Users May Lose Designated Default Printer After Multiple Logins

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.51

SYMPTOMS

The designated default printer is lost after multiple attempts to log on and log off the network. Applications, such as Microsoft Word, fail to print and report that no default printer is defined on the system.

CAUSE

The Windows NT Spooler Service updates the user's profile with an invalid default printer name while trying to set the default printer for the user.

MORE INFORMATION

The Microsoft Windows NT Spooler Service attempts to set the designated default printer in a user's profile while logging on. The Windows NT Spooler Service determines the default printer to use by checking to see if the user's profile already has a default printer selected, then checking to see what the first printer defined on the local system is. The Spooler Service will update the local user's profile with the printer information already defined in the user's profile if the printer information exists on the local computer. However, if that printer information is not on the local computer, Spoolss will update the user's profile with the first printer found on the local system.

RESOLUTION

Install the fix referenced below. Spoolss.dll has been modified to set the default printer correctly when using the first printer found on the system.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. A supported fix is now available, but is not fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information.