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print spooler subsystem app error

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by kamitche 1 view

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I am trying to resolve an error that occurs when 2 clients running xp pro restarts, after logging in, gets an error stating "the spooler subsystem app has encountered an problem and needs to close". I found the MS knowledge base article addressing this error but the resolution didn't fix the error and it is the only article I can find addressing it. The article addresses the symptoms completely too. The KB article is 810894. I am trying to install a HP 1300 usb/parallel printer to the machine via the usb port and I am following HP's support document on "uninstalling and reinstalling the LaserJet 1300 for windows xp on a USB port" so I know I'm doing the installation more correctly than I ever would normally, lol, and at the end of the add a printer wizard I get the error of "Operation cannot be completed". I have not been able to find any other resources on resolving this issue. I completely ripped out the 1300 driver, software, using the hp doc, and checked the spool dir and registry keys according the the KB article, reinstalled the 1300 first time with the error, tried again and got to the finish of the wizard and that it installed correctly, had to restart, desktop takes forever to load now, and still have the same spooler subsystem app error msg after login and the printer isn't there in the printers and faxes window. Tried a repair on win xp on 1 client. Reinstalling windows doesn't solve this issue either. Both clients were just upgraded to xp pro from 98. Looks like I have to format if there isn't anyone out there that can help. Thanks in advanced.

57 replies

by phracks

What happens when you install it via parallel?

If you are installing the printer via usb, and I suppose you have the parrallel LIO adapter removed form the printer.

I would suggest updateing the UART for that motherboard / or flashing the bios or finding updated usb drivers

by ec

Yikes!!! Updating UART or flashing the bios to fix a spool error frightens me. Since thats driver relaited I would follow the micro-shi* instructions to removed the registry entries, then if that doent work your OS could be corrupted by those third party print drivers, sux but it happens. I assume you have XP, if so a system roll back might be a fix, and if that doent work a quick reinstall of core files might give you the fix since this also restores part of your registry, if not you may have to do a format and install. Doing this vrs a BIOS flash seems better because if you mess up your bios or it bugs for some reason (like they have on occasion for my IT people)then your fairly screwed and your printer wont be the only thing that doesnt work!

by hal 9000

I'd try using the LPT1 connection as they tend to work better particularly with HP products for some reason. Of course if you have USB 1 ports on the M'Board the HP printer requires USB 2 ports.

If you already have a printer connected to the LPT1 port still try the HP on the LPT1 connection just to make sure that it actually works and if it does then get a printer switch and avoid the USB connection like the plague. I've spent hours attempting to get various models of HP printers to work on the USB connection with no luck well at least not properly anyway but they always work perfectly on the LPT1 connection.

Col

by paul

stop spooler under services.

access c:windos/system32/spooler/printers

remove any .shd or .spl files
restart spooler service

by delinker

In my experience this solution only works if the problem is a corrupt .shd or .spl file. But if that happens to be the deal then you are in luck.

by alices

For anyone out there who finds this thread - (I spent hours sifting through discussions on this error) for me, Paul's suggestion is what worked for me.

Btw I believe it occurred after I tried to print a directory list from DOS. The printer is a Brother HL 1440 and apparently Brother has a batch file fix for this so they have run into it before. I simply went to the directory above and removed the .shd and .spl files (both of which had the timestamp when the problem began).

I noticed a number of people out there reformatted their drives when they couldn't find a solution. The MS resolution (article 810894),while isn't complicated, does required registry modification and it's the only kb that references event id 7034 that's relevant. I would definitely recommend someone try Paul's solution above before doing anything else. - Alice.

by featherman

... determine if tou have USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 ports. If USB 2.0 ports are being used, there are two drivers for each chipset: the native WinXP drivers and the chipset (or board manufacturer's) drivers. Try using the other driver (whichever is not being used) - we ran into this at one of the places I did contract work for recently.... Please see the procedure here for insight as to how to switch drivers to a manufacturer's drivers (this happens to be Adaptec's site):

http://adaptec-tic.adaptec.com/cgi-bin/adaptec_tic.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=uH52Sdth&p_lva=&p_faqid=3798&p_created=1023474626&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0mcF9yb3dfY250PTE3JnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9VVNCMiZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPTMmcF9wcm9kX2x2bDE9fmFueX4mcF9wcm9kX2x2bDI9fmFueX4mcF9jYXRfbHZsMT1_YW55fiZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=

or here for info on how to switch back to native WinXP drivers:

http://adaptec-tic.adaptec.com/cgi-bin/adaptec_tic.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=uH52Sdth&p_lva=&p_faqid=4339&p_created=1034708850&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0mcF9yb3dfY250PTUyJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9MyZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMT0xMDAmcF9wcm9kX2x2bDI9fmFueX4mcF9jYXRfbHZsMT0yJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=

Again, this is the Adaptec site, so the driver names may/will vary, but the technique holds.

Hope this helps...

by raston200

After having rebuilt my computer for this reason and others, I was dreading some of the solutions that were involved and didn't look like a real solution. This was simple and it worked great.

by basicneed

Thanx so much to the solution proffer(er. this just saved my entire Network. i have over 150 machines running on the network and am running AD on the network, thus if i format to reinstall my OS and printers, that will be a disaster since all objects in AD have a unique identifier. meaning i will have to reinstall printers on all the150 machines.
i am lucky i just had to search for a solution on the net right away... and God gracious... a solution on the HIGHWAYS.. screeching to my doorstep. thamx
seth

by xoe

After untold hours, and much good advice from here, including a post that Mcafee might be the cause, I am free of the beast.

Thanks to all !!!!!

by shaku

i can delete 5 files with .shd and .spl extension. but one file can't be deleted - FP0003.SPL shockwave flash object 16,370KB . message says other person or other program is using it. when I reboot the computer the same 6 pages are getting printed even if I have disconnected and connected the HP100 printer.
WHAT TO DO ?

by shaku

I had a problem deleting one SPL file . FP00003.SPL couldn't be deleted. I cleaned up the cache of the temporary files by opening Internet Explorer , tools,Internet Options,and by deleting the temporary files ! the problem was resolved. The printer is humming again. I am going to make it into a practice to delete temp files from cache from time to time !

by lxdca

My computer was updated to Windows XP from Windows 98 recently. The printer is HP LaserJet 1012 (USB only).

Whenever I plug the USB port into the computer and start intall the driver for the printer, the error message comes out as "Spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close. Operation could not be completed".

I tried the 810894 and 324757, and your solution. All of them could not solve this problem. There are no files in the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\spool\PRINTERS.

I guess that the problem is not from USB ports, because the other computers (same situation) has no problem at all.

Thanks!

by phill03

My son also upgraded to Win XP, ignored the suggestion to uninstall the printer before the upgrade and now has this spooler error. Even using all the cures from Microsoft and other helpful posters here, the problem is not fixed and he has not been able to use the printer for 6 weeks! Would a change of printer help? or does he have to do a reformat?

by adahan

I had the same alert: "Spooler subsystems App..."
I did exactly what you said :I only needed to look for hidden files...and I effectively suppressed 2 files: shd and spl extensions. Then, I could install the "HP" pilot of my printer (WindowsXP).
Guy.

by alex

Wonderful. I scrapped the files and all was back to normal.
Great resource!

by sharonlee

Great results! Only issue: correct path to spooler files was

c:\windows\system32\spool\printers\*.shd & *.spl
then printer dumped its memory on to paper then stopped.

Then uninstall & reinstall device (in my case hp1012 laserjet)

But, what could have caused it to happen?

Thanks again!!!!

by mchia824

I tried this solution but there are no files in my c:windows/system32/spool/printers file!! This is closes my current program when I try to print! Any suggestions? Thanks!!

by yjpark924

I came across a problem where an application (autocad, photoshop, sometimes office) freeze but when print spooler service is restarted, it works.
Also added printers disappear under printer folder but when I restart print spooler service they come back.
Does anybody know what is the cause of this problem?

by ceprise

Thank you Paul! Your solution was the last step for me. I didn't want to edit the Registry.

I also:
1. Under Settings:Control panel: Administrative Tools: Services... I scanned the Services list and found a Brother spooler and deactivated it.
2. Removed the .shd files from Paul's fix.
3. Restarted print spooler service in item 1 above.

BINGO! Worked Great!

by natalielovatt

After panicking that I had a virus/would have to take my laptop in to be fixed etc (not knowing a fantastic amount about computers!), I googled the error on the off-chance I could fix it. Luckily I found Paul's solution and I'm now printing on two printers.

Thanks for taking the time to share your solution with everyone.

Nat

by mark_perry

Paul,

You are truly a spooler error god.

We arn't installing any new or old printers. We'll be fine for a several months and then we get this error occasionally just simply trying to print a normal document.

The last time we ended up reinstalling XP to get rid of it. Your solution worked like a champ except that I couldn't locate where to locate "services" to stop the spooler.

I used the old DOS prompt to locate the indicated directory and deleted files. Reboot and it's back in business!

THANKS!!!!!

by julie_a_hood

You deserve a virtual glass of champagne!

I, too, looked at the Microsoft recommendation and didn't want to edit my registry so I'm so glad I found your solution.

Like someone else mentioned, the .shd and spooler files I deleted were time-stamped at the time the problem started.

For anyone else who is trying to find a solutin, there is at least one virus listed on the Norton site that could cause this error (but that wasn't my problem).

Thanks for taking the time to share!!

by manganoj

Paul,
You are a life saver. Searched many solutions, did not want to go MS route and edit registry, etc, etc.

Yours was elegant, simple and worked.

Much gratitute

by robg

Paul's solution worked for me as well, but if you've found this post and your like me you may not fully understand all of the steps required (Eventually, I figured it out).

First Paul mentions to "stop spooler under services." Finally after deleting the files mentioned, Paul says to "restart spooler service."

To stop and restart the service do this. Open "Control Panel," then go to "Administrative Tools."

Then click "Services" and look down the list and select "Print Spooler." Once the "Print Spooler" is highlighted, look to the top left of the window and you'll see "Start," "Restart" or "Stop the service." Select the appropriate function and delete the files Paul mentioned.

A slight correction on Paul's instructions: The files you are looking for are found at c:windows/system32/spool/printers(on WinXP anyway).

Also, I might recommend saving a copy of the .shd or .spl files (as a backup) on your desktop before deleting them from the directory above.

Hope this helps.

by haljoni

This absolutely worked for me. There were shockwave files. Because I'm not a techy, it was helpful to know that these .shd files were accessed through windows explorer. Thanks so much!

by john

Hi,
I had the same problem after trying to print a large bitmap file to a qms printer. I suppose some incompatibility in the drivers caused the problem.

I solved it by:
1. re-started the "printer spooler" service in system admin services panel, then
2. right clicked on the printer icon in the printer/faxes folder, selected "cancel all documents" --> click "ok" on the popup.

it's important to do this quickly after step 1, before the printer spooler crashes again.

by paulnuffer

I've had the same problem with a neighbor's HP computer. I'll be posting (probably on Monday) to let you know how it goes. It seems better than the registry solution.

She attempted to print a large pdf file, and it killed the spooler with the error messages in the original post.

Anyway, just to add to the information pile...

Paul

by mmogano

John. I have just had Print Spooler problems and tried everything suggested on this site and others but yours is the only one which has worked for me. Many thanks indeed. I wonder why this should work however and what causes the problem in the first place? Any ideas?

by mmogano

Hi John
Not sure if u have seen my post on TechRepublic but many thanks for solution which worked for me. I am intrigued how you came about it and if you have any idea what causes the problem in the first place so that we can try and avoid it in future!
Many thanks again
Mike Mogano

by ericl16215

If you have upgraded from 98 to XP, search for and delete any occurances of hpzimn12.dll and delete any found then reboot and all should be good.

by shane

Recently upgraded from Win98 to XP, tried to install an HP LaserJet 1300 and this worked BEAUTIFULLY!

Thank you, thank you, ERIC!

by dwilson

Thanks eric for the tip, has solved quite a few problems with removing that file.

by bking

I'm experiencing the same problem with a canon LBP-1210 plugged in through the USB. Driver loaded fine when plugged in, but when I go to print it comes up with an application stop message, and after rebooting I'm getting the "spooler subsystem app has encountered an problem and needs to close" error

by crystinne69

Guys, I read every think what you wrote and I hoped that I found the solution for my problem, which is the same " Spooler subsystem app has ..."

I've cleaned TEMP, Temporary Internet Files, I looked in PC for those files .shd or .spl but I don't find it!
Even system32 or spooler I don't find.

It is maybe because my Windows XP is in German? Or because I don't look properly? (I use "find")

by shamp22

i have the same problem with lbp 1210. Can anyone help, we have tried everything suggested here

by mtaylor

I followed Paul's advice on removing the .shd or the .spl files located in the c:\windows\system32\spool\printers folder. It solved the problem.

Thanks,

Matthew

by hjfoster

If the Print Spooler service is not operational, or you want to make certain there are no printer driver remnants, either follow the instructions below or use cleanspl.exe from the Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Resource Kit (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&DisplayLang=en). cleanspl.exe from the Windows 2003 Resource Kit tools will work on Windows XP.

Some information about cleanspl.exe:

cleanspl.exe does a very thorough job of cleaning up the print spooler stuff, but it does not remove the spooler service dependency on the Lexmark service (see special information about Lexmark printer drivers).

You can use it to clean up the spooler stuff on another computer (i.e. remotely).

When you run it, it asks you if you want to remove some things that are actually delivered (and installed by default) with Windows. In most cases, you should answer No to the corresponding prompts (you don't want to remove the Standard TCP/IP Port or the BJ Language Monitor).

by mmogano

I had this problem and resolved it as follows:
1 Restart printer spooler in system admin services panel;
2 Right click printer icon in Control Panel/Printers; select 'Cancel all Documents' and OK;
3 Must be done quickly before printer spooler crashes again!
Mike Mogano

by hjfoster

I worked on this for hours, and nothing posted on the net worked (including Microsoft KB), until I found this. This worked!

If the Print Spooler service is not operational, or you want to make certain there are no printer driver remnants, either follow the instructions below or use cleanspl.exe from the Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Resource Kit (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&DisplayLang=en). cleanspl.exe from the Windows 2003 Resource Kit tools will work on Windows XP.

Some information about cleanspl.exe:

cleanspl.exe does a very thorough job of cleaning up the print spooler stuff, but it does not remove the spooler service dependency on the Lexmark service (see special information about Lexmark printer drivers).

You can use it to clean up the spooler stuff on another computer (i.e. remotely).

When you run it, it asks you if you want to remove some things that are actually delivered (and installed by default) with Windows. In most cases, you should answer No to the corresponding prompts (you don't want to remove the Standard TCP/IP Port or the BJ Language Monitor).

by sgfsaf

After finding this site and information, I used the suggestion of cleanspl.exe and it fixed the described problem. Thanks, as a non tech person, it saved me lots of time trying to figure out how to deal with the situation.

by philkan

I was able to fix this error on Win XP SP2 by uninstalling McAfee Privacy Service.

by kawachan000

I also encountered the spooler subsystem app error but have just solved. One of the reasons for this problem is improper uninstallation of a printer. When you install a new printer, there are conflicts between new and old printer drivers. The suggestion of deleting some files and editing registry absolutely cannot solve this cause. I have tried a traditional and simple method: reinstall the driver of the old printer and then install the new printer. The problem are then solved. I am not sure it is an effective way. But if you also face this problem and have already tried the useless Microsoft's suggestion, my method may be of use.

by mkelsey

We have seen these exact symptoms with HP 1000 and HP 1020 LaserJet printers. We have to go into the spooler folder, then Printers, and manually delete the files that the system could not cleanup.
We have not been able to find a permanant solution yet, so if you do, please let me know.

by gary

Thank you! This took 3 minutes to do. I was looking at doing the registry operation as proposed by Microsoft and found this article and thought I'd give it a try before comitting a hour to the surgical procedure. This worked great!

by geoffhai

The print spooler problem is caused by the existence of Shockwave files in the PRINTER folder which is a sub-folder of the "spool" folder i.e. C:/WINDOWS/System32/spool/PRINTER
These files prevent the document being loaded into the PRINTER folder. When one deletes them, sometimes it is necessary to restart the computer, the problem disappears. It seems to be caused when one prints an Adobe Acrobat file with version X. I have only had the problem since I upgraded to X.

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