Symptoms
When you try to add one or more 32-bit printer drivers on a 64-bit printer server, you receive the following error message:
The folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible software driver for your device.
Resolution
To add one or more inbox 32-bit printer drivers on a printer server that is running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), or of Windows Server 2008, use one of the following methods.
Method 1
-
Share a 64-bit print queue. To do this, follow these steps:
-
Log on by using your local administrator password.
-
Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
-
At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ilNote This command starts the Add Printer Wizard.
-
In the Add Printer Wizard, click Add a local printer or Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer under Choose a local or network printer. -
Follow the steps in the Add Printer Wizard to install the printer, and make sure that you share the printer. -
After you complete the installation of the network printer, type exit at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.
-
-
Add the 32-bit printer driver. To do this, follow these steps:
-
Log on by using your domain administrator password.
-
Click Start, click Run, type the path of the printer server, and then press ENTER.
-
Right-click the Printer that you shared in step1, and then click Printer properties.
-
Click the Sharing tab, and then click Additional Drivers.
-
Click to select x86 Type 3 - User Mode.
-
Click OK.
-
Click Close.
-
Method 2
-
Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Printers.
-
Click Organize, point to Layout, and then click Menu Bar.
-
On the File menu, click Server Properties.
-
Click the Drivers tab, and then click Add.
-
Click Next, click to clear the x64 Type 3 - User Mode check box, and then click to select the x86 Type 3 - User Mode check box.
-
Click Next, and then click Have Disk.
-
Click Browse, and then select the files at the following location on an x86-based computer:
\\x86 Windows\c$\windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository\prn*.inf_{GUID}The following is an example of a file that may be at this location:
\\x86 Windows\c$\windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository\prnhp001.inf_5fecfc5e\prnhp 001.inf
-
Click Open, and then click OK.
-
Under Printers, select the printer driver that you want to install.
-
Click Next, and then click Finish.
Now, you should be able to see that the x86-based printer driver is installed under the Processor column. -
Click Close.
