Huge spool file created for small document

[cammy]

Hi

I have a 9MB word document which is created after a mail merge. When I try to print this document to a HP deskjet printer it creates a spool file of around 140MB (seen by double clicking on the printer icon when it is spooling).

I also monitored the CPU usage and PF usage while the document was printing. The CPU usage was pretty much hitting 100% throughout and the PF usage climbed gradually from 150MB to over 800MB. Eventually the PC gave up the ghost and the document failed to print with the virtual memory running out of space. I changed the settings for the Paging File and set it to be controlled by the system but this didn't work.

I also messed around with the printer properties and changed the spool settings but this didn't solve the problem.

I can print this document no problem on a laser printer but it needs to be in colour.

If anyone has any ideas about why this relatively small document is taking over nearly a GB of virtual memory I would be grateful for ideas.

Thanks

Cam

 

[tf1]

Possibly something as simple as a corrupt printer driver? Try deleting and reinstalling the printer.

Mind you, 9MB is fairly large for a document: how many pages does it comprise and what has been merged?

Regards: tf1

 

[cammy]

It is a 74 page document that has been merged from a word doc and an excel file.

Cam

 

[tf1]

It is probably corrupt. 9 MB is far too large for just 74 pages unless you have it filled with many large graphic objects. Try recreating the document again.


Regards: tf1

 

[cammy]

I should have added that this happens on a weekly basis with this merge file. It contains a jpeg on each page which probably pushes the file size up considerably.

Cam

 

[tf1]

The spool size is probably correct for a document that comprises 74 pages, each with a JPEG. Because the document is now not printing correctly, it suggests either the document or printer driver has become corrupt.

If it is the former, see the following FAQ:

http://word.mvps.org/faqs/apperrors/CorruptDoc.htm

If ity is the latter, delete and reinstall the printer (checking that you have the latest driver first).


Regards: tf1