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Q161969: LPR Printing Device Reports an Error If Printer Not Available

Article: Q161969
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbprint kbWinNT400sp4fix
Last Modified: 07-SEP-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition 
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SYMPTOMS
========

After you install Service Pack 5 (SP5) for Windows NT version 3.51 or Service
Pack 2 (SP2) or 3 (SP3) for Windows NT version 4.0, you may receive one of the
following error messages:

- There was an error writing to the IP address.

  -or-

- Unexpected Network Error

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs when a line printer remote (LPR) printing device does not
respond for 15 minutes. A debug timer is being set for 15 minutes of no
connection to the printer.

An LPR printing device may stop responding if the printer is out of paper or if
it is taken offline.

This error can also happen if the host name fails to resolve to an IP address.
The fix referenced below does not take care of this issue. This issue can be
worked around by providing a proper host name resolution method, such as DNS or
HOSTS file.

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  ARTICLE-ID: Q185892
  TITLE : Unwanted Popup Message While Printing to an LPR Printer

RESOLUTION
==========

To work around this problem and resume printing, clear the dialog box at the
server.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or
Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information,
please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT
Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows
NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
Service Pack 4.


Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51 SP5. A
supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression tested and
should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you
are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you
wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft
Technical Support for more information.


MORE INFORMATION
================

Prior to installing one of the service packs listed above, Windows NT logs an
event 2004 to the event log and continues retrying the print job until it is
cancelled.

Additional query words: lpd popup

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbprint kbWinNT400sp4fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch kbWinNTS351search
Version           : winnt:3.51,4.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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