Fatal Error 2753 Installing HP Printer Drivers - Solution

By Phil on Fri, 12/11/2009 - 11:41

Computer Hardware

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Have you been frustrated trying to install HP's latest printer drivers and getting the now infamous Error 2753?

Well then this article is for you!

SCENARIO:

OS: MS Windows XP SP3 [Version 5.1.2600]
Printer: HP Laserjet 3390 (AiO) (Firmware datecode: 20070331)
Printer Connection: Connected via Ethernet with a static IP address
HP Driver Version: v4.0 (hp_LJ3050-3052-3055-3390-3392_Full_Solution_AMWE.exe)

Ran into same error that everyone else is experiencing. (see below)

Now Launching=X:\hpzmsi01.exe -m dot4msi -l XXX -f X:\DIVins??.DAT
Error message received: The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2753.
X:\HPZBDI32.msi failed with return code 1603
MSIInstall() failed with 1603
Exit code=1603

Once I got past this error, everything reinstalled fine and all functionality was working great (including scanning!). After debugging HP's installation scripts for 2 days, here is the cause & solution identified for this install error.

BACKGROUND:

Microsoft Installer (MSI) error 1603 is simply a generic "A fatal error occurred during installation" -- see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa368542(VS.85).aspx. This is basically MSI telling you that something very bad has happened during the installation. In order to get more details, you can turn on MSI debug logging by following this MS Knowledge Base article.

The MSI error code 2753 is the code for "The File '<file name>' is not marked for installation.". This error can be triggered by many scenarios, but usually, it has to do with the actual installation script not properly checking for the existence/non-existence of an installation file and then not marking it for either installation/removal. I know this sounds confusing, and it is. If your curious about all the possible causes, just Google for "msi 2753 not marked for installation" and you'll see lots of results which you can peruse for your own enjoyment.

In order to identify what was causing these 2 errors, I enabled debugging for MSI via the aforementioned MS KB article

CAUSE:

Certain HP services (and associated DLL files) were somehow partially/improperly installed. (Possibly, from a previous failed install?)

The Windows services (files) were:

Pml Driver HPZ12 (C:\Windows\System32\HPZipm12.dll)
Net Driver HPZ12 (C:\Windows\System32\HPZinw12.dll)

The existence of these 2 files in the System32 directory was causing this error in my situation. Somehow, the installation script was not identifying that these files were already installed (or improperly installed) and failing to properly set them to be installed again.

SOLUTION:

Steps:

1) Check to make sure that the 2 Windows services above are not running (or not installed).
2) Rename/delete the 2 associated service DLL files (this will only be possible once the services are stopped)
3) Run the installation again.

If all goes well, the install should now run without any issues.

Note: Should apply equally to Windows Vista & Windows 7 and HP 3055 printer.

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Comments

Thanks a ton. I have been

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 21:24.

Thanks a ton. I have been struggling with this issue for months. This one simple step solves the issue. HP SHOULD PAY YOU. You are a genius.

HP

Submitted by adek (not verified) on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 01:26.

Thanks.

HP Error when installing laserJet 3055

Submitted by Mark (not verified) on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 01:57.

Thanks so much, I have been pulling my hair out with those idiots at HP, remaning 2 x dll files and install went through a breeze, your brilliant, Hp should pay you for your service to us.

HP Fatal Error 2753

Submitted by John (not verified) on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 17:10.

As mentioned by others renaming HPZinw12.dll and HpZipm12.dll and doing a complete reinstall (5 pages) worked for me. Be patient as it does take time to complete. After restart ran into another minor problem (4pages).

tanks a lot

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 03:56.

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS. IT WORKED FOR ME. HOPE YOUR POST WILL SAVE OTHER PEOPLE'S PRECIOUS TIME. HP PRODUCTS GAVE ME LOTS OF PROBLEM.

Thanks a lot !!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/15/2011 - 03:26.

You save my life ! My printer is now running well and it works too woth Vista and OfficeJet 5610 Great man !!!!

THANK YOU

Submitted by Katrina (not verified) on Wed, 12/21/2011 - 17:14.

I just did this and it WORKS!! It works on Vista too (thought you'd want to know!) You helped me while the jerks at HP just gave me the run around. (Here's the kicker - we *were* about to buy three entire new systems from them - with that kind of service we have changed out minds.) THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Great!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/18/2011 - 13:20.

Still works!

Thanks for the post

Submitted by Avinash (not verified) on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 01:27.

Very Thanks for the post, it resolved my problem.

HP Fix

Submitted by abinmi (not verified) on Sun, 04/03/2011 - 19:26.

You are a genius. I was searching for hours and finally hit on your spot and tada! it worked exactly as you said. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 14:47.

I tried this after working almost all day long on other suggestions from the post at link: http://forums13.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?...

This worked flawlessly, I now have my scanner back in action like it used to be earlier after installation of SP3. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Worked for me

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/23/2010 - 09:24.

I tried several other suggestions and none of them worked, but this one did.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

It works!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/16/2009 - 15:19.

I was having this problem with my Officejet J6410.

I spent days and days trying all the HP solutions and to no avail, and was about to reinstall Vista and rebuild my hard drive when I found Phil's solution.
It took only a minute to do, no need even to reboot, then the software installed without a problem and now everything is running perfectly now!!

You deserve the Nobel prize, Phil! Thanks!

great

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/18/2011 - 13:18.

Still works :)

Fatal Error 2753

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 08:48.

You are my personal jesus, Phil. Thanks!

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS. IT

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 22:42.

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS. IT WORKED FOR ME. HOPE YOUR POST WILL SAVE OTHER PEOPLE'S PRECIOUS TIME. HP PRODUCTS GAVE ME LOTS OF PROBLEM. STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH TOOLBOXFX NOW, WHEN FAX INBOX FILLED UP TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, CANNOT RECEIVE FAX ON PC ANYMORE UNTIL RESET THE 3055 USING FACTORY DEFAULT RESET. TERRIBLE PRODUCT.