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Printer issue

12 years ago

Back with a new issue. This is on a Dell Dimension 4700 with 2 GB of Ram and XP. I used the printer with no problems this morning. This afternoon, I went to print something and had a pop-up message :No Default Printer Found. I checked connections and all OK. I went to Control Panel and Printer Page is blank. There had been two printers installed, my laser and a Deskjet my daughter used. Now, nothing.

I moved the printer cable from a USB port on the rear of the machine to the one on the front. It recognized "new hardware" but still shows nothing in Control Panel.

It showed a pop-up message: RPC Server is unavailable.

Among all this I had a issue with a rogue program called Defender.exe which I sent to the Recycle Bin.

After getting that cleaned up, I rebooted, uninstalled the printer software and reinstalled it after another re-boot.

The installation failed as I was notified the Driver Installation failed.

I've installed this printer software on a laptop and other desktops with no problems. On some prior occasions, I've had to get an up-dated driver, but never a message like this one.

What is a solution other than a new computer? ;-)

Thanks in advance for your usual sound solutions.

Tom

Comments (4)

zep516
12 years ago
defender.exe is,

Added by the Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert Trojan.

I'd have the computer looked at. See Malware removal forum link below,

http://www.landzdown.com/index.php/topic,423.0.html

Removal instructions here for self help,

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-fake-microsoft-security-essentials-alert.
kudzu9
12 years ago
I hope you did more than just move defender.exe to the Recycle bin as an actual removal via antivirus software is necessary. Such rogue programs often do things like corrupt or hide in registry files, so more significant measures are in order.
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the PC Optimiser Pro is malware and has to be treated as such so using a remover program that will actually take on the job and do a full removal including the hundreds of entries this nasty puts into your registry is essential, using the regular uninstaller will not do the trick. You need to be rid of this thing and it is likely where a lot of your problems are coming from. You have a malware infection. If you want help to run some scans and see what else may be happening in addition to that being installed then I would suggest heading to LandzDown and posting your own thread in this linked area Analysis and Malware Removal you will need to register first, if you need any help let me know I am there also. I think it would be a very good idea seeing the issues are having to go ahead and let the team at LZD help you run some scans to see just what all has installed and what has been affected. This is my best suggestion to you. You will be helped step by step to clean it from your pc. If you want to try using revo and hope it clears it fully here is that link Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware When was the last time you ran a fully updated malwarebytes scan on this pc?
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Hi, Ensure that the cables are properly connected; you need to ensure that your printer is properly connected, and plugged in, and also the cable is accurately connected to the computer as well. Check the power; make sure that the printerÃ¯Â¿Â½s power is switched on, ensure that all the computer necessary computer components are also turned on. Make sure that the hardware is properly plugged in, and also turned on. Apply troubleshooting. A troubleshooter is a tool, which is generated automatically and which can easily fix the problems that occur with your system. Thus, if you are coming across different issues related to your printer, then you can consult the troubleshooter. You require driver applications to run your hardware devices. Make sure that the drivers are not outdated, corrupt, or incompatible, resulting in disrupting the communication between the printer and the computer. Always make sure that you are making use of the most recent and latest device drivers, and also that are compatible with your system requirements and specifications, as this can be extremely useful in resolving printer issues.
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samtom_gw
Original Author
12 years ago
I appreciate the previous input about the Defender which I had taken care of previously.

However, my lack of a printer still exists.

Some guidance would be appreciated.

Many thanks,
PKponder TX Z7B
12 years ago
I would try recycling (starting and stopping) the print spooler and RPC services if I were you.

Open Control Panel and then open Administrative Tools and then Services. The services are in alpha order so find Print Spooler, right click on it and select Stop,,,wait until it's stopped, then right click and select Start. Repeat the step with Remote Procedure Call (RPC). Try again to install the printer, by unplugging the USB from the computer side, restarting Windows and then plugging it back in.

If the steps to clear the print spooler don't work, there are some more detailed instructions for doing this through the run line that I can provide if needed.

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