“The data area passed to a system call is too small” and other idiocies when installing a Zebra LP2844 printer driver
For reasons that would bore most to tears, I had to swap out a workstation at work today. This workstation had one Zebra LP2844 laser printer attached to it, and along with the “new” (well, new-to-that-particular-desk, not new-to-the-world) workstation, it was getting another.
Simple! The “new” workstation already had the Zebra LP2844 printer drivers installed, so I’ll just Start > Printers > Add Printer > Yep, LPT1: > Mmhmm, ZEBRA EPL > (scrolling … scrolling … Why is this dialog box so small? … scrolling) ah, LP2844 > Continue Anyway (Why can’t a million dollar company get their drivers signed?) > Finish, insto presto, and….
Boom. “Printer Driver was not installed. The operation could not be completed.”
Hum.
I’ll try it again. This is an indication of insanity–expecting a different result from the same operation–but it’s 7:30 a.m. and I can’t be experiencing problems already. Come on.
Boom. “Printer Driver was not installed. The operation could not be completed.”
Okay, I’ll just download Zebra’s driver setup utility and install the printer that way. Next > Next > Add a printer > Next > Next, and….
Boom. “The data area passed to a system call is too small.”
Hum. That’s a new one. But different!
I know this printer works, why is this not working?
The Solution
After about 30 minutes of head-scratching, I stumbled upon the solution. These types of errors are apparently the result of corrupted or just plain buggy printer drivers already installed on the machine. They could be unrelated to the printer that you’re trying to install; it doesn’t matter. They’ll cause the error when the “add a printer” mechanism enumerates through the list of printer drivers already installed on the machine.
To fix it, it’s time to blow away some printer drivers. Go to Printers under the Control Panel. Click File > Server Properties and switch to the Drivers property sheet. Remove any suspicious-looking drivers and try to add your printer again. (For me, the problematic driver was a custom LP2844 driver that came on a UPS WorldShip disk.)
Thanks!! This worked perfectly — my problem also had to do with a UPS driver that caused our label printer to stop working completely.
i have the following error:
The data area passed to a system call is too small
This is the error I continue to get
Socket Error: 122, Port: 143, Protocol: IMAP.The data area passed to a system call is too small
i have 2 emails (business and personal)
i used to recieve from both, i screwed up by deleting an account and now after re-installing it, NOPE
i have the correct server and the correct outgoing port, but how about the incoming port.
my personal account is port 122
is it the same for business
nicole@photography-by-nicole.net
hmmmmmmmmmmm
yeah i am a novice. sorry
Hi Nicole,
While the words in the error message are the same (any code that invokes methods in that area of the system may return the same generic error message), I’m afraid that you’re encountering that error under a completely different set of circumstances (troubleshooting an e-mail application versus troubleshooting a printer installation). I’m sorry that I will be unable to help you with that.
Hi Nicholas… I love your blog !!!! your are great
its very exciting to know people that always helps…
thanks by sharing… is a pleasure to know you…
From Mexico…. Melissa Hdez
You’re a genius
I’m very relieved to find a solution. Thank you!
I too am having this issue same error message… however Im installing a network printer via web interface…very odd some pc’s work and some dont. I havent come up with a cause yet. any