Can't install any printers on Win 7 computer. Get error Windows cannot connect to the printer 0x00000002

local printers or network
are you adding by name or IP address
what model HP
Print Server involved?
is t a server? Windows server 2003?

this issue can have varied causes
need different driver...elevated permissions

even asynchronous printing issues

see not below from technet....

Hi Everyone,
My name is John Dickson and I work on the Performance Team specializing in printing support.

We may have found a resolution to this issue.  Starting in Windows Vista and in Windows 7 we introduced Asynchronus RPC which speeds up communcation to a Windows 2008/2008 R2 Server.  Windows Server 2003 doesn't support this new protocol and when Windows 7 trys to communicate  using Async RPC,  this is most like causing the temporary loss of communcation.

The result is the blank driver tab and port tab.

The work around is to disable Async RPC by adding the following registry key on the Windows 7/Vista clients:

 
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\EnabledProtocols
 
Type: DWORD
 
Data: 6

Remove the printer. Then, go to Printer Server Properties, Drivers Tab and delete the drivers (of the printers you wish to reinstall). You get to this menu in Devices and Printers by clicking on any printer just once. A new menu comes up.

Restart the computer after this and reinstall the printer. Does it work now?

.... Thinkpads_User

Network printer
Adding it by name via Control panel add printers
Correction it is all printers not just HP.  The HP model is Cp2025
Yes there is a print server, 2008 R2

I'll try the suggestions and post soon.

Along with the suggestions, try installing the printer locally on the Windows 7 machine. Install it as LPT1 (existing connection), do not print a test page, and then network it after to the print server.

.... Thinkpads_User

Try stopping and starting the printspooler


open the cmd with elevated priveleges

type: net spooler stop
type: net spooler start

-or-

windows key +r
type: services.msc
Locater the "Printer Spooler"
Stop and then Start.


-then-

Try to reconnect to the network printer

I was able to stop and start the spooler and could add the printer.  After a reboot it shows the printer as "off line".
I tried to add another printer and get the original error.
I tried deleting the drivers and it fails stating the driver is in use.
I stopped the spooler and still couldn't delete the drivers.  
I also noticed there are two drivers for the same printer.
I didn't try adding the registry key yet, because this used to work just fine.

It is happening on another computer in the same department.  All printers show "offline"

The spooler on the Print server was stopped after I rebooted it.  I'm still testing to see if it will stay running.

If you cannot remove it lets try this...


Go to Start

Right-click on cmd

Select Runas administrator

type printui /s /t2

Select the driver and click remove.

It is working after rebooting the print server and restarting the print spooler.  I'll post later after I make sure the spooler doesn't stop.

Thanks

@jrsitman - You are most welcome and I was happy to help.

... Thinkpads_User