Q273034: Cannot Share Printer if Spooler Service Not Using System Account

Article: Q273034
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork kbtool
Last Modified: 06-AUG-2002

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you view the Printers folder, it may be empty, and this may occur even
though printers are installed. Also, you may receive the following error message
in Event Viewer:

  Event ID 19: Sharing printer failed, printer name\print share.

CAUSE
=====

This issue can occur if the Startup value of the Spooler service is not set to
use the "System Account" and is not set to interact with the desktop.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, set the Spooler service to use the "System Account" and
set it to interact with the desktop:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click
  Services.

2. Click the Spooler service, and then click Startup.

3. Set the Startup type to "automatic," set the Log On type to "System Account,"
  and click to select the "Allow service to Interact with desktop" check box.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork kbtool 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : :4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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

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.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.