Devices and Printers Dialog Box Empty

Anonymous
2009-10-30T22:04:54+00:00

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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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
2010-03-07T06:22:04+00:00

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
2009-11-27T18:23:06+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-08T11:11:46+00:00

    Well, 5alarm: Alan Morris show up... and I guess he posted a solution for you.  Quite interesting I must say, and an important piece of information.

    I'm glad someone from MSFT show up. So, thanks Alan. You explanation seems to fit 5alarm problem, and could explain the D+P window behavior for that particular situation.

    I'll take a look to that too.

    It's good to see someone from MSFT around, so thanks again.

    Paulo Miranda

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-03-07T04:02:48+00:00

    Paulo,

    That's what's really messed about this situation. I can't remove the printers that don't show up in DP. At least I have not found any way to do so.

    I guess I should be glad just to be able to use all the printers even if they aren't showing in DP.

    It's pretty pathetic that I am being thankful for having partial functionality. What is up with Microsoft? I have seen this problem posted by others on other sites as well.

    Thanks for your responds.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-03-07T00:51:30+00:00

    Well... I was thinking... Windows 7 use a new way to detect devices and printer to populate the D+P window dinamicly, never used before.

    That's why (I think) things are not running as they should. I'm wondering if the two way printer install (both USB and Network) aren't messing Windows?

    I'm just especulating. If I were you, I'll try in a new Windows 7 PC install that printers but only USB OR Network, never both. I don't know if you can uninstall them, but in a fresh Windows 7 installation, thats a good test.

    Hope you get it!

    Keep posting...

    PM

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