HP DeskJet 500-Series Driver May Not Return All System Resources

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

After you print numerous jobs from Windows NT 4.0 to your Hewlett-Packard (HP) DeskJet 500-series printer, you may notice that your computer is running low on system resources. This problem may eventually lead to system instability and low-memory errors.

CAUSE

The HP DeskJet 500-series printer driver included with Windows NT 4.0 may not return all system resources used during a printing operation.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, reboot the computer from which you are printing. This reinitializes all memory and system resources used by Windows NT 4.0.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Total kernel memory may grow and not be fully reduced to its initial size after printing is completed when you are printing to an HP DeskJet 500- series printer. Kernel memory usage may grow slightly after one print job is completed and continue to grow slightly after each succeeding print job.

Because the amount of kernel memory lost with each print job is relatively small (generally 30-40K), this issue occurs only after a very large number of print jobs are printed without rebooting the computer.

To view total kernel memory, follow these steps:

1. Use the right mouse button to click an empty area on the taskbar, and then click Task Manager.

2. Click the Performance tab. The Total value in the Kernel Memory area lists the total kernel memory value.