Only Excel doesn't connect to printer

Question

I have Windows 7 Ultimate edition.

My printer is HP Deskjet Ink Advant K209a-z. Have run HP Update and updated all the recent drivers for HP. Have run all troubleshooting steps including verification of connection ,wires, cables, etc

Problem 1: Except for Microsoft Excel 2010, all other microsoft applications can connect to the printer.

Problem 2: Cannot set it as default printer-

Error message: Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000709). Double check the printer name and make sure that the printer is connected to the network.

Observation:

In registry, the entry for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Devices shows four string values:

(Default) with no value set

Fax with value as winspool,Ne01:

HP Deskjet Ink Advant K209a-z with value as winspool,nul:

Microsoft XPS Document Writer with value as winspool,Ne02:

Please advise

Regards

Answer 1

Problem 1 has been resolved after this:

1. Network and Sharing Center by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, and then clicking Network and Sharing Center.

2.network discovery was off, clicked the arrow button to expand the section, clicked Turn on network discovery, and then clicked Apply.

Problem 2 still remaining. Please help.

Answer 2

If you’re facing issue setting up printer as default, then your query would be better addressed in Windows 7 forum link mentioned below:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware?tm=1355163316109