Installing Local USB printer in Vista 32 - Access is Denied?

Hello, this is my first post in the forum! I have been researching forseveral hours each day and am getting desperate for an answer. I am a computer technician for a friend. We have been trying to install a Brother HL-2270dwprinter to his Vista 32-system.

He has had printers installed in the past with absolutely no trouble. But this time he ran the installation software for a local USB printer and it pretended to install properly, without him installing anything extra...just windows plug-n-play. But then when he prints, he gets this error: Windows Cannot Connect to the printer: ACCESS IS DENIED! This is not a network printer. It is not a problem with the printer since I was able to install the printer on my system that is exacly like his.

Anyways, I have tried many things: uninstall all printers/drivers; switch default printer; install basic drivers; install different versions of the drivers; make new administrator user account; delete drivers via FILE-->Server Properties --> Drivers; Add printer [have disc]...I am running out of options since every process ends in an error.

Is it possible to remove all drivers and then re-install them from SafeMode? That is my next step. But I am at a loss for what to do next. He is 500 miles away, so I don't feel like reinstalling his whole OS!! Is this the only option?

Any input is appreciated! Hope this post isn't tooo long!

Thanks in advance!

MlrSupport

Welcome
Lets see if it is a permissions issue. This administrator is the true boss of the computer and needs no permission.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html

Okay... update here... I used the hidden administrator account on my computer several times in the past 2 days and fixed many strange problems!! - Thanks for that! But today when my friend was finally able to let me try it on his computer, remote via Windows Live Mesh, I enabled the hidden account and as full administrator, I STILL got the Windows Cannot Connect to the printer: ACCESS IS DENIED! Message. I don't know where to turn. Any suggestions? Please!!

Is there a way to - I don't know if this is the write way to say it - if there is a way to "rebuild" that printer section of the OS? Like a total reset operation, as would happen if I flattened his whole system. Is the only way to make things "like new" in the printer arena, to reload his whole OS? I am still looking for a way around that!

I hope someone has another idea... I was very excited about the hidden administrator account. Just disappointed that his computer insists on its own way!

Thanks in advance!

MLRSupport

Open another user account, give permission and see if it works.

Unfortunately, I tried that also!

Trash that sad face, we will fix this. Try it in safe mode.

After safe mode, try these
Troubleshoot network printer problems
Be sure it is not being shared, if that is your wish.

Does the printer work locally now on your friend's system? If not get him to try another USB port. If it works on your system and not his, then his USB port may be flaky.

Thank you for your suggestions! I will give it a try on Tuesday, since he's not going to be at his computer until then. I didn't know you could install a printer in safe mode!! That is a great idea. I will also switch USB ports...I am ready to try anything! :D Thanks!

Hello again... I tried installing the printer drivers in SafeMode, but the same thing continued to happen... And we also switched out the USB, and no difference... Any more ideas before I have to go back to my face?!

Thanks again...