Couple problems w/new XP Pro installation

[SanDiegoPC]

I did a slipstreamed SP2 install on a PC the other day and never got a chance to try it out until this afternoon. It seems fine but for two issues; one of them is major:

First, the desktop background displays the windows build # and the SP2 update. Can't get rid of the text in the bottom right of the window.

Second though is a major issue: Cannot add printers. The printers applet is not in the control panel, nor in the start menu. I did a right click and customized the start menu, defaulting it to the 'classic' style and told it to EXPAND PRINTERS. After doing that, the ADD PRINTER button appears in the menu.

But when clicked however, nothing happens! Is there a registry trick I can do to FORCE this to work? How could the button appear but NOT WORK?

And what in the world caused the installation to not put printers on the menu - or in the control panel - by default? Why did I have to force it?

I hope I don't have to reload this PC again - these two issues didn't show up until after I loaded all the other software into it.


Thread moved from Software For Windows to Operating Systems.

AnandTech Moderator
mechBgon

 

[tcsenter]

Either there was something wrong with the original installation files or something was wrong with your slipstream method. There have been some hotfixes related to printer functionality after installing NET Framework or SP3. You might check Windows Update manually by going to Windows Update in your browser, then select Custom update rather than Express.

 

[SanDiegoPC]

What I'm looking for is someone that can tell me how to make that 'add printer' icon actually work.

 

[tcsenter]

Reinstall Windows correctly.

 

[tjmjr]

Sounds like a bad slipstream. I would try & make a new one, try the nlite one I've had good luck with that. Also, try a repair install over the existing installation when you make your new slipstream, it might save you from reloading your PC.