DOCUMENT:Q217069 16-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Serial Printer Communication Fault Pop-up Notification Available PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbWinNT400sp5fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When serially connected printers experience a communication break or an out of resource condition such as out of paper on Windows NT 4.0, this is not communicated back to the server through a dialog box or a pop-up message. It simply stops printing to the printer, and continues spooling the print job in the spooler until it is finished being sent from the client. The print job will now sit in the spooler until someone resolves the communication or resource problem. If the print job is restarted before the printer problem is resolved, it is possible for the spooler to think the printer problem is resolved and send the spooled up print job to the bit bucket. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to: - http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/ -or- - Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5. MORE INFORMATION ================ The updated code now creates a pop-up message when a communication error occurs. The user can respond to the fault when it has been resolved. If the fault is resolved but you cannot get to the server to respond, the system will automatically retry approximately every 5 seconds, and, if successful, will remove the pop-up message. Additional query words: 4.00 ====================================================================== Keywords : kbWinNT400sp5fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp4 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4 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. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.