Some Applications Unable to Print to or View Some Printers

Last reviewed: August 22, 1996
Article ID: Q122919

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

When you upgrade from Windows NT version 3.1 to Windows NT version 3.5, some applications, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, may not be able to view or print to newly created or connected printers if you have stopped and then restarted the Spooler service. This problem only occurs with the user account that was logged on when the Spooler service was stopped and restarted.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by incorrect security permissions being written to a section of the Registry from where some applications get printer data. Because this section is set to Read Only, new printers are not written to it and some applications will not be able to access the newly created printers.

WORKAROUND

To correct this problem, change Administrators to Full Control in both the Devices and PrinterPorts keys, using the Registry Editor as follows:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide

   problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them.
   Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of
   Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

Start Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE).

From the HKEY_CURRENT_USER subtree, go to the following subkey:

      \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

Select the Devices subkey and from the menu, select Security, Permissions.

Change Administrators to Full Control and choose OK.

Select the PrinterPorts subkey and from the menu, select Security, Permissions.

Change Administrators to Full Control and choose OK.

Exit Registry Editor.

Open the Properties Of A Created Printer dialog box in Print Manager, choose OK, and the Created printers will be rewritten to the Registry. Connected To Printers must be recreated.

NOTE: This problem will occur again if the Spooler service is stopped and restarted. Use the above procedure if necessary.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5. This problem was corrected in Windows NT Workstation or Server version 3.51.

Additional reference words: prodnt 3.50 powerpoint 6.00 6.00a 6.00c ntword
wordnt
winword recognize word6 default word for windows 5.00 5.00a 5.00c excel for
windows
KBCategory: kbprint kbbug3.50
KBSubcategory: ntprint NTSrvWkst

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.

Last reviewed: August 22, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.