Admin Security / Hardware Install problem

[rasETL]

I have a stand-alone Desktop running XP Pro. I seem to have a problem with my Admin Security.

I installed a new printer, but the install did not totally complete. The printer works fine, but now I get the Hardware Wizard telling me it found new hardware to install - it tries, but comes back saying it did not complete successfully due to ACCESS DENIED! It continues to come up and I can't stop it! Unfortunately I do not get to the box where the "Never Load this Hardware" check box appears.

I believe that is the reason the original install with the CD did not complete totally - seems just enough to load the print drivers. This is a multi-function printer and I have not tried the Fax, or Scan functionality.

In addition, when Restarting the PC, I have occasionally been getting a message box when I try to log in saying my account has been locked out and I need to contact an Administrator. I cannot fiure out how to "unlock" a locked account.

I do have two accounts set up, and both have admin rights, but this has not been a problem until recently. I get the same "Access Denied" message from the Hardware Wizard under both User accounts.

Frankly, I think my problems are due to the install of a Security patch I downloaded from the Microsoft Update site.

I tried deleting my account then re-adding it, but it appears the account was never really deleted, just turned off, because when I added it back my old settings appeared.

Does anyone know how to really delete a User account, or have any other ideas?

 

[bcastner]

Q2. "Does anyone know how to really delete a User account, or have any other ideas?"

Remove the user. Then remove the profile. The latter job is taken care of by right-clicking My Computer, Properties, Advanced, User Profiles - Settings, and deleting the old profile.


Q1. There can be several reasons for the Hardware Wizard to give you an Access Denied. If the filestore is NTFS it is possible that there are only System permissions to c:\windows\system32\spooler and the subfolders. You can use Windows Explorer to right-click the folder, Properties, Security and add the Administrative Group as owners with full permissions.

More likely it is that the spooler service is active with the printer driver. When you start the machine and see the New hardware wizard, just say no.

Then:

Start, Run, net stop spooler

Use Control Panel, Add new hardware to scan and install the driver. If this is an HP or Lexmark printer, this error can occur if the printer is connected to the computer when trying to install the drivers. The process is to install the drivers completely before connecting the printer.

Do not forgot to re-enable the spooler:

Start, run, net start spooler

 

[bcastner]

Also, be sure to read this MS KB:

http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q298370

 

[rasETL]

Thanks for the info...

One of the things I forgot to mention is that the New Hardware found message shows up as a "balloon" over the bottom taskbar and not as the first Hardware Wizard screen. Because of this, I cannot say No because once I click on the balloon, the wizard tries to start the install.

And, by the way, the Printer is a HP Inkjet. I saw the link bcastner included in a previous thread - thanks for incuding it here. Unfortuantely, until I figure out the Access Denied message, I won't be able to do much with that info.

 

[bcastner]

One source of Access Denied is if the HP Printer installs a Task tray icon. Right-click and exit the printer monitor, or remove it from MSCONFIG, Startup tab. You do not need the monitor application to use the printer.