I hope someone can help me with my printer driver

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

I am running Windows 7, and the printer is an HP LaserJet 1020. For some reason, the computer insisted that another, non-existent printer that it called HP LaserJet 1020 (Copy 1) was the printer it wanted to print to.

I removed all references to that printer using regedit, but now when I want to print, except from Word, it asks me to select a printer, and while HP Laserjet 1020 is the only choice, it seems to be acting as if it were not a valid choice. Word, for some reason, still lets me print from it.

Got any suggestions about what to do?

[TreasonousBastard]

1. regedit didn't remove the driver files so maybe...

reinstall the driver. The disk that came with the printer could be an old one for XP, so find the latest driver at HP's site and install it. Even if the disk said Win7, get a driver from the site because a lot of early releases for everything were buggy with Win7.

Deleting printers through the Control Panel is easier than with regedit, but I usually use Revo uninstaller http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. Some questions

How is the printer connected?
Is the printer in the list: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Devices and Printers??
Is the printer checked as default?

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

3. Some answers

How is the printer connected? If you mean it's plugged into a USB port, then it is. If you mean something else, I don't understand the question.

Is the printer in the list: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Devices and Printers?? Yes.

Is the printer checked as default? Yes.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

4. I have seen...

...things like this happen if the device changes connections. (New IP address for network connections, different port for USB connections) Have you moved the device to a different USB port? Have you added a USB hub between the original port and the printer? If so that could be the cause.

The way to add/remove printers is via Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Devices and Printers. Using regedit, as someone mentioned will not get the drivers. My best advice is to delete any current instances of this printer and reinstall it using the manufacture's software.

Best regards.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

5. Thanks, everyone. It's working

I removed the printer using the Control Panel; unplugged it from the computer, rebooted, plugged it back in and rebooted again. I was asked to supply a printer driver, so I went to HP's website, downloaded the driver, and plug & play worked as advertised. I now have a properly working printer.