Serial Service Won't Stop with Serial Printer Installed

Last reviewed: March 20, 1997
Article ID: Q156958
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When a serial printer is installed on Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 workstation or server, the serial service cannot be stopped, even when there are no jobs being printed.

CAUSE

The spooler design assumes that it exclusively holds a port when a printer is connected and a print queue is created. The design does not allow for other applications to do bidirectional communication with devices.

RESOLUTION

A new version of Localmon.dll has been developed that allows the serial service to be stopped, even when a serial printer is attached. Once the serial service is stopped, other applications can access the port. This version of Localmon.dll is not needed in most environments.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K


Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00.sp2 kbnetwork kbprint ntprint NTSrvWkst
Version : 4.0
Platform : WinNT


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: March 20, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.