Devices and Printers Dialog Box Empty

Anonymous

When I open my "Devices and Printers" dialog box, it is empty; nothing shows up and the item listing says "0 items".

The devices and printers showed up in the Devices and Printers dialog box earlier, but now are gone from the dialog box. However, they are still in the system as everything seems to work. The problem comes with trying to set the preferences for any of the devices or printers since they can't be seen or accessed.

Anyone got any ideas of how to get the devices and printers to show up again?

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous

Devices and printers will show one device when you have configured multiple printers for the same device. There is a fly out menu to get to all the other printers on the device. Use the spooler teams UI, printmanagement.msc to view all local printers on Pro and Ultimate.

The old printers folder can be launched if you are running Home versions.

Open a command prompt and paste this in.

start shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\0::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}

Alan Morris Windows Printing Team; Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here: http://support.microsoft.com/search/Default.aspx?adv=1

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Anonymous

I am having the same problem. I did a clean install from Vista and the computer has worked fine for weeks. Today, my devices and printer window is empty. I can still print from some applications, but Windows Live Mail gives me an error when I select print:

'an error has occurred in the script on this page'

line:291

char: 1

error: interface not registered

Code: 0

URL: res://ieframe.dll/preview.js

Do you want to continue running scripts on this page - Yes or No?

Barry

By the way, no new hardware has been installed recently.

I found another post that solved my problem. I was about to give up and re-install Windows 7, but tried this and it worked.

Go to: http://iefaq.info/index.php?action=artikel&cat=42&id=133&artlang=en

for the CMD file and explanation.

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142 additional answers

Anonymous

2010-03-09T11:25:15+00:00

Alan... what can I say.

Thank you for the post.

I'm with an XP machine right now... a new W7 in few days will let me try your command and see for my self. All other W7 PC's I made, are in use by other people, with new HP Drivers, and with no problems so far.

Maybe some new threads about this could make some noise.

As OEM W7 user, I think I can't call Microsoft support, and anyway, here in Portugal I don't know if it would be a very interesting way. Microsoft is a so Huge enterprise, that I think we are all very lucky that you show up, and with a simple and BIG surprising command that could make all the difference.

I guess this thread speak for it self in various ways.

Here are some of the solutions for getting D+P populated window when it get's empty. However, the problem is still not identified.

Regards

Paulo Miranda
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Anonymous

2010-03-09T00:10:55+00:00

I already got shot down on this. You can call MS support and voice your concern or send email. My voice is not loud enough. Part of this is lack of the squecky wheel and I don't count since I work here.

Community revolution. Make some noise. If I'm not the only one complaining, it will make more of an impact.

Alan Morris Windows Printing Team; Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here: http://support.microsoft.com/search/Default.aspx?adv=1
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Anonymous

2010-03-08T19:16:35+00:00

Alan, I figured out how to setup a desktop shortcut so I'm good on all points. Thank you again very much. I didn't think that I could setup a shortcut to a command, but it works fine.
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