[geeks] WinXP SP2 Print Spooler Crash - Any ideas?

[Rick Hamell]

nate at portents.com wrote:
>> When trying to print (in this case to a printer on the network) the
>> printer list goes blank, then a standard error message pops up saying
>> "Spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close.".
>> When I try to add a printer it refuses and says the Spooler Service is
>> not running (which it isn't, I checked in the Services tool).
> 
> I can't say I've seen that when printing to a network printer.  I've seen
> the spooler crap out when printing to a local printer hooked up to a
> Windows computer, and the rare occasion that's happened I tend to get
> properties on the printer, go to the "Advanced" tab, and change the
> printer from "Spool print documents so program finished printing faster"
> to "Print directly to the printer" and then it prints fine.

I've seen it when a printer driver becomes corrupted, or obsolete due to 
some seemingly unrelated update. I'd suggest deleting the print driver 
totally and reinstalling. Or even testing a different model printer if 
possible.

-- 
Rick Hamell
http://RickHamell.com
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