Question
January 8, 2008 at 04:58 PM
jaymen

64-bit Printer Drivers on Windows 2003 R2 Std x64

by jaymen . Updated 18 years, 1 month ago

Greetings, all.

I can’t seem to install any 64-bit printer drivers on a Windows 2003 R2 Std x64 server. Regardless of the driver source (CD vs. download vs. built-in), I get the following error when I try to add a new printer:

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Printer driver was not installed. Windows cannot install this printer until your system administrator first installs a new driver for it on the print server. Or, to install a driver on your computer without the assistance of your system administrator, run the Print Troubleshooter and select the option that contains this message:

“The current printer driver is not compatible with a policy enabled on your computer that blocks Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 kernel-mode drivers.”
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If I try to install a 64-bit driver through Server Properties –> Drivers, I get the following error instead:

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Unable to install HP Color LaserJet 3600, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, x64 driver.
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Factors to consider:

1) I am logged on as the domain admin (this is the DC in a single server domain).

2) This server is also the Exchange 2007 Hub server with Edge Transport.

3) I have tried drivers for several different manufacturers, including the Generic Text Only printer.

4) I have changed both the Default Domain and Local policies as follows:
A) Computer Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> Printers –> “Disallow installation of printers using kernel-mode drivers” = Disable.

B) Computer Configuration –> Windows Settings –> Security Settings –> Local Policies –> Security Options –> “Devices: Unsigned driver installation behavior” = Silently Succeed.

C) Policy changes have been followed up with gpupdate /force and reboots.

5) All Microsoft Critical Updates are applied.

6) Help in Print Troubleshooter was of no help.

7) I have tried LPT, COM, and IP ports, with no change in results.

8) I exhausted HP Level 2 technical support.

Any advice or pointers would be highly appreciated.

jaymen

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