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CharAp

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XP Spoolsv.exe

I have a Dell Dimension 9200 XP SP3 2GB RAM  Was working OK but now comes up with Spoolsv.exe Instruction at (various addresses) referenced memory at (same various addresses) the memory could not be read.  As an aside on startup I get a similar message re LUCOMS~1.EXE but if I cancel that does not reappear and Norton AV works fine. I have tried the usual restarting Spooler Service, the Registry changes suggested by Q312052, deleting all .spl files etc. but to no avail.... Only printer attached is an Epson R1800. Any more ideas? This problem means I cannot print from this PC and that the error keeps appearing which is even more of a pain.
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Krompton
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Do a repair install of the OS. (Not using the Repair Console) Same as full install but it will identify previous install of windows and ask if you whish to repair it.
Good step-by-step here http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-repair-Windows-XP-t138.html

Easiest if you have an install disk with the same Service Pack Level you are currently running else you have to reinstall them.

Krompton
Try the Print Spooler cleaner from Microsoft. It is normally part of the network resource kit, but can be downloaded from here as a zip file:

http://www.box.net/public/e5s70dctj8

Check this page for it's use and instructions:

http://www.howtonetworking.com/print/cleanspooler.htm

You will need to re-install any printers after running this utility.
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CharAp

ASKER

Already tried the Print Spooler Cleaner, sorry forgot to mention that, made no difference.

Was hoping not to have to do a reinstall as the install CD is SP1 not SP3.

You can try this if you have access to another pc. You would need to install the same printer on another pc and then follow the procedure below. It allows you to export then import all the drivers and settings applicable to the printer. If you do this, make sure that the printer is working properly on the source machine first with no errors.

Print Migrator

1. Download from http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/5/2/452d431e-5a5c-43bd-b398-6fc27208e001/printmig.exe
2. Run on the Source pc
3. Actions > Backup
4. Choose a name and location for the backup file. > Open
5. The Print info is packed into the cab file.
6. Copy the Cab file AND Printmig.exe to the new pc
7. On the Target pc run printmig.exe
8. Action > Restore > Browse to the cab file you copied across > Open
9. The printers > Drivers and settings will all be imported to the new pc
Avatar of CharAp

ASKER

Flubbster: I will try that but will that really fix spoolsv?
The error could be caused by an improperly configured driver. It is very difficult to truly remove a printer driver completely. There are a couple of things you could try first if you like.

1.
Add a new printer. Pick one that is very basic and has the drivers built-in to XP, like an old hp orepson, etc. Make it the default. Boot to safe mode. Uninstall the problem printer. When a new printer is made the default, Xp "Unloads" the driver, making it fully able to remove it. Reboot and try installing the printer again.

2.
Go into your printer settings and change it so that everything is printed directly to the printer. There should be a setting along the lines of "Spool printing" or "print directly to printer" The spooler simply allows bnackground printing while you are doing other things. If it works ok printing directly, then it is a pure spool issue. If you still get an error of some type, then it is a driver issue.
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ASKER

System wont let me add any printers as the Spooler service is not running. When I start the Spooler service I get the above error almost immediately and so back to square 1. All printers had disappeared from the Control Panel before I started deleting system keys etc.
Domino effect....

Do you have an XP CD???

If so, you may need to do a sfc /scannow  from start>run

This will scan all the critical windows files for anything missing or corrupted. You can try without the CD and point it to the c:\i386 folder if you like. This sometimes works also.
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ASKER

Ran a sfc /scannow but came up with no issues.
ahhhhhhh... the delights of Microsoft....

okey-dokey...

click on start>run and type in the following, then hit enter:

services.msc

Expand the window and scroll down to Print Spooler Service and verify that Startup type is set to automatic.
Verify that "Path to executable" says: C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe

Select the Logon tab.
Verify that "Local System Account" is selected and there is a check in "Allow system to interact with desktop"

Now look for RPC (not RPC Locator)

Verify that the RPC service is started and running. Spool service depends on RPC to work.
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ASKER

Print Spooler - Already done
RPC - already done
Logon/Local System Account - I will check
If you have the original XP CD and a CD-Burner you can slipstream SP3. Then you'll just need the patches since then. CDBurnerXP is a freeware program you can use if you do not have Nero or some other program already. Good reference here:
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=359

Cheers,
Krompton
Additionally, doing a reinstall in the manner I mentioned eariler will not lose any programs or settings. It only reinstalls the OS files. I done this a few times in the past for stubborn problems and I can't remember any problem that was not Virus related that it did not fix.
That being said, it is always a good idea to do a good backup as a matter of standard procedure.

Krompton
Ran into a similar issue like this for a client.  Best solution was to get a new HDD and start over.  I did various things and it worked for about 2-3 weeks and then the issue popped back up.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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CharAp

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