Add Printer Wizard May Not Display List of Printers (158356)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q158356

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Add Printer Wizard to add a new local printer, the Manufacturer and Printer lists may be empty.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Ntprint.inf file is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

Expand the Ntprint.inf file and run CHKDSK to check for inconsistencies on the drive using the following steps:
  1. Rename Ntprint.inf found in the %SystemRoot%\Inf folder.
  2. Schedule a CHKDSK /F on the system partition using the following syntax from the command prompt:

    CHKDSK /F C:

    NOTE: If the system partition is a large partition, this may take several minutes up to several hours to complete.
  3. Shut down and restart the system.
  4. Expand the INF file using the following syntax from the command prompt:

    expand <drive>\<platform>\ntprint.in_ %SystemRoot%\Inf\ntprint.inf

    where <drive> is the CD-ROM drive and <platform> is the system architecture that you have installed (that is, i386, MIPS, Alpha, PPC).
  5. Verify that you now have a complete list of printers by using the Add Printer Wizard.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/3/2003
Keywords:kbprint KB158356
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