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Q216905: Downlevel Clients Can Cause Excessive Spooler CPU Usage

Article: Q216905
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbWinNT400sp5fix
Last Modified: 16-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Connecting to a Windows NT print queue from a Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98
client can cause the spooler process (Spoolss.exe) to approach 100 percent CPU
usage if a large number of print jobs are in the queue. Another possible symptom
of this issue is that the print queue window on the client may become
unresponsive. A network trace between the client and the print server shows
continuous remote procedure call (RPC) traffic as the client repeatedly attempts
to enumerate the list of print jobs in the queue.

Windows NT clients are unaffected by this issue.

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs because the number of print jobs that the downlevel client
can retrieve exceeded the 64 KB limit.


RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or
the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service
pack, please go to:

- http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/

-or-

- Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft
Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support
Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the
following address on the World Wide Web:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT Version 4.0. This
problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

Additional query words: 4.00 win95 win98

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Keywords          : kbWinNT400sp5fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : winnt:4.0
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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