Any HP USB prntr setup fails Vista SP1 The specified port is unknown

[t3itsupport]

Hello,

I created an unattended install of Windows Vista SP1 and staged all drivers for all hardware we have as part of this install.

This includes our printers - 23(!) in total, all HP - and not *one* of them will want to install via USB.

But, the same printer and those that are connected to the network; I am able to find them over the network and install on the same/similar machine(s) without any issues. The network install is done by creating a TCP/IP port "Add a printer > Add a local printer > Create a new port > Standard TCP/IP Port > and supplying the appropriate values for the printer on the network."

Here is what happens when I plug in a printer to the USB port:

Step 1 ( Screenshot here:

http://imagebin.ca/view/msVqDz.html

)
~~~~~~
- Windows Vista SP1 finds the printer and I see the "Installing device driver..." notification in the system tray, which I click to see it display the following information:

DOT4 USB Printing Support Ready to Use
IEEE 1284.4 compatible printer Ready to Use
Generic IEEE 1284.4 printing support Failed

Failed appears after the install process has terminated. IIRC, it says it is waiting for user input or something similar before it fails.

Step 2 ( Screenshot here:

http://imagebin.ca/view/BS5Se2d.html

)
~~~~~~
So, I am now prompted with 3 options:

1) Locate and install driver software (recommended)
2) Ask me again later
3 Don't show this message again for this device.

I religiously opt for option 1 - Locate and install driver software (recommended)

Step 3 ( Screenshot here:

http://imagebin.ca/view/aO3hU5zq.html

)
~~~~~~
I get a lengthy error message that states:

"Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device

Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.

HP LaserJet 1150 (<--- Yup, it knows what printer I am attempting to install)

The specified port is unknown"

If you know the manufacturer of your device, you can visit its website and check the support section for driver software"

---------------------------

I also noticed one bizarre thing in the Event Viewer. Even before I opted for Option 1 (Locate and install driver software) in Step 2, PrintSpooler reports that it was unable to setup the printer and it was deleted. Here is a run down on what Event Viewer got to say:

"Driver Management has concluded the process to add Service dot4 for Device Instance ID USB\VID_03F0&PID_0F17\00CNCB143284 with the following status: 0.

Driver Management has concluded the process to add Service dot4usb for Device Instance ID USB\VID_03F0&PID_0F17\00CNCB143284 with the following status: 0.

Driver Management concluded the process to install driver FileRepository\dot4.inf_35726dac\dot4.inf for Device Instance ID USB\VID_03F0&PID_0F17\00CNCB143284 with the following status: 0.

Driver Management has concluded the process to add Service Dot4Print for Device Instance ID DOT4\VID_03F0&PID_0F17&REV_0100&PRINT\6&141F245E&0&0 with the following status: 0.

Driver Management concluded the process to install driver FileRepository\dot4prt.inf_78ea7699\dot4prt.inf for Device Instance ID DOT4\VID_03F0&PID_0F17&REV_0100&PRINT\6&141F245E&0&0 with the following status: 0.

Printer HP LaserJet 1150 was deleted, and users will no longer be able to print to this printer. No user action is required.
To stop logging information events for the print spooler, in Control Panel, open Printers, right-click a blank area of the window, click Run as Administrator, click Server Properties, click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Log spooler information events check box.

Printer HP LaserJet 1150 will be deleted. No user action is required.
To stop logging warning events for the print spooler, in Control Panel, open Printers, right-click a blank area of the window, click Run as Administrator, click Server Properties, click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Log spooler warning events check box.

Driver Management concluded the process to install driver FileRepository\prnhp001.inf_2ade4966\prnhp001.inf for Device Instance ID DOT4PRT\VID_03F0&PID_0F17&REV_0100\7&91D104C&0&1 with the following status: 1796."

Some more background
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- All installation is done as an Administrator
- All drivers that were staged as part of Vista SP1 were downloaded from HP's website
- All drivers are PCL 6

What I have done thus far
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- I have attempted the same procedure on dissimilar machines in terms of make and model
- I have attempted the same procedure on different but similar machines, same make and model
- Have cleaned the spooler and used the scrubber utility to clean any HP driver

So, that is where I am - no where.

Any help or direction is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Michael52x]

Any vista patches or updates installed?
If they are all networked, why USB?
Try another 1150 printer?

"Impatience will reward you with dissatisfaction" RMS Cosmics'97

 

[t3itsupport]

Michael52x

> Any vista patches or updates installed?
I doubt if any patch would have caused this. But, FWIW it never worked even before the machine was patched with any updates.

> If they are all networked, why USB?
Not all of them are on the network and only some of them are network capable.

The test was to see if a printer that fails to install over USB, will it install over the network. This is to find if the driver for that specific printer is corrupt. And, they all install fine over the network. So, it is not the driver that is corrupt.

> Try another 1150 printer?
Yes, I did try not one but close to 3-4 1150 printers and other 1xxx series printers as well. They all fail. I also experimented with different machines, make, models etc

I am clueless

 

[hpwizzard]

Microsoft has announced that they are experiencing issues with "certain USB devices" which includes HP printers...
A KB article is available here ->

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929711/en-us

The KB article does not reveal anything worth mentioning about the issue nor when or how to expect a solution.

The problem lies in the recognition of the attached device where the needed virtual USBdotX port driver is not generated correctly as expected.
There are a few known workarounds in place for some of the HP devices affected but they are are quite complex to follow.
Let me know if you are interested in these whitepapers.