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Q246729: Access Violations in Spooler Service Printing Long Named Job

Article: Q246729
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbgraphxlinkcritical
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

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

The Windows NT Server spooler process may generate "Access violation" error
messages and stop responding (hang) intermittently. When this occurs, an error
message may be displayed, indicating that the print job was not finished
successfully because the printer is out of paper or another hardware problem has
occurred.

CAUSE
=====

This behavior can occur with a print job with a long name. If the print job name
is longer than 200 bytes and the printer also has a hardware problem, the
spooler service may not generate an error message. This behavior can occur even
if you are logged on locally.

RESOLUTION
==========

To correct this behavior, apply the Service Pack 6 Terminal Edition fix, which
is included in the security patch on the following web site:

  http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms99-047.asp

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to
correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to
systems experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional
testing at a later time, to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you
are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait
for the next Windows NT 4.0 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services
to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services
phone numbers and information about support costs, please go to the following
address on the World Wide Web:

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

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may
be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific
update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional
support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in
question.

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download
Center:

  DownloadDownload Q243649.exe now
  (http://download.microsoft.com/download/winntsrv40/Patch/Spooler-fix/NT4/EN-US/Q243649.exe)
  (Intel)

  DownloadDownload Q243649.exe now
  (http://download.microsoft.com/download/winntsrv40/Patch/Spooler-fix/ALPHA/EN-US/Q243649.exe)
  (Alpha)

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click
the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft used the most current virus detection software available on the date of
posting to scan this file for viruses. After it is posted, the file is housed on
secure servers that prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

NOTE: You must be running Service Pack 4 (SP4) or later to apply this fix.




WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, you can use either of the following methods:

- Do not print jobs with very long names.

- Keep the printer online and add paper.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are
listed at the beginning of this article.

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

For information about setting up a debug session using a modem, click the
article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q243649 Unchecked Print Spooler Buffer May Expose System Vulnerability


Additional query words: spoolss

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbgraphxlinkcritical 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch
Version           : winnt:4.0
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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