Unexpected Print Results When Printer Is Turned On After Startup

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
• Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server versions 4.0, 4.0a, 4.5

SYMPTOMS

Print jobs are not printed completely if the printer is not turned on and in an online status before Windows NT starts. An error message is displayed indicating the printer is not available.

CAUSE

The parallel port driver sends data to the LPT port without first checking the status of the printer. If the printer is powered off, the sent data is lost. When the printer is subsequently turned on, the parallel port driver sends the rest of the data (because the driver assumes the initial portion was received successfully). The result is incorrect output or the inability to print.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

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

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 nt4sp5fix
Version : winnt:4.0,4.0a,4.5
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug