standard Spoolsv.exe solution
1. If possible, remove any printers that are listed in the Printers window.
To remove a printer, right-click the printer in the Printers window, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.
2. In the Printers window, on the File menu, click Server Properties.
3. On the Drivers tab, remove all of the installed printer drivers.
To remove a printer driver, click the driver, click Remove, and then click Yes to confirm.
4. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
5. Export the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print
6. Delete any items that are listed under the following keys (do not delete the keys themselves):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers\Version-2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers\Version-3
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers\Version-2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers\Version-3
7. Delete any non-default items that are listed under the following keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Monitors
The list of Default monitors includes:
• AppleTalk Printing Devices (When Services for Macintosh is installed)
• BJ Language Monitor
• Local Port
• PJL Language Monitor
• Standard TCP/IP Port
• USB Monitor
• Windows NT Fax Monitor (When a Fax Modem is installed)
For additional information about which items are not default, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
260142 (
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260142/EN-US/) How to Troubleshoot Windows Printing Problems
8. Delete any items that are listed under the following keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Printers
9. Quit Registry Editor.
10. Restart your computer, and then reinstall the necessary printers.
