Urgent: Win2K Server locking up when accessing printers

[DanZeMan]

I can get the server to start no problem, but whenever an attempt is made to access the printers, either by user printing, or by my going to the <start> - <settings> - <printers>, the machine stops responding, and needs to be hard-booted.
I have tried re-starting services (Print Spooler, and TCP/IP Printing)
We are using JetDirect, and I've tried to find an update at HP, but no luck.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Catadmin]

Have you gone under the Printer's Properties and tried the &quot;Print Directly To Printer&quot; Option? This will help determine if your spooler is corrupted or not. If you can print directly to the printer, sounds like there's a spooler problem.

If you can't print directly, then there are a few things to try. First, see if Microsoft has a newer driver of the printer. It might be causing problems with W2k. Then again, does this JetDirect even have a 2000 version of a driver? If not, that might also be causing the problem. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling the printer and re-creating it.

Beyond that, I would try microsoft's website,

http://www.microsoft.com/technet.

I hope that helps.
Catadmin - New to Server Admin, but willing to learn... All help is appreciated.

 

[DanZeMan]

Thanks for the advice, but I was unable to print directly either. Turns out that JetDirect ports are no longer supported in Win2K, instead you have to use Simple TCP/IP Ports. After redirecting the printer to a dummy port, and deleting and re-creating the port as a Simple TCPIP port, it worked fine.
Still don't think that a printing problem should bring down the OS, but what do I know ;-)

 

[Catadmin]

Actually, that makes sense. All Windows OS's have had problems with software Microsoft doesn't support. Part of the reason the whole anti-trust lawsuit has come up. When Microsoft can't make any money off it, they donna wanna deal with it. @=/

Makes our jobs harder.
Catadmin - New to Server Admin, but willing to learn... All help is appreciated.