Tech Support ping!
Posted on 06/19/2009 1:57:34 PM PDT by lilylangtree
I tried to print a document, and the computer won't print. I checked "printers" in the Windows XP that I'm using, and the printer icons (there are at least 3) are gone. It's just a empty page. When I try to add a computer, I receive the following message: "Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running." I don't know what caused my icons to up and disappear.
I reloaded the printer software on one printer, and the message indicated that I already have the printer installed so I told the computer to reload the software. This action did not produce a printer icon either.
I need help.
Tech Support ping!
The first thing you should do is reboot the computer.
Sounds like you might need to uninstall SP 3.
Here’s an excerpt from our client service database:
All of the installed printers have disappeared from Pat’s computer.
Error: Print spooler service is not running.
This has been a popular reported problem recently. Not sure what causes it but MS article 324757 fixes it.
______________
6/17/2009 8:01:26 AM
The article mentioned previously did not fix the problem this time. We found the print spooler error is caused by Windows XP SP3. We uninstalled SP3 and all of Pat’s previously installed printers were listed again.
We also changed her automatic update settings so SP3 is not installed automatically.
______________
Have already rebooted.
And if rebooting doesn’t do it, you might just reinstall the printer, if you still have the installation CD (you should be able to download the drivers from the manufacturers home page if you don’t).
1st and easiet step
COld reboot
Check printer
Still empty, Control panel>printers and Faxs>right click in the pen area (not on icon) and select server properties
You should see the drivers.
NO driver - use add printer button, you can find drivers at OS or OEM website
Passs GO - collect $200
Ummm, isn’t it a bad idea to run Windows XP without SP3 installed?
Where do I find SP3 to uninstall it?
Right click on my computer, select manage
double click on services
find print spooler right click on it and choose properties
make sure it says startup type automatic and then click start if it is not grayed out.
thats assuming the service pack 3 didnt break your spooler.
Start>Run Type cmd.
When the ‘black box’ appears, type NET START SPOOLER
OR, you could reboot your machine.
I reinstalled one of the printers with the disk but the icon didn’t appear on the “Printers” part of Control Panel.
Do what I said. That will fix your issue.
empty the print queue of stopped jobs.
make sure the queue is not stopped.
may need to reinstall printer drivers.
rebooting is always a given w/ winblows.
may I suggest a Mac. . . snicker
tahDeetz
Go to Control Panel
click on Add remove programs
Clik the box at top marked “show update”
If SP 3 is installed as an update, you might be able to remove.
In my experiance, we just re-ghost the image
You DO have a Ghost image from a date prior to the upgrade, yes?
Is the printer turned on? Is the cable connected? Is it a USB printer? If so, make sure it is DISCONNECTED, leave it turned on, and reboot the computer. Then plug in the USB connector.
I’ll also ditto KoRu on this as a possible fix as well.
I’ve been using Win7 for the last several months, so it’s been years since I’ve paid attention to XP news, but what stevestras wrote in #4 sounds likely to me.
Dang. Oh well, go here and take a look.
http://www.dormitionskete.org/ImageFiles/ds/announcements/big_printer.jpg
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