Missing Lpt Port inWindows

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Guest

I'm looking for an answer to a missing lpt port on my server 2003 box..
Service pack 4, all necessary updates have been applied..
I am using an older lexmark 1625 printer ( parallel only ).. It was working
fine and after a few system changes NOT RELATED TO PRINTING OR LPT HARDWARE..
the printer stopped working. I am using raid 5 drives for 100 gig total. have
a couple modems ( 1 rs232 - 1 usb ) server only has 2usb ports so I cannot
use last one ( besides printer is lpt only ).. I have thought about getting
an parallel to usb converter. Using DVD RW and Cd-rw as well..

I can see the port in device manager, and can remove and rescan for changes
and it is found. The ports will print from a dos prompt ( dir > lpt1 ) But
when using the windows add printer selections, the lpt ports are not on the
list to add a device. I have checked the following tech notes ( 255507,
155516, 181624, 323423, 302361 ) to no avail..


Tip, Hints, and Reasonable fees are all appreciated..

Thanks
Robert W..
 
I have seen this happen for two reasons.

The ports are deleted in the Port registry key or localspl.dll is no longer
set as the local port driver (KB 255507).

If the the Port list that the spooler reads has been removed from the
registry, you will need to edit the registry to get this information back.

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Ports

Add reg_sz value LPT1:

then stop and start the Print Spooler service in Admin Tools / Services

KB 255507 reference
the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Ports list is read by
localspl.dll
Local Port should point to this binary
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\Local Port\Driver
reg_sz = localspl.dll
--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
Alan Morris(MSFT) said:
KB 255507 reference
the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Ports list is read by
localspl.dll
Local Port should point to this binary
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\Local Port\Driver
reg_sz = localspl.dll
Click to expand...

I have had an exceedingly similar issue. This solution has got me part-way
there.

I had an Epson Photo 750 printer. The drivers didn't install properly and
removing the printer caused the issue described by the original poster. LPT1
appeared in the device manager but not in the ports available when
re-installing the printer driver. KB255507 got LPT1 back into the list of
available ports and the printer now installs OK.

However, when I print the print spooler starts but nothing reaches the
printer. I'm guessing that some other setting in the registry needs to be
cleared out but I'm not sure where to continue the process.

Any further advice?

Andrew
 
Alan Morris(MSFT) said:
KB 255507 reference
the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Ports list is read by
localspl.dll
Local Port should point to this binary
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\Local Port\Driver
reg_sz = localspl.dll
Click to expand...

I had an exceedingly similar issue which occurred after uninstalling an
Epson Photo 750 printer.

KB255507 resolved the missing LPT1 in the list of ports when re-installing.
localspl.dll had been changed to an Epson dll. However, now, although the
printer is installed, I cannot output anything to the printer. The print
spooler starts up but there appears to be no communication with the printer.

It looks as though something else is still needing correcting in the registry.

Any additional ideas to the above.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew
 
Sorry for the double post. My browser reported a failure and said try again
so I did :-(

Andrew
 
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