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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

  1. Share a 64-bit print queue. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Log on by using your local administrator password.

    2. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

    3. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

      rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ilNote This command starts the Add Printer Wizard.


    4. 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.


    5. Follow the steps in the Add Printer Wizard to install the printer, and make sure that you share the printer.


    6. After you complete the installation of the network printer, type exit at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.

  2. Add the 32-bit printer driver. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Log on by using your domain administrator password.

    2. Click Start, click Run, type the path of the printer server, and then press ENTER.

    3. Right-click the Printer that you shared in step1, and then click Printer properties.

    4. Click the Sharing tab, and then click Additional Drivers.

    5. Click to select x86 Type 3 - User Mode.

    6. Click OK.

    7. Click Close.

Method 2

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Printers.

  2. Click Organize, point to Layout, and then click Menu Bar.

  3. On the File menu, click Server Properties.

  4. Click the Drivers tab, and then click Add.

  5. 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.

  6. Click Next, and then click Have Disk.

  7. 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

  8. Click Open, and then click OK.

  9. Under Printers, select the printer driver that you want to install.

  10. 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.

  11. Click Close.

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