Method: Try to change the default printer value in registry key and check if it helps.

Registry Disclaimer: Important this section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to
modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly.
Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the
registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more
information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to
view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322756 .
How to back up and restore the registry in Windows:
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/)
a) Click on Start.
b) Type regedit in the start search and click Enter.
c) Move to the location mentioned below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
d) In the right column, you will find key Device, change the value to your Printer name.
e) It is of the format for example: "HP LaserJet 4250 PCL6,winspool,Ne03:".
f) Right click on the value and click on Rename, change it to your printer name.

As it turns out, in my case (and possibly in kflanagan's case as well) I had to set
permissions on the keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

Operation could not be completed (error

000000709) Double check the printer
name and make sure that the printer is
connected to the network.
This error is generated from user porfile. In some case when doesnt work selected any printer for printing

How solve this problem to set default printer, one printer we have without define new profile user?

Go to Start Run write Regedit and push Enter

Go to in :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER / SOFTWARE / MICROSOFT / WINDOWS NT / CURRENT VERSION /
WINDOWS
Selected WINDOWS and push right buton of mouse and push Permission

Set this permission :

For Adminis (<PC name>\Administrators> Full Control + Read

For Users <PC name> (name user) Full Control + Read
For Group Restricted Read
For SYSTEM Full Control + Read

Push the buton ACCEPT

En the next image I dont have selected any default printer because the windows lost DEVICE register

The next step I created this entry. Push Right Click buton en the white zone and selected New ->
Alfanumeric Value. For this entry (New Value #1) change the name to DEVICE

Select DEVICE and push two times the left buton or the Enter

In the information y adding the name of my printer HP LaserJet 3500 and the two value winspool and Ne03.
En my case 03 (zero tree) because my printer is the 4th printer instaled.

HP LaserJet 3500,winspool,Ne03:

Push the ACCEPT buton. To verify that all is well open the printer windows and push F5 for refresh the
information and if you see the printer is market everything is all right.