SNA Print Sessions May Not Use PDT File (258631)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SNA Server 3.0 SP1
  • Microsoft SNA Server 3.0 SP2
  • Microsoft SNA Server 3.0 SP3
  • Microsoft SNA Server 3.0 SP4
  • Microsoft SNA Server 4.0
  • Microsoft SNA Server 4.0 SP1
  • Microsoft SNA Server 4.0 SP2
This article was previously published under Q258631

SYMPTOMS

The SNA print service does not search for Printer Definition Table (PDT) files before it starts the SNA print sessions. The PDT files are located and loaded when each print job is started. If the PDT is corrupt or cannot be found, the print job completes successfully without any error messages; however, the PDT file is not used to format the job or send commands to the printers.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for SNA Server version 4.0. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

215838 How to Obtain the Latest SNA Server Version 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft SNA Server, versions 3.0 (all service packs), 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft SNA Server version 4.0 Service Pack 3.

MORE INFORMATION

With SNA Server 4.0 SP3 installed, the SNA print service validates PDT files before it starts the print session. SNA print sessions that use PDT files do not start if the PDT file is corrupt or cannot be found. The status of these sessions remains inactive. The SNA Virtual Print Driver logs the following error message in event ID 24 in the Application event log:
The SNA Virtual Print Driver cannot load the specified PDT file.
Please check that the file has been configured correctly.

PDT file name: C:\SNA\SYSTEM\HPLJ2.PDT
Driver: WINSPOOL
Printer: \\SNASERVER\PrintSession1
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/14/2004
Keywords:kbQFE KB258631
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