why can't i add a printer

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

billruelas wrote:
> Recently, al my printers were disinstalled and I can no longer install
> printers. The prots are fine. I can not print from USB, Parallel, or
> even network. When I try to add a printer in XP, I get a message
> stating: "Could not perform Operation." I know the problem is not the
> port or a specific printer. I need this...I'm a student and finals
> are next week!

Does this help?

This is generally caused by the Print Spooler not being started.

Bring up a Command Prompt. You may remember it being called a DOS prompt,
way back in the days of WIndows95 and 98. We can't really call it a DOS
prompt now, since DOS hasn't really been present in Windows since Windows ME
was released, but it does look similar!

You can't find Command Prompt? It's in Start, Program Files, Accessories.
It brings up a windows of its own.

Type: net start spooler (and remember to hit enter!)

Now go back and try the Add Printer Wizard again...