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Q234530: Unable to Change the Specified Driver for a Network Printer

Article: Q234530
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 11-JUN-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition 
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IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS
========

When you try to change the specified driver on the General tab in a network
printer's properties, the following error message may be displayed:

  Unable to change to the specified driver. Original settings will be restored.

Additionally, when you print a test page and close the printer's properties, the
following error message may be displayed:

  Printer settings could not be saved. The printer driver is unknown.

CAUSE
=====

This behavior occurs when Lanman Print Services is listed after third-party
print providers in the Order value in the following registry key:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Print/Providers

RESOLUTION
==========

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems
that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot
guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor
incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, move Lanman Print Services to the top of the list in the
Order value in the following registry key:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Print/Providers


Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch
Version           : winnt:4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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