Print Spooler service not running

what is sfc /scannow???

where do i get a new version of the spoolsv.exe file

system file checker
>>  where do i get a new version of the spoolsv.exe file  <<   from another system with the same OS - verify yours is ONLY located in the system32 directory
look also here :

www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/spoolsv.exe.html
www.liutilities.com/products/ wintaskspro/processlibrary/spoolsv/

i foound a spollsv.exe in several other locals

C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386
C:\WINDOWS\prefetch
C:\WINDOWS\$NTuninstallKB896423$
C|WINDOWS\$NTSERVICEPACKUNINSTALL$
C|WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB896423|SP2QFE

I have not tried the getting the spoolsv.exe from another OS system yet

they can be malware, as stated in the links i gave, so check them out.

nothing comes up looking like it can be malaware-- actually when i ran the neuber program nothing came up with spoolsv.exe in it

Try doing a System Restore to a day before your printer stopped working
(Start --> Programs--> Accessories --> System Tools --> System restore, follow the wizard)

did you run SFC ?

>>I still cant add a printer

What actions are you going through to add the printer and what error message(s) are you getting?

I am going to the control panel and ADD Printer.
Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.

Can you start the print spooler from :
start>mycomputer - right click it and select Manage
now select services, select print spooler and righ click it, select start

yes I have tried this already-- several times and it did not work
have even done this and rebooted... and nothing

nobus- yes ran SFC- nothing happened- a black screen popped up and went away-

>>  nothing happened- a black screen popped up and went away   <<  did it run for 20' ?
about the black screen - can it be you have malware ? in that case, i suggest running ALL these- updated - and preferably in safe mode :

     adaware :      http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
     Spybot :        http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/                                                               online scan for trojans
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html                                   download
http://www.hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english                                check the log
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx       Anti spyware

it sounds like sfc did not run, possibly due to a syntax error, may be you missed an n in scaNNow (the black svreen was your cmd prompt)
try opening a cmd box first the at the prompt type sfc /scannow
at the run box type cmd, then at the black box type sfc /scannow

I have all these applications- and  I will make sure they are all updated and run them again-
Why in safe mode? Are there trojans/malaware that is not seen if not in safe mode?

RedItAus- I did run it again and got the window I needed- rebooted and still the same error- print spooler is not running

I will run all these tonite and reboot and try to add the printer once again

>>   Why in safe mode?   <<  quicker, no drivers loaded, etc...

what are the properties on your print spooler service?
I am particularly interested in the log on and recovery tabs, may be the log on properties have been changed by some malware? Log on should be as a local system account, allow to interact with desktop
Also, rathert than starting the spooler from the run box or from services, try starting it from a cmd box this may give us better feedback to why the service is not starting.

Tried all the software- removed some things from the hijack log- 3 things- related to a websearch thing- nothing that looked bad came up

The Print Spooler Properties is set to startup automatic
and the LOGON tab has the Local system account checked- i Had checked that at one point already

In the service window- the print spooler is always started..so the error makes no sense to me

When I delete my printers drivers and then re-add- It goes thru the entire 'Found new hardware' process... "Found new Hardware- hppsc 2400 series... then the window pops up that says
"Found new hardware wizard"
Inside that window it states
Cannnot install this hardware
An error occured during installation of this device
The RPC Server is unavailable

Oh and I did a restore back to 1/1/06
Nothing really changed but when I did run the sfc/scannow command- it did scan all the windows apps- but when it complete- the window went away and nothing ever came up.

If I only remember to add all this in one post-- I did also start the spooler service from the command prompt-
It states "spooler service has been started successfully"
When I go to ADD PRINTER_ I still get that same error- "The Print Spooler Service is not running"

maybe time for a repair install :

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/      

You mayt have corrupt drivers or a registry setting.

Do you also get an error if your try this manually installing a non exiisting printer to lpt1: ?
 Do not connect your printer when doing this.
 Click on add a printer
  select local --> lpt1:
  select the generic text only driver

If the above works I would say that your spooler is OK, try cleaning your system by downloading the printer delete utility from here : http://www.kyoceramita-europe.com/html/view/Downloads/Utilities.asp?table=Utilities&se=1#.asp
Delete everything this utility can find registry keys, orphan files, drivers etc. then reboot your pc.
Go to add/remove programs and remove all software related to your printer, reboot again
Now try to install the printer as per manufacturers instructions (i.e. it may ask you to run the installer CD BEFORE you connect the printer)
 Alternatively install the driver manually and connect the printer after.

Type deleter on the quick search utility to find the deleter download

I can not view the File>server properties because it says print spooler not available

can this help ?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324757

I actually have already tried this.

I guess I am going to start the process of saving all my files to CD and going thru the files to prepare to reinstall windows- I am giving up- its been almost  a month now and i need my printer.

Just to let you all know
It seems that my HD is now bad- and I have a new one on the way....

No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.
I will leave the following recommendation for this question in the Cleanup topic area:

PAQ/Refund

Any objections should be posted here in the next 4 days. After that time, the question will be closed.

hdhondt
EE Cleanup Volunteer