You may receive an error message when you try to print a document to a network shared printer from a computer that is running Windows 2000 (903932)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP4
Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system.

SYMPTOMS

When you print a document to a network shared printer from a computer that is running Microsoft Windows 2000, the print job does not produce output. You may receive an error message that states that you cannot print a document or that you have an invalid printer. The exact error message varies depending on the application that you use to submit the print job. This problem does not occur if you log on to the computer by using an administrative account.

You may receive one of the following symptoms, depending on your application:
  • If you try to print a document from Microsoft Internet Explorer, you receive one of the following error messages:
    Before you can print, you need to select a printer. If you need to install a printer, either double-click the Add Printer icon or click the Find Printer button located on the general tab of this dialog.
    You do not have permission to use the selected printer. If you need access, contact your network administrator.
  • If you try to print a document from Notepad, you receive the following error message:
    Printer PrinterName is no longer available. Close the properties dialog box, and select another printer.

    Note PrinterName is a placeholder for the name of the printer.
  • If you try to print a document from Microsoft Excel, you receive the following error message:
    Current printer is unavailable. Select another printer.
  • If you try to print a document from Microsoft PowerPoint, you receive the following error message:
    No printers are installed.
  • If you try to print a document from Microsoft Outlook, you receive one of the following error messages:
    No printers are installed. To install a printer, point to settings on the Windows Start Menu, click Printer, and then double-click Add Printer. Follow the instructions in the wizard.
    You do not have permission to use the selected printer. If you need access, contact your network administrator.
  • If you try to print a document from Lotus Notes, you receive the following error message:
    Insufficient memory
  • If you try to print a document from Microsoft Word, you may not receive any error message, but you cannot print the print job.

CAUSE

This problem typically occurs when the following conditions are true:
  • The printer server was upgraded from Windows 2000 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
  • You pushed the Windows Server 2003 version of the printer driver from the print server to a computer that is running Windows 2000. To do this, you use the Citrix tool or the Printui tool.
  • You logged on to the computer that is running Windows 2000 by using a non-administrative account.
This problem occurs because you do not have write permissions to the Windows\System32\Spooler\Drivers\W32x86\3 folder. The Printer Spooler service cannot create or re-create a parsed binary printer description file (.bud) when the related .gpd printer file is updated.

The .bud file is not created or updated when you push the Windows Server 2003 version of the printer driver from the print server to the computer where you are running the application. When you try to use a printer when a .bud file is missing or does not match the .gpd file, the Printer Spooler service will create or re-create the .bud file. However, if you do not have the permissions to create or re-create the .bud file, the problem occurs.

Note The .bud file is a binary version of the generic printer description file (.gpd) that is included with many printer drivers. The .bud file is located in the Windows\System32\Spooler\Drivers\W32x86\3 folder.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the Print Spooler service after you apply the hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix replaces the hotfix that is described in the following Knowledge Base article:

873396 You receive an error message if you try to print a document on Windows 2000-based and Windows XP-based computers (873396)

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformService branch
Faxui.dll0.2.0.2138,00019-Jul-200506:13x86Not Applicable
Localspl.dll5.0.2195.7060260,36819-Jul-200506:13x86Not Applicable
Sp3res.dll5.0.2195.70406,309,37621-Apr-200510:07x86Not Applicable
Spoolss.dll5.0.2195.705481,16819-Jul-200506:13x86Not Applicable
Winsrv.dll5.0.2195.7029244,49612-Mar-200507:54x86Not Applicable
Winsrv.dll5.0.2195.7029244,49612-Mar-200507:54x86UNIPROC

WORKAROUND

Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

To work around this problem, grant write permission to the Windows\System32\Spooler\Drivers\W32x86\3 folder and its subfolders.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.The issue is a spooler limitation that is fixed in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. There is no hotfix for the original version of Windows Server 2003.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates


The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbBug kbfix kbWinServ2003preSP1fix kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbpubtypekc KB903932 kbAudITPRO
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