Seems to be one issue after another.. but hopefully this is minor one...
'used' to have a printer, but after various scares, scans, clean ups, etc.. Now cannot install a printer.. I click on 'add a printer' and get box saying operation could not be completed..
Win XP sp2
Updated files,
Norton systemworks premier 6, system mechanic 6, ms defender, adaware, spybot...

What printer is it?
Is the printer plugged straight into your PC or is it shared on a network?

It could just be that the printer drivers aren't installed properly. Did you get a disk with the PC? Alternatively you should be about to download the drivers off the printer manufactorer's webpage.

Printer was plugged in and turned on.. XP would not even let me have the opportunity to install a printer.. as soon as I clicked on 'install printer', I got the operation error message. It's a mute point now as I tried to repair and it messed up the entir sheebang.. so I just started all over with a fresh install... thanks for trying guys, I appreciate your promptness... rest assured I will be having more probs later.. lol

You must have administator privileges to change any system properties (install software, drivers). And, make sure you have enable "view hidden files" which may be useful to find subdirs (most driver dirs have "wdm" in their name)