Add Printer Wizard Hangs When Searching for Remote Printers

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51 and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51 and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to browse for printers using the Add Printer Wizard and selecting Network Printer Server and choosing Next, the Connect to Printer dialog box may stop responding (hang). The status displays "Working..." but control never returns to the user.

CAUSE

The above symptom may occur for one of the following reasons:

  - Creation of null printer shares on the print server

    NullSessionShares can be added for Downlevel print clients who may not
    have an account or because of a conflicting account. For more
    information on NullSessionShares, please see the following Microsoft
    Knowledge Base article:

      ARTICLE-ID: Q121853
      TITLE     : Downlevel Print Jobs Not Redirected Correctly

  - Domain names containing a comma (',') in the first character position.

RESOLUTION

Winspool.drv has been redesigned to take these queues into account when browsing the domain for printers.

To resolve this problem, obtain the hotfix below, or wait for the next service pack.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.