Printer won't install

[Peano]

Running Win XP, SP3.

The printer is a Brother HL1440 laser.

I've used this printer on the same system for a couple of years. Yesterday I reformatted C: and reinstalled Windows/SP3.

When I plug the printer in, Windows recognizes new hardware. I put the Brother CD in the drive and Windows appears to install the printer and load the drivers. But it ends with this error message: A error occurred during the installation of this device. Access is denied.

I've also tried installing it directly from the CD. But when I go to Start > Settings > Printers and faxes, the printer doesn't show. If I click "Add a printer," I start the process described above.

Can anyone suggest a way I can get out of this loop and get the printer installed?

Thanks very much

[rong]

Have you tried disconnecting the printer, you will probably have to then restart the computer, then load the software followed by the printer

[Peano]

Have you tried disconnecting the printer, you will probably have to then restart the computer, then load the software followed by the printer

Yes, I tried disconnecting the printer (parallel port), shutting down, reconnecting the printer while powered down, then restarting the computer. Windows recognizes new hardware, tries to install, and ends with the same error message.

I'm nearly at my wit's end on this.

Thanks for you reply, though.

[Hb_Kai]

And the printer is turned on? :D

Try repairing the installation with the CD.

[Peano]

And the printer is turned on? :D

Yes, it's turned on. When I boot up Windows, it wakes the printer up, so I know the OS "sees" the printer to that extent.

Try repairing the installation with the CD.

Do you mean the Brother CD? It doesn't have any repair options. Just the install option, user manual, tutorial for printer maintenance, etc.

I also tried downloading drivers from the Internet, but they didn't work either.

[andsome]

I have ALWAYS installed printers with them switched off. Switch on part way through the installation when instructed to do so. :D

[Peano]

I have ALWAYS installed printers with them switched off. Switch on part way through the installation when instructed to do so. :D

Thanks very much for your suggestion. I tried it, but no luck.

I went to the Brother site and downloaded a package of the latest drivers for my printer model. This included a setup.exe which I ran and which seemed to install fine. It ran straight through with no error messages.

But then when I go to Start > Settings > Printers, no pinter is shown. So I click on "Add a printer" and this takes me right back into the Windows hardware wizard loop -- which ends with the same error message posted earlier.

I also get error messages that include "Cannot copy BROHL144.PPD".

So I'm still floundering around with this.

Someone has suggested that I uninstall SP3 and try to install the printer under SP2. Perhaps that's next ....

Thanks agin.

[Hb_Kai]

Does it say anything in the user manual?

Here's their support page; http://www.brother.co.uk/g3.cfm/s_page/68510

Go through (if there are any) system requirements, FAQ's, try to find a support forum on google, and if you can't find any more answers on forums, websites, etc, contact them themselves.

After Googling the error code I also found this page, which was the only one Google found. :D

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/158652...-generic-driver

[Peano]

Does it say anything in the user manual?

Here's their support page; http://www.brother.co.uk/g3.cfm/s_page/68510

Go through (if there are any) system requirements, FAQ's, try to find a support forum on google, and if you can't find any more answers on forums, websites, etc, contact them themselves.

After Googling the error code I also found this page, which was the only one Google found. :D

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/158652...-generic-driver

Thank you. Sounds like he's in exactly the same boat as I'm in. And not a paddle in sight. I have no idea what to do about this, except perhaps buy a new printer.

[Hb_Kai]

I don't think buying a new printer is the resolution... Are you still on the guarantee for it?

First, before changing/buying a printer, go through what the other people on the other forum said, trying the stuff they suggested.

[Alan2273]

Just a thought, when you first installed this printer, were you on SP1, SP2 or SP3.

If you were on SP1 or 2, uninstall the latest service pack and try it again, then reinstall the latest service pack

[Peano]

I don't think buying a new printer is the resolution... Are you still on the guarantee for it?

First, before changing/buying a printer, go through what the other people on the other forum said, trying the stuff they suggested.

The printer is at least four years old, so returning it isn't an option. I might try some of those things that I haven't tried, but it seems like a very long shot to me.

Thanks for you suggestions.

[Hb_Kai]

I think Alan's post would be the best idea actually.

[Peano]

Just a thought, when you first installed this printer, were you on SP1, SP2 or SP3.

If you were on SP1 or 2, uninstall the latest service pack and try it again, then reinstall the latest service pack

I was on SP3, and I installed it before I tried to install the printer. Someone else made this suggestion, so I'll give it a try tomorrow. When the printer was first installed, I was on SP2.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll follow up on what happens.

[andsome]

Just a thought, when you first installed this printer, were you on SP1, SP2 or SP3.

If you were on SP1 or 2, uninstall the latest service pack and try it again, then reinstall the latest service pack

I was on SP3, and I installed it before I tried to install the printer. Someone else made this suggestion, so I'll give it a try tomorrow. When the printer was first installed, I was on SP2.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll follow up on what happens.

Before uninstalling anything, it is possible that some form of corruption from the incorrect installation attempt has been left behind. Try running C Cleaner first, including the registry cleaner part. C Cleaner has NEVER caused any problems for me in several years of use, and is most effective. When offered the option to save before cleaning the registry, accept it. :D

[Peano]

Well, the sticking point seems to be a driver that I can't find anywhere.

From Brother, I downloaded the driver package for the HL-1440. I decided to try installing without using the Windows automated procedure. I directed the installer to the file with the Brother drivers, but it stops every time with this error message: Cannot copy BRPPROC.DLL. It isn't in the Brother package, and I can't find it anywhere.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I'll probably just buy a new printer.

[Hb_Kai]

Did you try Alan's suggestion?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I decided to try installing without using the Windows automated procedure.

Have you tried to just install the normal way (run the downloaded installer)?

[Peano]

Did you try Alan's suggestion?

Yes, I uninstalled SP3 but ran into the same dilemma when trying to install under SP2.

Next, I switched from a parallel port to USB and tried again. Got new error messages about couldn't copy specific drivers. I forced the installer to search in a package of drivers I had downloaded, and also on the Brother CD that came with the printer. I also got a dialog box warning about usigned drivers, but I told it to go ahead with the install anyway. Things got a bit confused at the point, but I somehow found all the drivers the installer needed, and the printer works now.

I don't know whether switching to USB was the key or not, since the printer always ran fine on the parallel port. But if someone else encounters install problems with a printer, that change might be worth a try.

Thanks again to all for you suggestions.