Hi Hakkelaar,
Do these characters appear when you open the printer properties in other programs too, or just from Word 2003? I would suggest you do all of your Windows Updates and restart the computer. If the issue persists the next solution I propose is to delete the printer driver from the Printer Server Properties and then re-add it. Use the instructions below to accomplish this task.
In the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder
2. Choose ‘Print server properties’.
- Win XP – With no printer selected, click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
- Windows Vista – With no printer selected, press ‘Alt’ then click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
- Windows 7/8 and 8.1 – Select any printer in the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder and click ‘Print Server properties’ above.
3. Click on the ‘Drivers’ tab at the top of ‘Print server properties’ window
4. Choose the printer you want to uninstall and click ‘Remove’
5. Choose 'Remove driver only'
6. The next screen will give a warning, letting you know that deleting the driver package will remove it from the system. Click ‘Yes’ to say that you are sure you want to do this.
If documents are stuck in the print spooler, you may see an error, cancel any documents pending in the print queue, or try restarting the print spooler, then try to remove the driver from ‘Print server properties’ again. If it still won’t remove the package, restarting the computer and the printer should resolve this ‘in use’ error and allow the driver to be removed.
After the driver is removed, open Start > All Programs > HP folder > Printer folder > HP Setup and Software (or the printer icon).
The Setup and software screen will open and you can click on Connect a new printer.
Please let me know if this resolves the issue or if the issue lingers.