Spooler Subsystem App has stopped working

DUPLICATED IN ERROR PLEASE RESPOND TO THE OTHER COPY THANK YOU
I tried to install a network printer for my client on a Vista Home Premium laptop.
I got an error message saying that the spooler service was not running.
So I went to services.msc and started the service, however it stops almost immediately and the message is "an error" caused this - well hello?
I also noted that only "important" windows updates can be installed, those which are simply "recommended" consistently fail to install.
All input gratefully received as ever
Re-posted cus no one responded