Error message on a Windows Vista-based or Windows Server 2008-based computer that does not have a parallel port: "The Parallel port driver service failed to start"

An error message that resembles the following may be logged in the System log on a Windows Vista-based or Windows Server 2008-based computer that does not have a parallel port: This error message is logged after you disconnect the computer from the docking station, and then you restart the computer.

For example, this problem might occur in the following scenario:

• You configure a Windows Vista-based computer for use with a docking station.
• The docking station has an attached printer that requires using the parallel port (Parport) service.
• You disconnect the computer from the docking station, and then you restart the computer.

This problem does not occur on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista.

Note When this event is logged in the System log, it does not indicate that there is any serious problem with the comptuer.

This problem may occur if the parallel port (Parport) service is enabled and if the parallel port is not connected.

Note The Parport service is not listed in Computer Management and is inaccessible.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

These errors can be safely ignored if you have removed the parallel port connector or if you are using a printer that is connected to the parallel port connector of a docking station.

Alternatively, if you do not require the parallel port, you can disable the Parport service in the registry to stop the error messages from being logged. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit.exe in the Programs list.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Parport
3. Right-click the Start entry, and then click Modify.
4. In the Value data box, type 4, and then click OK.
5. Exit Registry Editor.

You can use the following values for the Start entry.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.