DOCUMENT:Q244135 11-JUN-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Too Many Printers Can Cause Unsuccessful Boot PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbWinNT4sp6fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry SYMPTOMS ======== When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message: Windows NT could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \%SystemRoot%\System32\Config\SystemHardware Profile/Last Known Good menu CAUSE ===== This behavior can occur if there are too many printers installed. Based on the number and types of drivers involved, the problem may start at around 900 printers. This issue can occur for local printers as well as for network printers, or for a combination of both that exceeds around 900 printers. Before you install the fix mentioned in the "Resolution" section, the information for local printers is saved to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers The information for network printers is saved to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers\LanManPrintServices Because of this, the System subkey of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive in the registry may become too large to fit into the allocated memory space and may preventing the system from booting. RESOLUTION ========== Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ---------------------------------------------- To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack NOTE: To activate this fix, you must add the following registry value: Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print Value Name : UseSoftwareKey Value Type : REG_DWORD Data : 1 Windows NT 4.0 Server and Workstation ------------------------------------- There is a separate hotfix that addresses this issue for Windows NT 4.0. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q239907 Too Many Printers Can Cause Unsuccessful Boot WORKAROUND ========== For possible workarounds, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q102721 Err Msg: Windows NT Could Not Start Because the Following... STATUS ====== Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ---------------------------------------------- Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6. Windows NT 4.0 -------------- Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. MORE INFORMATION ================ This fix moves the local printer keys from: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Print\Printers It moves the network printer keys from: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers\LanManPrintServices to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\LanManPrintServices The printer information in: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Print\Printers may not be evident until you open the printer properties for a connection, add a printer, or reboot. You will still see registry keys and entries created in: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers for every printer, although only a small subset of the normal information is added. This is necessary to support applications that query the registry directly for printer information. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbWinNT4sp6fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch Version : :4.0 Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. 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