DJ 6122 Install: Windows was unable to get a list of devices from Windows Update

[JN-FL]

Trying to load printer driver for HP DeskJet 6122 on Win7 64-bit (Intel i7-2640M). All online sources including HP say driver required is alternate driver for DJ 990c, and is available by clicking "Windows Update" in  Install Printer Driver dialog. When doing so, consistently get message "Windows was unable to get a list of devices from Windows Update please try again later".

Windows Update setting is set to "Download Updates but let me choose whether to install them".

Have downloaded and extracted complete X86 driver catalog (X86-all-4189_1228a7cf7b1aac21346b20cb6e21db409dde9e72.cab) from Windows Update Catalog site at http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx. Said "Have Disk" in Install Printer Driver dialog and selected prnhp001.Inf, immediatelt received message that folder specified does not contain compatible device driver. 

Also tried to do same with IA64 catalog (IA64-all-4190_6e0f85bb67d0038a6406fc71b777a1906a87888c.cab), unsurprisingly had the same result.

Also tried to do same with AMD64 catalog (AMD64-all-4188_bacd1413e93b4a6362d9a2ca653c869f1c02f6f7.cab), andsurprisingly this did successfully bring up the additional catalog list. However, when selecting hp deskjet 990c, as soon as driver begins to install error box pops up saying "Printer driver not installed, operation cannot be completed (error code 0x00000002)". 

Cannot find any other relevant catalogs at Windows Update Catalog site (i.e. X64).

Have tried running MicrosoftFixit.wu.RNP.85259331246416206.3.1.Run.exe, which reports 1 item fixed, but has no impact on problem.

Have run out of ideas. How can I actually, easily get my hands on 990c driver for Intel Win7-64?

Thanks.

[msgab · Accepted solution]

These steps did resolve the issue:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del)

2. Click Sevices Tab and then Services Button (Bottom Right)

3. Under Name find "Windows Update"

4. Right click "Windows Update" and select Stop. do not close

5. Open Window Exploper and browse to C:\Windows

6. Delete the Folder "SoftwareDistribution"

7. Go back to Task Manager then  Services, Right click "Windows Update" and select Start.

Then go back to the Add Printer function.   Be patient, this will take several minutes.  You will find that the SoftwareDistribution folder has been rebuilt.

[HpUser0524]

Msgab -

Just wanted to thank you for the procedure.  Stopping the Windows Update service, deleting the Software Distribution folder, and then restarting Windows Update worked like a charm.  I was delighted to finally see the Windows Update actually spending a couple of minutes locating the updated HP drivers (before, I would always just see the dreaded "windows was unable to get a list of devices from windows update"

Signed

A grateful Win 7/ HP LaserJet 4Plus user.

[JN-FL]

msgab, thank you very much! Your solution worked for me flawlessly. 

If you search the web for this specific issue of Windows Update hanging/bombing, you'll find a lot of sideways suggestions including trying alternate drivers that are can be acquired outside of Windows Update, and when I posted this issue over on the Microsoft site, that's the advice I received.

Your solution is the only one that attacks the problem head-on---how to rebuild Windows Update so that it stops bombing. Kudos indeed!!!

[s1saini]

Thanks msgab.0

Your solution has been a blessing.  It saved me frustration and got me out of a dead end.

[taron]

Awesome! Thanks a lot!

Lost a whole evening fighting with the LJ 1100 and Jetdirect 170x for installing on 64-bit Windows 7. And completed in 5 minutes after getting to your post. 

Thanks again!!!