Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of thedslguy
thedslguyFlag for United States of America

asked on

hpzipm12.exe error

Hello experts

I have a client who is using a HP2200 PSC on a new Windows XP Pro machine.  When he tries to print he gets an error window (Window is titled RTL) saying "Unable to start driver for HPZipm12.exe (HPZipm12.exe)".  If he clicks the "OK button the error re-appears.  It does this 3 times then goes away and the printer starts and prints the document.

I've researched this file and all I've found about it is that is isn’t spyware.... that it's a legitimate file placed by hp for this printer.  No information anywhere about how to clear the error and remove the problem.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the printer drivers and associated software 3 times and still get the error.  Norton scans nightly and I've run Ad Aware and Spybot just to be sure I haven’t overlooked something but it comes up clean.

I could sure use some insight.

Thanks

thedslguy
Avatar of Jonvee
Jonvee

thedslguy,
See if this thread helps.  Scroll down to sub-heading ..

“Unable to start driver for hpzipm12.exe” error messages..
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=buu00690
Try this and see if it helps...

“Unable to start driver for hpzipm12.exe” error messages
This error message will occur only in Windows 2000 and XP. The problem is related to user permissions levels. In order to be able to print, the user must have a security level of Power User or Administrator. This is a limiting factor imposed by Windows. To correct this problem do one of the following:
A person with administrative rights to the computer must change the user’s account information to give the user either a Power user or Administrator level of access to the computer.
The administrator of the computer must change the security level of all of the files in the WinNT\System32 folder to give everyone access. To change the security level:
Right-click the Start button and then click Explore.
Select the Windows or WinNT folder.
Right-click the System32 folder and then click Properties.
Select the Security tab. If you do not see a Security tab, you do not have administrative rights to the computer. Set the access level to Full Control for the necessary user group.
Quote:   This error message will occur only in Windows 2000 and XP. The problem is related to user permissions levels. In order to be able to print, the user must have a security level of Power User or Administrator. This is a limiting factor imposed by Windows. To correct this problem do one of the following:
A person with administrative rights to the computer must change the user’s account information to give the user either a Power user or Administrator level of access to the computer.
The administrator of the computer must change the security level of all of the files in the WinNT\System32 folder to give everyone access. To change the security level:
Right-click the Start button and then click Explore.
Select the Windows or WinNT folder.
Right-click the System32 folder and then click Properties.
Select the Security tab. If you do not see a Security tab, you do not have administrative rights to the computer. Set the access level to Full Control for the necessary user group.
Always happens, someone else posts before I see it.
GATOR420  ..  we were pretty close !!
Avatar of thedslguy

ASKER

Sorry, guys, no good.  I checked permissions and it's already everyone-full control.  Can't get any more open than that.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks

thedslguy
  >Unable to start driver for HPZipm12.exe (HPZipm12.exe)<

Scroll down ~75% in this next link and view the  "PROGRAM & MANUFACTURER" column referring to this exe file.
Quote:  HP PML Driver Service. Background task installed by the drivers for a variety of HP printers, ranging from the HP PSC 2100, 2200, 4100, and 6100 series of multifunction printers, to DeskJet 6600 and 6800 series, PhotoSmart series, All&#8209;in&#8209;One OfficeJets, etc...

...  and read on!    There are some useful suggestions there >

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist_h.htm
Investigating further.
It's suggested you " .. first ensure that your firewall allows this task to communicate &#8211; if your firewall is preventing the task from talking to things external to the PC then this task will not work properly .. "

Also check for printer driver updates!  
Note that if no good, you can disable this task from the Task List programs "Services" tab as described.
Try logging in as the administrator and see if you have the same problem. If not, I bet it is still a security related issue. You may need to add that user's account to the administrators group or the power users group.
  >I've uninstalled and reinstalled the printer drivers<

Noted, but what about printer updates(mentioned above)?

Try temporarily disconnecting Norton AV (to be sure there's no issue here)

As Hewlett&#8209;Packard themselves state :   &#8220;Most if not all printing functions will work without it, and print quality and speed are not affected by this. However, other functions of the printer driver may be disabled. If a feature is noticed to be missing, the PML driver service can be manually started as described above. Remember to disable the PML driver service again before restarting the computer&#8221;.
GATOR420  ..  08:05 and we're in sync again !
I've installed the printer update from HP.  I've gone in as administrator, I've configured the firewall for the HP software, I've disabled NAV and I still have the problem.  It also comes up when I try to open the HP Toolbox.

Still hoping for a solution short of formatting it

thanks

thedslguy
thedslguy  ..  apologies for delay in reply, but have you tried running the system file checker.  
Select Start > Run     and then type SFC /scannow, see if that helps.
 
If no improvement and you get no further practical suggestions, you may wish to consider a Repair Install, long before you consider formatting.
   
This is a particularly popular link for the 'repair', which includes the appropriate warnings:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Well, I found out what the problem was.  I say "was" because I got it fixed.

The "PML Driver 412" entry had been disabled.  I had to set it to turn on automatically and then start the service.

Now it prints without a hitch.

I got the fix from the HP site.

I appreciate the suggestions, everyone.  Unfortunately I have to close the question without awarding points because I solved it myself after trying the suggestions.

Thanks, everyone for your efforts.

thedslguy
dslguy, could you post the webpage where you found the solution? I would just like to review it for my own personal knowledge. -Thanks
Gator:

I went to tech support at HP and sent an email.  Here is the response:

            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Phil

Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.

I see from your e-mail you get a message stating, 'Unable to start
driver
for HPZip12m.exe' when you open the HP Director of the HP PSC 2210xi
ALl-in-one.

Phil, I recommend you to perform the steps given below and check.

*  Go to Start -> Run.

*  In the Open field type "services.msc"(without quotes).

*  Click on OK.

*  In the Services" window, locate the "PML Driver 412" entry.

*  Right-click on it and click on Properties.  Ensure that the "Startup
Type" is "Automatic". If not, select "Automatic".

*  Click on Apply and then on OK.

If you have further questions, please reply to this message and we will be happy to help you.

You may receive an e-mail survey regarding your e-mail support experience.  We would appreciate your feedback.  

HP Total Care is a J.D. Power and Associates Certified Technology Service and Support Center, recognized for consistently providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience".  For information on keeping your HP and Compaq products up and running, please visit our Web site
at:

http://www.hp.com/go/totalcare

Sincerely,

HP Total Care


              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I followed those instructions, teh service was disabled.  After choosing to start automatically I had to choose "Apply" before I could start the service.  Once it was started the error stopped showing up.  

Pretty good tip, eh?

thedslguy
Interesting stuff, thanks for the update!
Netminder:     Agreed.   Recommendation: PAQ/refund.     Thank you.

thedslguy:      Good one!    Glad you've fixed it, and thanks for the feedback.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of RomMod
RomMod

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial