Cannot add a printer to the LPT1 port in a guest operating system that is running in Virtual PC 2004 Service Pack 1 (889512)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 Service Pack 1

SYMPTOMS

When you try to add a printer to a guest operating system that is running in Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 Service Pack 1 (SP1), you cannot configure the printer to use the LPT1 port.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the host operating system is also using the LPT1 port for a printer or other service. Only one operating system at a time can use the LPT1 port.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, you must stop the Spooler service on the host operating system, and then use the Spooler service on the guest operating system. To stop the Spooler service, click Start, click Run, type net stop spooler, and then click OK.

To set up a printer on LPT1, follow these steps:
  1. Start Virtual PC 2004 SP1.
  2. Start the virtual computer that you want to install the printer to, and then log on to the virtual computer.
  3. In the guest operating system, click Start, click Run, type net start spooler, and then click OK.
  4. In the guest operating system, click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
  5. Double-click Add a Printer. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to install the printer that is connected to LPT1.
After you quit Virtual PC 2004 SP1, you may want to restart the Spooler service on the host operating system, To do this, click Start, click Run, type net start spooler, and then click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/24/2004
Keywords:kbprint kbtshoot kbprb KB889512 kbAudEndUser
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