Err Msg: Printer Setting Could Not Be Saved. Data Area Passed to a System Call Is Too Small.

ID: Q216814

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4

SYMPTOMS

When you check the properties of a shared printer by using the Printers folder, you may get the following error message after you click OK, even without making any changes:

Printer setting could not Be saved. Data area passed to a system call is too small.
122L Error_insufficiant_Buffer
You may also find that this shared printer does not appear in the shared resources list when you click Shares in the Server tool in Control Panel, or when you do a net view command.

Also, Network clients will not be able to see the printer when trying to browse and connect to it.


CAUSE

This error can occur if the specific printer's share on the print server becomes corrupted.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Start, click Settings, and then click Printers.


  2. Right-click the problem printer, and then click Sharing.


  3. Write down the share name of the printer.


  4. Stop sharing this printer by clicking the Not Shared radio button, and then close the printer folder.


  5. Open Control Panel, double-click Services, select the Spooler Service, click Stop, and then click Start.


  6. After the Spooler Service restarts, open the printer folder and re-create the printer share using the share name found in step 3. Do this by clicking Start, clicking Settings, and then clicking Printers. Right-click the problem printer, and then click Sharing. Click the Shared radio button, and then share the printer with the same name as before.



MORE INFORMATION

The above steps are a workaround that should eliminate the error message received when viewing the printer's properties and also enable the printer to again be seen on the network.

This exact cause of the share corruption is not known at this time.

Additional query words:

Keywords :
Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: March 11, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.