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'Unable to start driver for hpzpm12.exe' Error during Start-up in Windows 2000 and XP

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Issue
During start-up, the error message 'Unable to start driver for hpzipm12.exe' displays on the computer. After closing the error message, the All-in-One might not print correctly or allow access to the card reader.
Solution one: Check and update permission levels
This error message might be related to user permissions levels. To print, the user must have a security level of Power User or Administrator . Follow these steps to update the user's permission level:
  • A person with administrative permissions to the computer must change the user’s account information to give the user either Power User or Administrator permissions.
  • The administrator of the computer must change the security level of all of the files in the WinNT\System32 folder to grant all users access, if appropriate. Use these steps to change the security level:
    1. Right-click the Start button and then click Explore .
    2. Select the Windows or WinNT folder.
    3. Right-click the System32 folder and then click Properties .
    4. Select the Security tab. Set the access level to Full Control for the appropriate user group.
      NOTE: If you do not see the Security tab, you do not have administrative rights to the computer.
Solution two: Check security programs for interference
A security program, such as antivirus software or a firewall, might be interfering with start-up. If a security program is installed on the computer, follow these steps to update the settings.
Step one: Allow unrestricted access for HP programs
  1. Find the feature in the security software that allows programs to be excluded from protection. Contact the software manufacturer for assistance if you cannot find this feature.
  2. Allow the PML Driver program unrestricted access for all settings available. "PML Driver" is the name of the HP program that is trying to start HPxIPMxx.
  3. Some security software may also have a separate feature that determines if the chosen program is allowed to start other programs. Allow the HP program to start other programs.
  4. If any other HP programs appear on the list, also allow them unrestricted access. The following are examples of other HP programs that need unrestricted access:
    • PML Driver
    • HP Device Object
    • HP Flight Recorder
    • HP Event Manager
    NOTE: The wording of these HP programs might differ from the examples.
Step two: Change the start-up type to manual
If the issue persists, the security software might be blocking all start-up programs of this type until the computer has finished starting up. It is also possible that other programs or hardware devices are competing for computer resources during start-up, causing some programs to fail. To determine if one of these circumstances is the cause, follow these steps.
  1. Right-click My Computer on the main screen or in the Start menu, and then click Manage .
  2. Click the plus (+) sign next to Services and Applications , if necessary, so that Services is visible.
  3. Double-click Services , and then double-click PML Driver (or some variation of that driver name) in the list on the right side of the window.
  4. Change the Start-up Type entry to Disabled , click Apply , and then click OK .
  5. Restart the computer. The error should not occur after restarting.
  6. Repeat steps 1-3, and then continue with step 7.
  7. Change the Start-up Type to Manual , and then click Apply .
  8. Click the Start button just below Service Status .
    NOTE: This button is not the same as the Start button on the taskbar.
  9. Restart the computer to determine if the issue is resolved.
Solution three: Uninstall and reinstall the security software
If the error does not occur after restarting the computer in Solution two, the security software might be the cause of the problem. Try the following actions to resolve the issue.
  • Make sure that the security software is the issue by disabling or uninstalling it, and then restart the computer. If the security program is the cause, contact the security software manufacturer to check if there are any updates or information about this type of issue available.
  • Uninstall the printer and the security software, and then reinstall both. If the issue persists, uninstall both items again, and then reinstall them in a different order. Some security programs may require that specific files be found and manually deleted after the software is uninstalled, or an older version of the program used instead. Contact the software manufacturer for details if a normal uninstall and reinstall does not help.
  • If the issue persists, uninstall programs that are no longer used. Then unplug peripheral devices on the computer one at a time (cameras, scanners, other printers, cable modems, docking stations, and so on) to determine what device is conflicting with the printer. This procedure will likely resolve the issue even if the error message still occurs after changing the start-up type to manual.
Workaround
If the preceding solutions do not help, leave the PML driver service set to Disabled . Most printing functions will work without it, and print quality and speed are not affected by this setting. However, other functions of the printer driver might be disabled. If a function does not work, manually start the PML driver service as described earlier in this document. Remember to disable the PML driver service again before restarting the computer.


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