Network Printing Problem

[SpuffMonkey]

We've been having a strange problem since we got back - any ideas appreciated...

 

Sometimes, certain network printers seem to stop receiving print requests. We're all 2003/XP and the printers are all HP with JetDirect cards. The user gets an error message on screen that reads

 

Your file could not be printed due to an error on \\serverx\printer on Ne01

 

There are several possible causes

 

Not enough memory

Network connection problem

Loose cables

 

Then no one can print to that printer until an administrator prints to it - at which point it becomes available to all and starts working again??? I did put on the latest 2003 patches over Xmas - could it be that?? The fact that an admin print frees up all the others suggests its a server problem - but for the life of me I can't see anything wrong with the setup which was working fine up til Xmas.

 

Cheers

[GrumbleDook]

You've deleted the share and added it back in again?

Is it the same with the share for a new printer?

 

What do the logs say. Look for the service crasking and restarting, I have had it that when it crashes it takes and admin print for the servie to restart properly.

[Geoff]

Sounds like a printer driver issue. Try upgrading the drivers to the latest and/or using the stock windows drivers. Also, try rebooting your jetdirect cards. I've found external ones go a bit odd after a few months of uptime.

[E1uSiV3]

Used to have a similar probelm to this, i was using the stock windows drivers for the HP 2100s and 2200s and the used to hang like you mention. I rebuilt the print server and decided to use the manufacturers printer drivers (more specifically the PCL6 drivers) and since then everything functioned correctly till the day i left.

[TechMonkey]

Word of warning, I have found PCL6 drivers to be pretty pants! We have rolled all ours back to 5. We had all kinds if issues from logo's not printing or printing upside down, wierd text placement, complete dropping of printers by stations and other issues all solved by the roll back.

 

But as ever if it works for you, don't touch!

[Dos_Box]

Is your spooler folder on a seperate drive (other than C:)?

[tarquel]

Are you using Print Manager Plus at all?

 

You might want to check for updates / patches [tho I use 5.5 - no maintainance with no probs] also & try the starting / stopping the PMP & printer spooling services.

 

Does the printers still have the correct share permissions?

 

Cheers

N.