Repeated New Hardware Wizard Printer Detection

Go into "Safe Mode" and as Administrator you should be able to delete the key.

Howdy,
I am experiencing the exact same annoying New Hardware Wizard popping up when there is no need to install a new printer. I saw the Microsoft bulletin suggesting the deletion of the H_KEY. I can't delete it using regedit.exe.

I also tried unsuccessfully:
started up in safe mode with command prompt,
logged in as administrator,
typed "regedit" at the prompt
located the H_KEY...CurrentControlSet\Enum\LPTENUM,
clicked delete, and confirmed delete
Response: "cannot delete LPTENUM: error while deleting key."

What's going on? How was this issue resolved in the past series of posts? I would expect a wrap up message or thanks or some other conclusion.
cheers,

Microsoft's bulletin:
<!-- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298370/en-us#appliesto

To use Registry Editor to remove the damaged registry key, follow these steps:
1. Log on to your computer by using an administrator account.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
4. Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\LPTENUM
5. Right-click the registry key, and then click Delete.
6. Under Confirm Key Delete, click Yes.
7. Close Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.
When Windows XP restarts, it will detect the printer and install support for it. After the printer is installed, it will no longer be detected each time you
start Windows XP. -->


my system specs:
Win XP prof; CPU Intel Pentium 4 1.8 GHz; 1.79GHz 512 MB RAM; printer Canon Pixma MP450 scan/copy/scan; Sony digital camera DSC_S600 6.0 Mpx; 5 1/2 yr old Panasonic camcorder; these are working fine, but I recently changed the defective firewire (IEEE 1394 cable) for the camcorder.