"Printer installation failed" error message when you try to install a printer from your Web browser

SYMPTOMS
On a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer, when you try to install a local intranet-based printer from your Web browser, you receive the following error message:
Printer installation failed. You do not have enough privilege to complete the printer installation on the local machine.
If you log on to the computer as an administrator or as a power user, and then you try to install the printer, you do not receive this error message.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe setting in Microsoft Internet Explorer is set to Enable for your local intranet. When this setting is set to Enable, Windows tries to create an Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) printer connection. Because an IPP printer connection requires the installation of a local print queue, the IPP printer connection is successful only if you are logged on as an administrator or as a power user. If you are logged on as a typical user, the IPP printer connection fails because your permissions are not sufficient.

Note This issue occurs in both Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows 2000 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];CNTACTMS

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 
   Date         Time    Version          Size      File name
   ----------------------------------------------------------
   27-Aug-2003  20:57   5.0.2195.6811    106,256   Oleprn.dll

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe setting for the local intranet is set to Disable or to Prompt, Windows creates a remote procedure call (RPC) printer connection when you try to connect to an intranet-based printer through your Web browser. In this scenario, printer installations are successful for both users and administrators because RPC printer connections use the Windows remote spooler.

To locate the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe setting, follow these steps:
  1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. To view your local intranet settings, click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
  5. Under Settings, locate the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe setting.
For more information about Web-based printing, visit the following Microsoft Web site to view the "Printer Connectivity Technical Overview" white paper:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/connectivity.mspx

For additional information about how hotfix packages are named, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

816915 New file naming schema for Microsoft Windows software update packages

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

The information in this article applies to:

Last Reviewed: 2/11/2004 (1.0)
Keywords:
kberrmsg kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbWin2000preSP5fix KB826978 kbAudITPRO
 
James K. Murray (MCSA, MCSD)
President
A. M. Software Services, Inc.
347.247.6680
JamesMurray@AMSoftwareServices.com
http://www.amsoftwareservices.net