print spooler crashing

[relan vega]

i've got win2k3 as file and print server. after installing security update the print spooler kept on crashing and users are unable to print to any network printers. i tried uninstalling the security patch which i installed but it doesn't solve the issue. i already deleted all the temp files in the spool folder and restarted the print spooler services and the fap server many times but the issue remains unresolved. i've got the same fap server in other sites with identical configuration (software, security patches, printers installed) but i dont have any issue except this site.

eventid in the logs are 1000, 1734 and 1731.
application error faulting application spoolsv.exe version xxxx, faulting module unknown, fault address 0x0000000

server has the latest sp and sec updates. printers are mostly hp. crash interval of spooler is less than a minute and no one can use the printing services of the fap.

any idea how to resolve this issue... i'll appreciate all your inputs.

[Daniel Leblanc]

Also, have you tried cleanspl.exe from the 203 Server Resource Kit? Download link here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&DisplayLang=en

Give that a go and see what results.

[relan vega]

'will try to clean the spooler environment and re install the printers. this is also the best solution i am thinking but i still have to find ways to backup the printing environment since i can do it due to constant crashing of the spoolsv.exe.

[WillNiccolls]

You might try Print Migrator 3.1 at microsoft.com/downloads.

It will backup all printers, ports, drivers and the queue.

Of course, if your spooler is crashing it might not work.

Is it possible you have an application that's causing the crash when printing?

Or a print driver?

Is there nothing else in the system log? application log?

Spooler crashes are sometimes caused by corrupt drivers. You might try uninstalling and reinstalling print drivers.

[WillNiccolls]

Yes, and please note I said uninstall the drivers, not just the printers.

[Rune J. Winje]

When troubleshooting the print spooler it is also a good idea to remove any non-default print monitors.

If you check the following registry key for print monitors. You can try to remove any non-default monitors:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors

The default print monitors are (these should not be removed):
AppleTalk Printing Devices (When Services for Macintosh is installed)
BJ Language Monitor
Local Port
PJL Language Monitor
Standard TCP/IP Port
USB Monitor
Windows NT Fax Monitor
LPR Port



Cheers,
Rune

[Daniel Leblanc]

So, did the clean work?

[relan vega]

hi guys,

thanks for all your inputs esp to rune.. printer spooler seems stable now after i removed the non default monitor.

more power to all....
cheer!