System cannot find Print Spooler Service

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

"Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
newsF4E86BB-602A-4F25-B0F1-70BAC8A22BF7@microsoft.com...
> I'm not sure how it happened, but my printing abilities stopped suddenly.
I
> tried uninstalling and reinstalling my HP psc750 software and drivers but
the
> installation keeps failing to complete. Further research shows me that
the
> Print Spooler is stopped in the Computer Management/Service console. When
I
> attempt to start the print spooler service, the following error message
pops
> up:
>
> "Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer. Error 2:
The
> system cannot find the file specified."
>
> While I'd like to know just where my Print Spooler file has gone, I REALLY
> would like to know how to find/repair/reinstall the missing file(s) so I
am
> able to print again.
>
> Data: Using XP Home w/SP1 and SP2 installed.
>
> Any/all help will most Joyfully be accepted (and would get my wife off my
> back as she REALLY needs to print some important documents!!)
>
> Tim
>
>

- Click Start / Run
- Type services.msc {OK}
- On the right-hand side, navigate to "Print Spooler"
- Double-click it to open it
- Where does the executable reside? Is it
c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe?
- Use Explorer to see if this file exists

By the way, do you have an up-to-date virus scanner? A firewall
to protect you against hackers?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Run regedit.exe, then navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler

Now have a look at "ImagePath". It must be a Reg_Expand_SZ
type. If it is not then you must delete it and recreate it as that type.


"Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5D89DDFC-7383-452A-B6F8-5E9B006BC214@microsoft.com...
> Services shows file located at : %SystemRoot%\system32\spoolsv.exe
>
> Now, I'm not sure how to find the %SystemRoot% folder, but I DO find the
> spoolsv.exe file at: C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
>
> My Norton AntiVirus reports that the file is clean. I keep Norton
Personal
> Firewall and Norton AntiVirus active and updated at all times.
>
> So now what do I do? Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> Tim
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > newsF4E86BB-602A-4F25-B0F1-70BAC8A22BF7@microsoft.com...
> > > I'm not sure how it happened, but my printing abilities stopped
suddenly.
> > I
> > > tried uninstalling and reinstalling my HP psc750 software and drivers
but
> > the
> > > installation keeps failing to complete. Further research shows me
that
> > the
> > > Print Spooler is stopped in the Computer Management/Service console.
When
> > I
> > > attempt to start the print spooler service, the following error
message
> > pops
> > > up:
> > >
> > > "Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer. Error
2:
> > The
> > > system cannot find the file specified."
> > >
> > > While I'd like to know just where my Print Spooler file has gone, I
REALLY
> > > would like to know how to find/repair/reinstall the missing file(s) so
I
> > am
> > > able to print again.
> > >
> > > Data: Using XP Home w/SP1 and SP2 installed.
> > >
> > > Any/all help will most Joyfully be accepted (and would get my wife off
my
> > > back as she REALLY needs to print some important documents!!)
> > >
> > > Tim
> > >
> > >
> >
> > - Click Start / Run
> > - Type services.msc {OK}
> > - On the right-hand side, navigate to "Print Spooler"
> > - Double-click it to open it
> > - Where does the executable reside? Is it
> > c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe?
> > - Use Explorer to see if this file exists
> >
> > By the way, do you have an up-to-date virus scanner? A firewall
> > to protect you against hackers?
> >
> >
> >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

If you poke around a little then you'll find that Edit/New lets you
create new values.


"Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:842ADD6A-05BF-4378-A370-3BA2AC721407@microsoft.com...
> Well! Perhaps I'm getting somewhere... My ImagePath is "type" oxffffffea.
> Can you tell me how to recreate it as a Reg_Expand_SZ type?
>
> Thanks!
> Tim
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> > Run regedit.exe, then navigate to
> > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler
> >
> > Now have a look at "ImagePath". It must be a Reg_Expand_SZ
> > type. If it is not then you must delete it and recreate it as that type.
> >
> >
> > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:5D89DDFC-7383-452A-B6F8-5E9B006BC214@microsoft.com...
> > > Services shows file located at : %SystemRoot%\system32\spoolsv.exe
> > >
> > > Now, I'm not sure how to find the %SystemRoot% folder, but I DO find
the
> > > spoolsv.exe file at: C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
> > >
> > > My Norton AntiVirus reports that the file is clean. I keep Norton
> > Personal
> > > Firewall and Norton AntiVirus active and updated at all times.
> > >
> > > So now what do I do? Thanks in advance for your help!
> > >
> > > Tim
> > >
> > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > newsF4E86BB-602A-4F25-B0F1-70BAC8A22BF7@microsoft.com...
> > > > > I'm not sure how it happened, but my printing abilities stopped
> > suddenly.
> > > > I
> > > > > tried uninstalling and reinstalling my HP psc750 software and
drivers
> > but
> > > > the
> > > > > installation keeps failing to complete. Further research shows me
> > that
> > > > the
> > > > > Print Spooler is stopped in the Computer Management/Service
console.
> > When
> > > > I
> > > > > attempt to start the print spooler service, the following error
> > message
> > > > pops
> > > > > up:
> > > > >
> > > > > "Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer.
Error
> > 2:
> > > > The
> > > > > system cannot find the file specified."
> > > > >
> > > > > While I'd like to know just where my Print Spooler file has gone,
I
> > REALLY
> > > > > would like to know how to find/repair/reinstall the missing
file(s) so
> > I
> > > > am
> > > > > able to print again.
> > > > >
> > > > > Data: Using XP Home w/SP1 and SP2 installed.
> > > > >
> > > > > Any/all help will most Joyfully be accepted (and would get my wife
off
> > my
> > > > > back as she REALLY needs to print some important documents!!)
> > > > >
> > > > > Tim
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > - Click Start / Run
> > > > - Type services.msc {OK}
> > > > - On the right-hand side, navigate to "Print Spooler"
> > > > - Double-click it to open it
> > > > - Where does the executable reside? Is it
> > > > c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe?
> > > > - Use Explorer to see if this file exists
> > > >
> > > > By the way, do you have an up-to-date virus scanner? A firewall
> > > > to protect you against hackers?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Time to get down to tin tacks. Do this exactly as below:
1. Run regedit.exe.
2. Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler
3. Make doubly sure that ImagePath is of the Reg_Expand_SZ type.
4. Replace its date with c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe
5. Run services.exe.
6. Double-click the Spooler service.
7. Verify that the executable is now c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe
8. Start the service.

I recommend against a reload or repair job at this stage. It might
do more damage than good.


"Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B938DE7C-E770-4871-844B-48CFC9BB0F38@microsoft.com...
> Hi -
>
> I created a new value with Reg_Expand_SZ as the type and rebooted.
>
> Nothing has changed - still being told that the print spooler cannot be
> started because the file cannot be found on the local machine. Windows
> Explorer, however, shows the spooler application at
> C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe and Norton AntiVirus shows the file is
clean.
>
> This is quite frustrating! Must I do a Windows XP repair or reinstall to
> get my spooler recognized and able to be turned on? Are there other
options
> or things to try first?
>
> Help!
>
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> > If you poke around a little then you'll find that Edit/New lets you
> > create new values.
> >
> >
> > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:842ADD6A-05BF-4378-A370-3BA2AC721407@microsoft.com...
> > > Well! Perhaps I'm getting somewhere... My ImagePath is "type"
oxffffffea.
> > > Can you tell me how to recreate it as a Reg_Expand_SZ type?
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > > Tim
> > >
> > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Run regedit.exe, then navigate to
> > > > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler
> > > >
> > > > Now have a look at "ImagePath". It must be a Reg_Expand_SZ
> > > > type. If it is not then you must delete it and recreate it as that
type.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:5D89DDFC-7383-452A-B6F8-5E9B006BC214@microsoft.com...
> > > > > Services shows file located at : %SystemRoot%\system32\spoolsv.exe
> > > > >
> > > > > Now, I'm not sure how to find the %SystemRoot% folder, but I DO
find
> > the
> > > > > spoolsv.exe file at: C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
> > > > >
> > > > > My Norton AntiVirus reports that the file is clean. I keep Norton
> > > > Personal
> > > > > Firewall and Norton AntiVirus active and updated at all times.
> > > > >
> > > > > So now what do I do? Thanks in advance for your help!
> > > > >
> > > > > Tim
> > > > >
> > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message
> > > > > > newsF4E86BB-602A-4F25-B0F1-70BAC8A22BF7@microsoft.com...
> > > > > > > I'm not sure how it happened, but my printing abilities
stopped
> > > > suddenly.
> > > > > > I
> > > > > > > tried uninstalling and reinstalling my HP psc750 software and
> > drivers
> > > > but
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > installation keeps failing to complete. Further research
shows me
> > > > that
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > Print Spooler is stopped in the Computer Management/Service
> > console.
> > > > When
> > > > > > I
> > > > > > > attempt to start the print spooler service, the following
error
> > > > message
> > > > > > pops
> > > > > > > up:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer.
> > Error
> > > > 2:
> > > > > > The
> > > > > > > system cannot find the file specified."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > While I'd like to know just where my Print Spooler file has
gone,
> > I
> > > > REALLY
> > > > > > > would like to know how to find/repair/reinstall the missing
> > file(s) so
> > > > I
> > > > > > am
> > > > > > > able to print again.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Data: Using XP Home w/SP1 and SP2 installed.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Any/all help will most Joyfully be accepted (and would get my
wife
> > off
> > > > my
> > > > > > > back as she REALLY needs to print some important documents!!)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Tim
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > - Click Start / Run
> > > > > > - Type services.msc {OK}
> > > > > > - On the right-hand side, navigate to "Print Spooler"
> > > > > > - Double-click it to open it
> > > > > > - Where does the executable reside? Is it
> > > > > > c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe?
> > > > > > - Use Explorer to see if this file exists
> > > > > >
> > > > > > By the way, do you have an up-to-date virus scanner? A firewall
> > > > > > to protect you against hackers?
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

It WORKS AGAIN!

Thanks so much for your patient and detailed walk-through. Deleting and
recreating the properly-valued subkey and pointing to the correct location,
and restarting the service (making sure I had completely dumped all system
references to the HP printer I was trying to reinstall, worked beautifully.

Thank you, Pegasus (and Peter who echoed the same 'fix')!!

Tim


"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

> Time to get down to tin tacks. Do this exactly as below:
> 1. Run regedit.exe.
> 2. Navigate to
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler
> 3. Make doubly sure that ImagePath is of the Reg_Expand_SZ type.
> 4. Replace its date with c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe
> 5. Run services.exe.
> 6. Double-click the Spooler service.
> 7. Verify that the executable is now c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe
> 8. Start the service.
>
> I recommend against a reload or repair job at this stage. It might
> do more damage than good.
>
>
> "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B938DE7C-E770-4871-844B-48CFC9BB0F38@microsoft.com...
> > Hi -
> >
> > I created a new value with Reg_Expand_SZ as the type and rebooted.
> >
> > Nothing has changed - still being told that the print spooler cannot be
> > started because the file cannot be found on the local machine. Windows
> > Explorer, however, shows the spooler application at
> > C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe and Norton AntiVirus shows the file is
> clean.
> >
> > This is quite frustrating! Must I do a Windows XP repair or reinstall to
> > get my spooler recognized and able to be turned on? Are there other
> options
> > or things to try first?
> >
> > Help!
> >
> >
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> > > If you poke around a little then you'll find that Edit/New lets you
> > > create new values.
> > >
> > >
> > > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:842ADD6A-05BF-4378-A370-3BA2AC721407@microsoft.com...
> > > > Well! Perhaps I'm getting somewhere... My ImagePath is "type"
> oxffffffea.
> > > > Can you tell me how to recreate it as a Reg_Expand_SZ type?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks!
> > > > Tim
> > > >
> > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Run regedit.exe, then navigate to
> > > > > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler
> > > > >
> > > > > Now have a look at "ImagePath". It must be a Reg_Expand_SZ
> > > > > type. If it is not then you must delete it and recreate it as that
> type.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > > news:5D89DDFC-7383-452A-B6F8-5E9B006BC214@microsoft.com...
> > > > > > Services shows file located at : %SystemRoot%\system32\spoolsv.exe
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Now, I'm not sure how to find the %SystemRoot% folder, but I DO
> find
> > > the
> > > > > > spoolsv.exe file at: C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
> > > > > >
> > > > > > My Norton AntiVirus reports that the file is clean. I keep Norton
> > > > > Personal
> > > > > > Firewall and Norton AntiVirus active and updated at all times.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > So now what do I do? Thanks in advance for your help!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Tim
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Choirpower" <Choirpower@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message
> > > > > > > newsF4E86BB-602A-4F25-B0F1-70BAC8A22BF7@microsoft.com...
> > > > > > > > I'm not sure how it happened, but my printing abilities
> stopped
> > > > > suddenly.
> > > > > > > I
> > > > > > > > tried uninstalling and reinstalling my HP psc750 software and
> > > drivers
> > > > > but
> > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > installation keeps failing to complete. Further research
> shows me
> > > > > that
> > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > Print Spooler is stopped in the Computer Management/Service
> > > console.
> > > > > When
> > > > > > > I
> > > > > > > > attempt to start the print spooler service, the following
> error
> > > > > message
> > > > > > > pops
> > > > > > > > up:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer.
> > > Error
> > > > > 2:
> > > > > > > The
> > > > > > > > system cannot find the file specified."
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > While I'd like to know just where my Print Spooler file has
> gone,
> > > I
> > > > > REALLY
> > > > > > > > would like to know how to find/repair/reinstall the missing
> > > file(s) so
> > > > > I
> > > > > > > am
> > > > > > > > able to print again.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Data: Using XP Home w/SP1 and SP2 installed.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Any/all help will most Joyfully be accepted (and would get my
> wife
> > > off
> > > > > my
> > > > > > > > back as she REALLY needs to print some important documents!!)
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Tim
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > - Click Start / Run
> > > > > > > - Type services.msc {OK}
> > > > > > > - On the right-hand side, navigate to "Print Spooler"
> > > > > > > - Double-click it to open it
> > > > > > > - Where does the executable reside? Is it
> > > > > > > c:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe?
> > > > > > > - Use Explorer to see if this file exists
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > By the way, do you have an up-to-date virus scanner? A firewall
> > > > > > > to protect you against hackers?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
>