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Topic: Kodak AiO 5100 printer & SPOOLER problem |
Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Dec 2007 12:05 pm |
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Well,
If anyone is interested in the just-out Kodak printers, I've been experiencing error flags for the past couple of weeks and have ignored them [cuz I don't know what they mean], but continued on with the printer and everything seemed to be hunky-dory.
Until just now.
Got another error flag, and now the printer has lost all it's functions [it seems].
The flag said: spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close; (we are sorry about this) - yeah, thanks
This spooler error flag has been the same all along for the past 2 weeks or so.
I suppose if I reboot, everything will come back, but something is going on.
Wiz?, Jack?, anyone?
Help!
TIA,
Chipper  |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 18 Dec 2007 3:35 pm
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Sounds like corrupted drivers and they will need to be reinstalled. But, check the Kodak site to see if there are any updated drivers and if there are, install those.
You may have to uninstall the Kodak and the software, disconnect the unit from the PC and restart Windows,then do a new install (and do not connect the unit until the install program tells you - an important step). |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Dec 2007 4:52 pm
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Thank you, Jack
As a matter of fact, here are some interesting things.
Kodak has an option to align your computer TIME with it's TIME. When I went for this (about 2 months ago -haven't had the printer that long) - it would not happen. I dialed up Kodak and asked what was going on. They said it was a software problem that they were working on and was soon to be remedied.
So yesterday, Kodak popped up and said they had a new update. I thought this must be that update for the TIME; so I dnld & updtd. Almost immediately more problems happened.
I'll check their site, and maybe even call them (although we know what that's all about).
It's there cheapest printer ($150, I think), but it really isn't working too well. I tried different resolutions: 300 200 150? - all pictures came out exactly the same.
I hate printers.
Thanks again, Jack
Chip |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2007 7:18 pm
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Chip;
Print Spooler failures are almost always caused by corrupt printer drivers. Not only will you have to uninstall the bad drivers, via Add/Remove Programs, but, you may also have to manually remove left over files in the Print Spooler sub-directory. Look for this directory, and it's sub-directories, to see if there are any files in them identified as belonging to Kodak:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\{1,2,3,etc}
If so, they may have to be deleted manually, unless the automatic uninstaller removes them for you. This requires Administrator level privileges.
After uninstalling Kodak's old drivers, reboot. Download the newest drivers and install them, then reboot, then try printing again. If you still get Spooler failures uninstall the drivers and all Kodak printer software and contact Kodak to request personal assistance with custom drivers for your computer.
It should be noted that a failure of the Print Spooler Subsystem causes all printers to disappear from the Printers and Faxes folder, and all printing jobs will fail. After removing any offending driver files from the Spool subdirectories, try to restart the Spooler service. This service is dependent on the RPC service.
The Print Spooler is a Windows Service that is managed by going to Start > Run > and typing Services.msc and hitting Enter. When the Service console opens, look on the right side for Print Spooler and double click to open its properties. The startup type is supposed to be set to Automatic and Started; if it is Stopped try to Start it, with the Start button. Next, click on the Recovery tab and set the recovery options as follows:
First Failure: Restart the service
Second Failure: Restart the service
Subsequent Failures: Take no action
and below that;
Restart the service after: 1 minute
Click Apply and OK.
If you install new drivers and they do not conflict with the OS, or any left over bad drivers, your printer should (re)appear in the Printers folder and printing functions should resume.
Changes to, uninstallation of, or reinstallation of hardware and printer drivers must be done from within an administrator level account, to ensure complete access to system directories and local machine branches of the Registry.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Dec 2007 1:16 pm
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Hiya Wiz,
That's quite a bit of info for me to handle all at once; but in 'w32x86' there's an 'eastman kodak compancac4' folder and a folder named just '3'. Both folders contain many EK files - the 'eastman' folder has 18 files [10.1MB] and the '3' folder has 20 files [10.2].
Kodak's website doesn't show any driver downloads, but I guess what I updated the other day was their "shareware" program. It's not the printer program, but another BS add-on. I guess I wasn't paying attention, or they misworded the download.
But just an hour ago I talked with Kodak support. Told them the 'spooler' problem. Got off to an unnerving start as the foreign-sounding tech asked me to spell "spooler". He had to look it up somewhere and came back and said if it's a spooler problem, then it more than likely is corrupted by a virus or worm. Told me to run an anti-virus test.
So I did. I ran AVG only on the Kodak program and it came up clean.
Should I remove Kodak from add/remove FIRST, then re-check w32x86? Or delete w32x86 FIRST, then use add/remove?
Also, there was a 3rd folder in w32x86 - an old 'epsonstylus', which is long gone. Is it safe to delete that folder? (it's about 8.61MB)
Thanks Wiz.
Chipper |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Dec 2007 1:22 pm
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| Just checked in Control Panel/Printers and Faxes and the Kodak 5100 AiO is the only item listed, and under the name it says 'ready'. FWIW |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2007 1:45 pm
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| CHIP FOSSA wrote: |
Hiya Wiz,
That's quite a bit of info for me to handle all at once; but in 'w32x86' there's an 'eastman kodak compancac4' folder and a folder named just '3'. Both folders contain many EK files - the 'eastman' folder has 18 files [10.1MB] and the '3' folder has 20 files [10.2].
<snip>
Should I remove Kodak from add/remove FIRST, then re-check w32x86? Or delete w32x86 FIRST, then use add/remove?
Also, there was a 3rd folder in w32x86 - an old 'epsonstylus', which is long gone. Is it safe to delete that folder? (it's about 8.61MB)
Thanks Wiz.
Chipper |
Chip;
First try using the proper method to uninstall any Kodak drivers and shareware programs, as well as any applications that shipped with the printer. After rebooting go back to the "spooler" folder and if any of those Eastman or Kodak files are still there, issue the coup-de-gras to them. If there is no uninstaller to be found for the long-gone Epson print drivers, remove them manually also.
Always try the nice way to uninstall before resorting to Murder-Death-Kill tactics.
You should be able to find and download the newest printer drivers and applications, for your particular printer, from Kodak's Support section. Do not install them unless you have removed every vestige of the old drivers and applications and rebooted.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Dec 2007 2:07 pm
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Wiz,
Thanks again for the very quick response; I do have the time tonight to go after this and I will follow your instructos to the tee.
I'll give you the play by play as soon as I finish.
Chip  |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Dec 2007 3:31 pm
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Well,
I went back out again to Kodak's site and narrowed down my search to my specific AiO printer and couldn't find any new update drivers; just 2 items that I believe are already on my Kodak software CD. As I said, one dnld is that other related software called EASYSHARE, which I have no interest in.
But here's the link to the exact page:
www.kodak.com/global/en/service/download/dln_ekn033539.jhtml?pq-path=9098/9099
The printer is reinstalled and seemed to be running OK so far, until one printing episode, it spit out a blank page followed by the printed page. So...I don't know.
Thanks again Wiz and Jack. I always appreciate your efforts.
BTW Wiz, that 'epsonstylus' folder in w32x86 has many "dll" files. Will I be jeopardizing some other program sharing those files if I delete the Epson folder? Not sure what to do here?
Sure is a waste of space to have it sitting there when the program and the printer are long gone.
Chipper  |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2007 4:08 pm
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| CHIP FOSSA wrote: |
Well,
Thanks again Wiz and Jack. I always appreciate your efforts.
BTW Wiz, that 'epsonstylus' folder in w32x86 has many "dll" files. Will I be jeopardizing some other program sharing those files if I delete the Epson folder? Not sure what to do here?
Sure is a waste of space to have it sitting there when the program and the printer are long gone.
Chipper :\ |
Chip;
First of all, you're welcome! Second; if the folder with the Epson files is labeled Epson___ sure, delete it, but if it is named 2 or 3, leave it alone. Sometimes multiple print drivers get placed into the same sub-directories, of the Print Spooler. If you can identify Epson files, great. Otherwise leave the files alone.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2007 4:14 pm
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As a follow-up to my answer to the Chip Meister; normally, when you delete a printer from the Printers (and Faxes) folder, in Windows 2000 and newer, a pop-up box will ask if you also want to delete all of the associated driver files. That is the best time to clean-up unwanted print drivers. Once the printer has been deleted and it's files are orphaned, identifying and deleting them manually is a bit of a crap shoot.
AS a consolation, if you delete the wrong files your printer may stop printing, or malfunction. If that happens you just need to reinstall the drivers. Some print drivers ship on the various Windows CD and DVD disks. They can be restored from the original operating system disks by using special commands to locate and expand their CAB files, extracting the desired drivers and sending them to their designated locations. Of course, that's another story, another time, another place (Aw, pick it, Billy Bird).
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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