Windows NT May Not be Able to Print Without Change Permissions

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

In Windows NT, if you are trying to print to a local printer and you only have the Read and Execute permissions (with NTFS) to the WINNT\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS directory, you may not be able to print from an MS-DOS application or a command prompt (CMD.EXE).

The print job spools to the local print queue, but there will not be any output. If you check the Event Viewer in the error (system) log, there will be entries listing the print job request, but with 0 pages printed. To remove the print jobs that won't print from the queue, shut down and restart Windows NT.

RESOLUTION

To print correctly from MS-DOS applications and the command prompt, add either the Change or Full Control permissions to the WINNT\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS subdirectory by doing the following:

1. Log on as an Administrator and open the File Manager.

2. Select the \WINNT\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS directory.

3. From the Security menu, choose Permissions.

4. In the Directory Permissions dialog box, select the name of the desired User or Group and select the Change or Full Control permissions to this directory.