So while trying to install a printer this week, I was getting this error message on SBS 2003:  “Unable to install printer.  Operation could not complete.”

The printer was an HP OfficeJet 8000 (not my idea).  I stay away from HP printers due to their total incompetence to make good drivers for their lower end printers.  I’ve spent to much time fixing their problems.

I had all the latest print drivers, and I was installing it using a TCP/IP port (network printer).

I tried several times…  Deleted drivers, etc each time.  The fix?  Restart the print spooler and try again.  Go to services.msc, find the print spooler, and right click and hit “restart.”  Did the trick for me!