Printer performance is slow on a large print server in Windows Server 2003 (842304)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition

SYMPTOMS

Printer performance is slow on a large print server. This problem occurs especially when you use a Cluster service that has many printers installed. When you troubleshoot this problem, the following behavior occurs:
  • Print jobs take an increasingly long time to print.
  • The properties of a printer open slowly.
  • If you fail over the cluster group to another node, printer performance is repeatedly slow.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if there is a contention on a critical section object in the spooler process.

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 Service Pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, 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: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 to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix. However, if you want to restart the computer later instead of immediately, click to select the Do not restart now check box before you click Finish when you install the hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

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.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, x86-based versions

   Date         Time   Version           Size      File name      Platform
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   14-Apr-2005  18:34  5.2.3790.309      312,320   Localspl.dll   x86
   14-Apr-2005  18:34  5.2.3790.309       81,920   Spoolss.dll    x86

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, x86-based versions with Service Pack 1

   Date         Time   Version           Size      File name      Platform
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   14-Apr-2005  18:40  5.2.3790.2421     347,136   Localspl.dll   x86

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

   Date         Time   Version           Size      File name      Platform
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   14-Apr-2005  14:50  5.2.3790.309      860,160   Localspl.dll   IA-64
   14-Apr-2005  14:50  5.2.3790.309      234,496   Spoolss.dll    IA-64

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions with Service Pack 1

   Date         Time   Version           Size      File name      Platform
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   14-Apr-2005  14:50  5.2.3790.2421     966,144   Localspl.dll   IA-64

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

   Date         Time   Version           Size      File name      Platform
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   14-Apr-2005  14:50  5.2.3790.2421     747,520   Localspl.dll   x64

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/5/2006
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbprinters kbprint kbPerformance kbfix KB842304 kbAudITPRO