unable to print to shared printers

From: Chuck Welch (ChuckWelch_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 01/25/05 

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 12:39:06 -0800

Netowork Desc: 1 windows 2003 server and 2 win2k servers approx 40 win98
machines. Some win98 boxes share printers for their area of the building
All worked well until the 2003 was added to the network. Since adding the
2003 to the network,quit often people when people print, they recieve the
error:
"There was an error printing to \\machinename\printersharename on printer
sharename due to an unknown internal system error. The printer will be
placed offline. Please reboot and try printing again."

All of the win98 machines have dsclient.exe install and there are no
problems with file shareing or accessing other resources on the network. DNS
is set up properly as far as the DHCP server goes. I tried disabling SMB
Signing and left it off for 24hrs and problem continued. I disabled in
domain policy Digitally sign communications. I also have netbios over tcp/ip
enabled.

Next, if I go to c:\windows\spool\printers and delete all of the spooler
files, the printer instantly start printing again. I have had the folder open
and had someone send a print job and watch multiple files appear, but not all
of them disappear. I am not sure if the spool files should always delete
when the job is finished printing.

I have been totally stumped by this for 1.5 weeks now and am looking for
suggestions.... any suggestion and I am willing to try anything to make this
problem go away. IF anyone can suggest anything please post. I will be
notified as replys are added.

Thanks
Chuck Welch

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Networking XP
    ... how many machines are trying to connect to the 'server'?? ... Wireless network with a cheap linksys router giving DHCP ... > Guest account is enabled on this box. ... > check from the pc serving the printer and printing goes as expected. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Networking XP
    ... how many machines are trying to connect to the 'server'?? ... Wireless network with a cheap linksys router giving DHCP ... > Guest account is enabled on this box. ... > check from the pc serving the printer and printing goes as expected. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Networking XP
    ... how many machines are trying to connect to the 'server'?? ... Wireless network with a cheap linksys router giving DHCP ... > Guest account is enabled on this box. ... > check from the pc serving the printer and printing goes as expected. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: unable to print to shared printers
    ... Where does the Windows 2003 Server fit in? ... Some win98 boxes share printers for their area of the building ... > All of the win98 machines have dsclient.exe install and there are no ... the printer instantly start printing again. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.networking)
  • Slow print to printer shared on XP PC from 98 PC
    ... I have three other machines on the ... network that are Win 98. ... When I look at the print job a long time is spent with the document ... Before I converted my PC printing was really quick! ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)