KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q147347: Application Error in SPOOLSS.EXE When Printing

Article: Q147347
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 2000,3.5,3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork
Last Modified: 21-MAR-2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

When you attempt to print or configure the printer in Windows NT, you may
receive the following error message:

  An application error has occurred and an application error log is being
  generated.

  SPOOLSS.EXE

  Exception: access violation (0xc0000005), Address: <Hex address>

IN Windows 2000, you may receive the following error message:

  An application error has occurred and an application error log is being
  generated.

  SPOOLSV.EXE

  Exception: access violation (0xc0000005), Address: <Hex address>

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs if you have many .SHD and .SPL files in the spool directory.
The global default location for all printer spool files is
%SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS. If your spool directory is in a different
location, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q123747 Moving the Windows NT Default Paging and Spool File

RESOLUTION
==========

To correct this problem, stop the Spooler service, and remove the .SHD and .SPL
files from your spool directory. In addition, remove any unused or old .TMP
files from your Temp directory. The Spooler service can then be restarted.

Additional query words: prodnt

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search kbWinAdvServSearch
Version           : :2000,3.5,3.51,4.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.