Policy Enabled on your Computer that blocks NT 4.0 drivers

[criminalist]

I have been researching this issue for more than a week. I am installing an Epson ET-2800 printer. Yes, it is compatible with Windows 7, both 32 and 64. Yes, I have the correct drivers.

If I install it using the files downloaded from the site, I get the error: printer cannot be found. This is after it recognizes the printer and starts installing the drivers.

If I install it using the files from the included CD (I know, right, an included CD), I get the same error message.

It installs the scanner drivers without an issue. I can use it to scan, but not to print.

Since the printer is visible in Device Manager, I used that to install the driver, but I got a different error message: Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device... The printer driver is not compatible with a policy enabled on your computer that blocks NT 4.0 drivers".

When I used "Devices and Printers" to add a printer, I got the error message: "Windows can't install the EPSON ET-2800 Series kernel-mode print driver. To obtain a driver that is compatible with the version of Windows you are running, contact the manufacturer".

There is an option to install as a network printer, which I have used. I get the same error as using "Devices and Printers".

After each fail, a pop up tells me that the installation was successful, which it was not.

I take screen shots of all the error messages to do proper research for the problem.

Each time it fails, I remove all aspects and reboot the PC.

Epson tech support spent two hours on the phone with me. He walked me trough the exact steps I'd already taken, but I didn't want to tell him that. I thought he would have another method of installation after all the others failed.

 

[SIW2]

some things on tinternet
Solved: Driver not compatible with a policy enabled on your computer... - HP Support Community - 6237925

 

[criminalist]

Windows 7

I have already seen that. The first link is broken.

As I wrote, I have been researching the issue for over a week. I've already seen whatever is already available on the internet. Thank you.

 

[file3456]

Those instructions should get you going IF you follow them to a T. The first link is just about how to backup the registry in case there's an issue. I can tell you exactly how to do that. Just type regedit into Windows search under the Start orb. Now while in the registry click on "computer." Now go to File and Export. If you need to import the last registry full backup then simply chose the import option in the registry and navigate to where you saved the several l hundred megabyte registry backup file. I would also set a system restore point as an additional safety measure. To do that, go to Windows search and begin typing create a restore point.

If you would like to see the now dead link, then it's archived at the Wayback Machine here. (May be slow to load).

If you have any questions about the procedure outlined at the HP website then ask. Or ask at the HP website and point to that link. Specify exactly what doesn't work in the outlined step by step process to fix this issue.

 

[criminalist]

Thank you.

- - - Updated - - -

To solve the issue, I had to visit the microsoft catalogue and search for a specific update that was missing. My PC would not install the waiting updates, so I searched for the answer to that issue while waiting for a response in this forum for this issue.

The reason the other updates would not install is that one update was missing. After that missing update was installed, the others installed without issue.

After rebooting the PC for the hundredth time, I followed the steps in the above post. I already know how to backup a registry, so I only had to complete the rest of the instructions.

The printer finally installed, quite quickly actually, and works as it should.

Thank you for all your help.


Yes, I notified Epson that I resolved the issue; someone from tech support called and asked for instructions.