Downlevel Clients Can Cause Excessive Spooler CPU Usage

ID: Q216905

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Connecting to a Windows NT print queue from a Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98 client can cause the spooler process (Spoolss.exe) to approach 100 percent CPU usage if a large number of print jobs are in the queue. Another possible symptom of this issue is that the print queue window on the client may become unresponsive. A network trace between the client and the print server shows continuous remote procedure call (RPC) traffic as the client repeatedly attempts to enumerate the list of print jobs in the queue.

Windows NT clients are unaffected by this issue.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the number of print jobs that the downlevel client can retrieve exceeded the 64 KB limit.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, a fee may be charged. This fee is refundable if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested. However, this fee is non-refundable if you request additional technical support, if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT Version 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

Additional query words: 4.00 win95 win98

Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 nt4sp5fix
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug