[Ham-Computers] RE: spooler service for printer

Sun, 31 Aug 2003 02:02:09 -0700

Brian,

The spooler service in Windoze is basically the "print manager" - it is *the* printing sub-system of Windows.  If it's disabled (or not started), you won't be able to print...in some cases, you won't even be able to open anything in the Printers control panel.

It's possible that you (or some errant software) inadvertently disabled the service.  To re-enable it in Windows 2000/XP, here's what you do...

  * Right-click "My Computer" on the desktop and select "Manage"
    If you don't have a "My Computer" on the desktop, then
    click START --> Control Panels --> Adminstrative Tools --> Computer Management

  * On the left side of this management console, click the "+" box next to "Services and Applications"

  * Click on "Services"

  * Now, on the right side, there should be a list of all the services installed sorted in alphabetical order.  Scroll down the list and look for "Print Spooler"

  * Right-click on "Print Spooler" and select "Properties"

  * Where it says "Startup type", make sure "Automatic" is selected.  This will ensure that the service is started whenever it's needed

  * If the "Service Status" is "Stopped", you can start the service for this session by clicking on the "Start" button right below "Service Status".

Wait a few seconds to allow the spooler service to load and initialize.  If no errors occur, then try to print something.  Then reboot and try printing again (to verify that the service is auto-starting at bootup).  If there's a problem, an error dialog should popup referring you to the Event Manager.

Should you get an error, let me know and I'll step you through the system event viewer to help isolate the problem.

73 and GL,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian K. Gaskamp [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 8:07 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Ham-Computers] spooler service for printer

Still trying to get my Dell printer working, but what on earth is spooler
service?
This is what is keeping my printer from working, but this unit is a all in 1
unit, it copies, scans, faxes, etc..

The scanner works fine, but nothing else.

Talk about weird.

73,
Brian

KA5BKG