LPT1/COM1/COM2 Printer Ports Missing

[sand510]

Hi All,

I am having a problem with my printer ports. There does not appear to be the LPT or COM ports for me to select. This makes it impossible to attach a local printer to this computer. Also, the "local port type" does not exist when I try to create a new port.

I inherited this computer, so I do not know what happened to caused this to wipe.

I have checked the BIOs/Device Manager, all LPT and COM ports are enabled and drivers are installed.

I have checked the drivers, all are working.

I have checked the registry, the correct drivers are mapped.

I even did a Print Migration from a computer (exactly the same hardware/setup) that had all ports shown, and STILL the LPT and COM ports do not appear on this system.

I am using Microsoft Windows XP Pro Ver 2002 with Service Pack 3.

This is a Dell Precision PWS670 Dual Core if that matters.

Thanks for your help.

-SanD

 

[Guest]

What make/model of printer? What type of connection to the printer?

 

[saint19]

Hi newcomer and welcome to the Tom's hardware forum.

Are the ports activated in the device manager?

 

[sand510]

Hi All,

Thanks for looking.

Yes, ports are activated BIOS and shown in Device Manager.

Any local printer cannot be installed. The one that I am currently using is a HP1100, but I cannot even install a postscript printer because a lpt port is needed.

-Sandy

 

[pat mcgroin]

Here is a couple of links to look at and see if there is anything helpful in them.

http://www.modemsite.com/56k/xptip.asp

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/819036/en-us

 

[saint19]

Check in the firewall and your antivirus program.

 

[sand510]

Here is a screen shot of the server properties in the print spooler.

Notice... there are no local ports... LPT/COM/File are all missing.

AND the "local" port type is missing.

 

[Guest]

You're looking at the "Print Server" Properties and not the "Printer Properties".

 

[sand510]

Yes... I know. But you to see the available ports for all printers on this computer. There are no local ports.

 

[Ijack]

Have a look at this Knowledge Base article.

 

[sand510]

I saw that and I tried it out. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Ijack]

Looks OK. Have you checked that localspl.dll actually exists (it'll be in C:\Windows\System32)? Possibly it's been corrupted and needs to be replaced.