Add Printer icon missing

Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add Printer icon
missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they will click on
the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is not allowed
on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given computer or with
any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?

This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started. Bad
print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service terminates.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
> Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add Printer icon
> missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they will click
> on
> the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is not
> allowed
> on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given computer or
> with
> any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?

Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what computer (we
use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we use roaming
user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are not. User A
can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto computer 2 and be
fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can switch around
and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a problem on
Computer 2.

How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean the spooler
on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't losing
print jobs.

We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if some Windows
update caused a problem.

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started. Bad
> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service terminates.
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add Printer icon
> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they will click
> > on
> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is not
> > allowed
> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given computer or
> > with
> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
>
>
>

The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers corrupt the
memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free location, this
can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.

Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using version 19 of
hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
> Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what computer (we
> use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we use
> roaming
> user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are not. User
> A
> can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto computer 2 and
> be
> fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can switch
> around
> and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a problem on
> Computer 2.
>
> How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean the
> spooler
> on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't losing
> print jobs.
>
> We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if some
> Windows
> update caused a problem.
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started. Bad
>> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service terminates.
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
>> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add Printer
>> > icon
>> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they will
>> > click
>> > on
>> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is not
>> > allowed
>> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given computer or
>> > with
>> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
>>
>>
>>

Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt spooler problem
cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result in the
message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this computer? 2.
all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on the few
computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the fact that it
is missing be the problem?

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers corrupt the
> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free location, this
> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
>
> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using version 19 of
> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what computer (we
> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we use
> > roaming
> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are not. User
> > A
> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto computer 2 and
> > be
> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can switch
> > around
> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a problem on
> > Computer 2.
> >
> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean the
> > spooler
> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't losing
> > print jobs.
> >
> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if some
> > Windows
> > update caused a problem.
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started. Bad
> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service terminates.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add Printer
> >> > icon
> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they will
> >> > click
> >> > on
> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is not
> >> > allowed
> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given computer or
> >> > with
> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer UI will
not work.

hpbmini.dll on the print server
\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt spooler
> problem
> cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result in the
> message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this computer?
> 2.
> all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on the few
> computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the fact that
> it
> is missing be the problem?
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers corrupt
>> the
>> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
>> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free location,
>> this
>> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
>>
>> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using version 19
>> of
>> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
>> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what computer
>> > (we
>> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we use
>> > roaming
>> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are not.
>> > User
>> > A
>> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto computer 2
>> > and
>> > be
>> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can switch
>> > around
>> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a problem
>> > on
>> > Computer 2.
>> >
>> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean the
>> > spooler
>> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't
>> > losing
>> > print jobs.
>> >
>> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if some
>> > Windows
>> > update caused a problem.
>> >
>> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started.
>> >> Bad
>> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
>> >> terminates.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Alan Morris
>> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >>
>> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> rights.
>> >>
>> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add
>> >> > Printer
>> >> > icon
>> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they will
>> >> > click
>> >> > on
>> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is
>> >> > not
>> >> > allowed
>> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given computer
>> >> > or
>> >> > with
>> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I update it?

What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent hours pouring
over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to disappear.

I really appreciate your help.

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer UI will
> not work.
>
> hpbmini.dll on the print server
> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt spooler
> > problem
> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result in the
> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this computer?
> > 2.
> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on the few
> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the fact that
> > it
> > is missing be the problem?
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers corrupt
> >> the
> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free location,
> >> this
> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
> >>
> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using version 19
> >> of
> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what computer
> >> > (we
> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we use
> >> > roaming
> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are not.
> >> > User
> >> > A
> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto computer 2
> >> > and
> >> > be
> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can switch
> >> > around
> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a problem
> >> > on
> >> > Computer 2.
> >> >
> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean the
> >> > spooler
> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't
> >> > losing
> >> > print jobs.
> >> >
> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if some
> >> > Windows
> >> > update caused a problem.
> >> >
> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started.
> >> >> Bad
> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
> >> >> terminates.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >>
> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add
> >> >> > Printer
> >> >> > icon
> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they will
> >> >> > click
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is
> >> >> > not
> >> >> > allowed
> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given computer
> >> >> > or
> >> >> > with
> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version (you have to
have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the latest HP LJ
4345 driver.

this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think printers
should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the spooler
service is not running or you are running a really old version of Lantastic.

gpedit.msc
Configuration
Admin templates
Control Panel
Printers
Prevent addition of printers

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
> Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I update it?
>
> What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent hours
> pouring
> over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to disappear.
>
> I really appreciate your help.
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer UI
>> will
>> not work.
>>
>> hpbmini.dll on the print server
>> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt spooler
>> > problem
>> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result in
>> > the
>> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this
>> > computer?
>> > 2.
>> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on the
>> > few
>> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the fact
>> > that
>> > it
>> > is missing be the problem?
>> >
>> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers corrupt
>> >> the
>> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
>> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
>> >> location,
>> >> this
>> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
>> >>
>> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using version
>> >> 19
>> >> of
>> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Alan Morris
>> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >>
>> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> rights.
>> >>
>> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what
>> >> > computer
>> >> > (we
>> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we use
>> >> > roaming
>> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are not.
>> >> > User
>> >> > A
>> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto computer
>> >> > 2
>> >> > and
>> >> > be
>> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can switch
>> >> > around
>> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a
>> >> > problem
>> >> > on
>> >> > Computer 2.
>> >> >
>> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean the
>> >> > spooler
>> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't
>> >> > losing
>> >> > print jobs.
>> >> >
>> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if some
>> >> > Windows
>> >> > update caused a problem.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started.
>> >> >> Bad
>> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
>> >> >> terminates.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >>
>> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> >> rights.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add
>> >> >> > Printer
>> >> >> > icon
>> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they
>> >> >> > will
>> >> >> > click
>> >> >> > on
>> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is
>> >> >> > not
>> >> >> > allowed
>> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given
>> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> > or
>> >> >> > with
>> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

OK. Back to my original question about the Add Printer icon disappearing
randomly and printers already installed disappearing randomly. Happens on
different computers with different logins (roaming user profiles) at
different times. For esample, User 1 could log onto one computer and be able
to add a printer when User 2 on that same computer couldn't add a printer.
Then User 1 wouldn't be able to add a printer on another computer. Never
consistent. There's no problem printing--if the printer is there, it can
print fine.

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version (you have to
> have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the latest HP LJ
> 4345 driver.
>
> this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think printers
> should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the spooler
> service is not running or you are running a really old version of Lantastic.
>
> gpedit.msc
> Configuration
> Admin templates
> Control Panel
> Printers
> Prevent addition of printers
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
> > Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I update it?
> >
> > What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent hours
> > pouring
> > over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to disappear.
> >
> > I really appreciate your help.
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer UI
> >> will
> >> not work.
> >>
> >> hpbmini.dll on the print server
> >> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
> >> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt spooler
> >> > problem
> >> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result in
> >> > the
> >> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this
> >> > computer?
> >> > 2.
> >> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on the
> >> > few
> >> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the fact
> >> > that
> >> > it
> >> > is missing be the problem?
> >> >
> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers corrupt
> >> >> the
> >> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
> >> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
> >> >> location,
> >> >> this
> >> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
> >> >>
> >> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using version
> >> >> 19
> >> >> of
> >> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >>
> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what
> >> >> > computer
> >> >> > (we
> >> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we use
> >> >> > roaming
> >> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are not.
> >> >> > User
> >> >> > A
> >> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto computer
> >> >> > 2
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > be
> >> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can switch
> >> >> > around
> >> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a
> >> >> > problem
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > Computer 2.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean the
> >> >> > spooler
> >> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't
> >> >> > losing
> >> >> > print jobs.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if some
> >> >> > Windows
> >> >> > update caused a problem.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not started.
> >> >> >> Bad
> >> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
> >> >> >> terminates.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add
> >> >> >> > Printer
> >> >> >> > icon
> >> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they
> >> >> >> > will
> >> >> >> > click
> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action is
> >> >> >> > not
> >> >> >> > allowed
> >> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given
> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> > with
> >> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

The spooler service is failing. Send the dump files to MS and restart the
spooler. Most likely there is a print driver corrupting the spooler process
memory which will cause random failures.

Do you use logon scripts to add printers to user accounts?

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
news:B83A71C8-E25C-485B-A5F5-39D69973CCFA@microsoft.com...
> OK. Back to my original question about the Add Printer icon disappearing
> randomly and printers already installed disappearing randomly. Happens on
> different computers with different logins (roaming user profiles) at
> different times. For esample, User 1 could log onto one computer and be
> able
> to add a printer when User 2 on that same computer couldn't add a printer.
> Then User 1 wouldn't be able to add a printer on another computer. Never
> consistent. There's no problem printing--if the printer is there, it can
> print fine.
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version (you have
>> to
>> have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the latest HP
>> LJ
>> 4345 driver.
>>
>> this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think printers
>> should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the spooler
>> service is not running or you are running a really old version of
>> Lantastic.
>>
>> gpedit.msc
>> Configuration
>> Admin templates
>> Control Panel
>> Printers
>> Prevent addition of printers
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
>> > Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I update it?
>> >
>> > What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent hours
>> > pouring
>> > over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to
>> > disappear.
>> >
>> > I really appreciate your help.
>> >
>> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer UI
>> >> will
>> >> not work.
>> >>
>> >> hpbmini.dll on the print server
>> >> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Alan Morris
>> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >>
>> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> rights.
>> >>
>> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt
>> >> > spooler
>> >> > problem
>> >> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result in
>> >> > the
>> >> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this
>> >> > computer?
>> >> > 2.
>> >> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on
>> >> > the
>> >> > few
>> >> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the fact
>> >> > that
>> >> > it
>> >> > is missing be the problem?
>> >> >
>> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers
>> >> >> corrupt
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
>> >> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
>> >> >> location,
>> >> >> this
>> >> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using
>> >> >> version
>> >> >> 19
>> >> >> of
>> >> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >>
>> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> >> rights.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what
>> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> > (we
>> >> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we
>> >> >> > use
>> >> >> > roaming
>> >> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are
>> >> >> > not.
>> >> >> > User
>> >> >> > A
>> >> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto
>> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> > 2
>> >> >> > and
>> >> >> > be
>> >> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can
>> >> >> > switch
>> >> >> > around
>> >> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a
>> >> >> > problem
>> >> >> > on
>> >> >> > Computer 2.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > spooler
>> >> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't
>> >> >> > losing
>> >> >> > print jobs.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if
>> >> >> > some
>> >> >> > Windows
>> >> >> > update caused a problem.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not
>> >> >> >> started.
>> >> >> >> Bad
>> >> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
>> >> >> >> terminates.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
>> >> >> >> no
>> >> >> >> rights.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add
>> >> >> >> > Printer
>> >> >> >> > icon
>> >> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they
>> >> >> >> > will
>> >> >> >> > click
>> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action
>> >> >> >> > is
>> >> >> >> > not
>> >> >> >> > allowed
>> >> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given
>> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> > or
>> >> >> >> > with
>> >> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Maybe I don't understand what the print spooler does. I didn't think it had
anything to do with the Add Printer icon disappearing. When it does
disappear, you can go to File|Add Printer. Instead of the Add Printer Wizard
coming up, the message "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions
in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator." This
sounds more like a GPO that sometimes gets applied, sometime doesn't. I just
don't know what GP it could be.

If it is the spooler on each computer, why would 350 spoolers go bad all of
a sudden?

To answer your question, when this problem first appeared, I set a GPO to
install published printers when a user logs in. It doesn't seem to work,
however.

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> The spooler service is failing. Send the dump files to MS and restart the
> spooler. Most likely there is a print driver corrupting the spooler process
> memory which will cause random failures.
>
> Do you use logon scripts to add printers to user accounts?
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> news:B83A71C8-E25C-485B-A5F5-39D69973CCFA@microsoft.com...
> > OK. Back to my original question about the Add Printer icon disappearing
> > randomly and printers already installed disappearing randomly. Happens on
> > different computers with different logins (roaming user profiles) at
> > different times. For esample, User 1 could log onto one computer and be
> > able
> > to add a printer when User 2 on that same computer couldn't add a printer.
> > Then User 1 wouldn't be able to add a printer on another computer. Never
> > consistent. There's no problem printing--if the printer is there, it can
> > print fine.
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version (you have
> >> to
> >> have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the latest HP
> >> LJ
> >> 4345 driver.
> >>
> >> this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think printers
> >> should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the spooler
> >> service is not running or you are running a really old version of
> >> Lantastic.
> >>
> >> gpedit.msc
> >> Configuration
> >> Admin templates
> >> Control Panel
> >> Printers
> >> Prevent addition of printers
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
> >> > Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I update it?
> >> >
> >> > What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent hours
> >> > pouring
> >> > over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to
> >> > disappear.
> >> >
> >> > I really appreciate your help.
> >> >
> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer UI
> >> >> will
> >> >> not work.
> >> >>
> >> >> hpbmini.dll on the print server
> >> >> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >>
> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt
> >> >> > spooler
> >> >> > problem
> >> >> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result in
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this
> >> >> > computer?
> >> >> > 2.
> >> >> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > few
> >> >> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the fact
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > is missing be the problem?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers
> >> >> >> corrupt
> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then later
> >> >> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
> >> >> >> location,
> >> >> >> this
> >> >> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using
> >> >> >> version
> >> >> >> 19
> >> >> >> of
> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what
> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> > (we
> >> >> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user (we
> >> >> >> > use
> >> >> >> > roaming
> >> >> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they are
> >> >> >> > not.
> >> >> >> > User
> >> >> >> > A
> >> >> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto
> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> > 2
> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> > be
> >> >> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can
> >> >> >> > switch
> >> >> >> > around
> >> >> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a
> >> >> >> > problem
> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> > Computer 2.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you mean
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > spooler
> >> >> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people aren't
> >> >> >> > losing
> >> >> >> > print jobs.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if
> >> >> >> > some
> >> >> >> > Windows
> >> >> >> > update caused a problem.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not
> >> >> >> >> started.
> >> >> >> >> Bad
> >> >> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
> >> >> >> >> terminates.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> >> >> >> >> no
> >> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the Add
> >> >> >> >> > Printer
> >> >> >> >> > icon
> >> >> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or they
> >> >> >> >> > will
> >> >> >> >> > click
> >> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the action
> >> >> >> >> > is
> >> >> >> >> > not
> >> >> >> >> > allowed
> >> >> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given
> >> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> >> > with
> >> >> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

The icon is part of the User Interface. The print spooler does not need the
icon to add and delete printers but when the spooler crashes it sometimes is
unavailable in the printers folder. The Windows Folder Option: Show common
tasks in folders, setting removes the Add Printer icon from the printers
folder.

the error you are receiving is from this policy setting

>> >> gpedit.msc
>> >> User Configuration
>> >> Admin templates
>> >> Control Panel
>> >> Printers
>> >> Prevent addition of printers

Run RSOP.msc to create view that will show which GPO is setting this policy
\


Do you have special GPO software? The spooler service does not supply a
policy setting to install published printers.


--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
news:8D31FDAD-85A6-4B14-806B-0B1A277EADAE@microsoft.com...
> Maybe I don't understand what the print spooler does. I didn't think it
> had
> anything to do with the Add Printer icon disappearing. When it does
> disappear, you can go to File|Add Printer. Instead of the Add Printer
> Wizard
> coming up, the message "This operation has been cancelled due to
> restrictions
> in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator."
> This
> sounds more like a GPO that sometimes gets applied, sometime doesn't. I
> just
> don't know what GP it could be.
>
> If it is the spooler on each computer, why would 350 spoolers go bad all
> of
> a sudden?
>
> To answer your question, when this problem first appeared, I set a GPO to
> install published printers when a user logs in. It doesn't seem to work,
> however.
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> The spooler service is failing. Send the dump files to MS and restart
>> the
>> spooler. Most likely there is a print driver corrupting the spooler
>> process
>> memory which will cause random failures.
>>
>> Do you use logon scripts to add printers to user accounts?
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> news:B83A71C8-E25C-485B-A5F5-39D69973CCFA@microsoft.com...
>> > OK. Back to my original question about the Add Printer icon
>> > disappearing
>> > randomly and printers already installed disappearing randomly. Happens
>> > on
>> > different computers with different logins (roaming user profiles) at
>> > different times. For esample, User 1 could log onto one computer and be
>> > able
>> > to add a printer when User 2 on that same computer couldn't add a
>> > printer.
>> > Then User 1 wouldn't be able to add a printer on another computer.
>> > Never
>> > consistent. There's no problem printing--if the printer is there, it
>> > can
>> > print fine.
>> >
>> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version (you
>> >> have
>> >> to
>> >> have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the latest
>> >> HP
>> >> LJ
>> >> 4345 driver.
>> >>
>> >> this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think
>> >> printers
>> >> should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the spooler
>> >> service is not running or you are running a really old version of
>> >> Lantastic.
>> >>
>> >> gpedit.msc
>> >> Configuration
>> >> Admin templates
>> >> Control Panel
>> >> Printers
>> >> Prevent addition of printers
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Alan Morris
>> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >>
>> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> rights.
>> >>
>> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I update
>> >> > it?
>> >> >
>> >> > What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent hours
>> >> > pouring
>> >> > over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to
>> >> > disappear.
>> >> >
>> >> > I really appreciate your help.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer
>> >> >> UI
>> >> >> will
>> >> >> not work.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> hpbmini.dll on the print server
>> >> >> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >>
>> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> >> rights.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt
>> >> >> > spooler
>> >> >> > problem
>> >> >> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result
>> >> >> > in
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this
>> >> >> > computer?
>> >> >> > 2.
>> >> >> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > few
>> >> >> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the
>> >> >> > fact
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > it
>> >> >> > is missing be the problem?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers
>> >> >> >> corrupt
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then
>> >> >> >> later
>> >> >> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
>> >> >> >> location,
>> >> >> >> this
>> >> >> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using
>> >> >> >> version
>> >> >> >> 19
>> >> >> >> of
>> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
>> >> >> >> no
>> >> >> >> rights.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what
>> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> > (we
>> >> >> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user
>> >> >> >> > (we
>> >> >> >> > use
>> >> >> >> > roaming
>> >> >> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they
>> >> >> >> > are
>> >> >> >> > not.
>> >> >> >> > User
>> >> >> >> > A
>> >> >> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto
>> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> > 2
>> >> >> >> > and
>> >> >> >> > be
>> >> >> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can
>> >> >> >> > switch
>> >> >> >> > around
>> >> >> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a
>> >> >> >> > problem
>> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> > Computer 2.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you
>> >> >> >> > mean
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > spooler
>> >> >> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people
>> >> >> >> > aren't
>> >> >> >> > losing
>> >> >> >> > print jobs.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if
>> >> >> >> > some
>> >> >> >> > Windows
>> >> >> >> > update caused a problem.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not
>> >> >> >> >> started.
>> >> >> >> >> Bad
>> >> >> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
>> >> >> >> >> terminates.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> >> >> >> >> confers
>> >> >> >> >> no
>> >> >> >> >> rights.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the
>> >> >> >> >> > Add
>> >> >> >> >> > Printer
>> >> >> >> >> > icon
>> >> >> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or
>> >> >> >> >> > they
>> >> >> >> >> > will
>> >> >> >> >> > click
>> >> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the
>> >> >> >> >> > action
>> >> >> >> >> > is
>> >> >> >> >> > not
>> >> >> >> >> > allowed
>> >> >> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given
>> >> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> >> > or
>> >> >> >> >> > with
>> >> >> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

I don't have the "Prevent addition of printers" set on any GPOs. I checked
this on a computer that did not have the Add Printer icon showing and got the
error message when File>>Add Printer was clicked.

I used pushprinterconnections per Microsoft web site to try to make the
printers available, but it didn't seem to do anything.

I also checked the Windows Folder Option and wasn't sure what you meant by
the Show common tasks in folders option. If it is checked, the Add Printer
icon shows up in the left taks pane. If Windows Classic is checked, it comes
up in the list of printers installed. Is that right?

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> The icon is part of the User Interface. The print spooler does not need the
> icon to add and delete printers but when the spooler crashes it sometimes is
> unavailable in the printers folder. The Windows Folder Option: Show common
> tasks in folders, setting removes the Add Printer icon from the printers
> folder.
>
> the error you are receiving is from this policy setting
>
> >> >> gpedit.msc
> >> >> User Configuration
> >> >> Admin templates
> >> >> Control Panel
> >> >> Printers
> >> >> Prevent addition of printers
>
> Run RSOP.msc to create view that will show which GPO is setting this policy
> \
>
>
> Do you have special GPO software? The spooler service does not supply a
> policy setting to install published printers.
>
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> news:8D31FDAD-85A6-4B14-806B-0B1A277EADAE@microsoft.com...
> > Maybe I don't understand what the print spooler does. I didn't think it
> > had
> > anything to do with the Add Printer icon disappearing. When it does
> > disappear, you can go to File|Add Printer. Instead of the Add Printer
> > Wizard
> > coming up, the message "This operation has been cancelled due to
> > restrictions
> > in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator."
> > This
> > sounds more like a GPO that sometimes gets applied, sometime doesn't. I
> > just
> > don't know what GP it could be.
> >
> > If it is the spooler on each computer, why would 350 spoolers go bad all
> > of
> > a sudden?
> >
> > To answer your question, when this problem first appeared, I set a GPO to
> > install published printers when a user logs in. It doesn't seem to work,
> > however.
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> The spooler service is failing. Send the dump files to MS and restart
> >> the
> >> spooler. Most likely there is a print driver corrupting the spooler
> >> process
> >> memory which will cause random failures.
> >>
> >> Do you use logon scripts to add printers to user accounts?
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> news:B83A71C8-E25C-485B-A5F5-39D69973CCFA@microsoft.com...
> >> > OK. Back to my original question about the Add Printer icon
> >> > disappearing
> >> > randomly and printers already installed disappearing randomly. Happens
> >> > on
> >> > different computers with different logins (roaming user profiles) at
> >> > different times. For esample, User 1 could log onto one computer and be
> >> > able
> >> > to add a printer when User 2 on that same computer couldn't add a
> >> > printer.
> >> > Then User 1 wouldn't be able to add a printer on another computer.
> >> > Never
> >> > consistent. There's no problem printing--if the printer is there, it
> >> > can
> >> > print fine.
> >> >
> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version (you
> >> >> have
> >> >> to
> >> >> have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the latest
> >> >> HP
> >> >> LJ
> >> >> 4345 driver.
> >> >>
> >> >> this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think
> >> >> printers
> >> >> should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the spooler
> >> >> service is not running or you are running a really old version of
> >> >> Lantastic.
> >> >>
> >> >> gpedit.msc
> >> >> Configuration
> >> >> Admin templates
> >> >> Control Panel
> >> >> Printers
> >> >> Prevent addition of printers
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >>
> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I update
> >> >> > it?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent hours
> >> >> > pouring
> >> >> > over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to
> >> >> > disappear.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I really appreciate your help.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add Printer
> >> >> >> UI
> >> >> >> will
> >> >> >> not work.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll on the print server
> >> >> >> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt
> >> >> >> > spooler
> >> >> >> > problem
> >> >> >> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there, result
> >> >> >> > in
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on this
> >> >> >> > computer?
> >> >> >> > 2.
> >> >> >> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll on
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > few
> >> >> >> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the
> >> >> >> > fact
> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> > is missing be the problem?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print drivers
> >> >> >> >> corrupt
> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then
> >> >> >> >> later
> >> >> >> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
> >> >> >> >> location,
> >> >> >> >> this
> >> >> >> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using
> >> >> >> >> version
> >> >> >> >> 19
> >> >> >> >> of
> >> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> >> >> >> >> no
> >> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter what
> >> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> >> > (we
> >> >> >> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what user
> >> >> >> >> > (we
> >> >> >> >> > use
> >> >> >> >> > roaming
> >> >> >> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they
> >> >> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> > not.
> >> >> >> >> > User
> >> >> >> >> > A
> >> >> >> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto
> >> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> >> > 2
> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> > be
> >> >> >> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They can
> >> >> >> >> > switch
> >> >> >> >> > around
> >> >> >> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have a
> >> >> >> >> > problem
> >> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> >> > Computer 2.
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you
> >> >> >> >> > mean
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > spooler
> >> >> >> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people
> >> >> >> >> > aren't
> >> >> >> >> > losing
> >> >> >> >> > print jobs.
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering if
> >> >> >> >> > some
> >> >> >> >> > Windows
> >> >> >> >> > update caused a problem.
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not
> >> >> >> >> >> started.
> >> >> >> >> >> Bad
> >> >> >> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler service
> >> >> >> >> >> terminates.
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> >> >> >> >> >> confers
> >> >> >> >> >> no
> >> >> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find the
> >> >> >> >> >> > Add
> >> >> >> >> >> > Printer
> >> >> >> >> >> > icon
> >> >> >> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or
> >> >> >> >> >> > they
> >> >> >> >> >> > will
> >> >> >> >> >> > click
> >> >> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the
> >> >> >> >> >> > action
> >> >> >> >> >> > is
> >> >> >> >> >> > not
> >> >> >> >> >> > allowed
> >> >> >> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any given
> >> >> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> >> >> > with
> >> >> >> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing this?
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Set this policy on a machine which is working, run gpupdate /force on a
command window, and verify the message is the same.

Was the R2 domain schema added to your domain? Pushprinterconnections.exe
will only work after the domain schema has been updated and printers have
been added to a GPO object.

Folder Options: yes this is what I was referring to.

Are you the domain admin?

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
news:754DB844-7B56-4D11-9F7B-E5DF48BBA3BA@microsoft.com...
>I don't have the "Prevent addition of printers" set on any GPOs. I checked
> this on a computer that did not have the Add Printer icon showing and got
> the
> error message when File>>Add Printer was clicked.
>
> I used pushprinterconnections per Microsoft web site to try to make the
> printers available, but it didn't seem to do anything.
>
> I also checked the Windows Folder Option and wasn't sure what you meant by
> the Show common tasks in folders option. If it is checked, the Add Printer
> icon shows up in the left taks pane. If Windows Classic is checked, it
> comes
> up in the list of printers installed. Is that right?
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> The icon is part of the User Interface. The print spooler does not need
>> the
>> icon to add and delete printers but when the spooler crashes it sometimes
>> is
>> unavailable in the printers folder. The Windows Folder Option: Show
>> common
>> tasks in folders, setting removes the Add Printer icon from the printers
>> folder.
>>
>> the error you are receiving is from this policy setting
>>
>> >> >> gpedit.msc
>> >> >> User Configuration
>> >> >> Admin templates
>> >> >> Control Panel
>> >> >> Printers
>> >> >> Prevent addition of printers
>>
>> Run RSOP.msc to create view that will show which GPO is setting this
>> policy
>> \
>>
>>
>> Do you have special GPO software? The spooler service does not supply a
>> policy setting to install published printers.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> news:8D31FDAD-85A6-4B14-806B-0B1A277EADAE@microsoft.com...
>> > Maybe I don't understand what the print spooler does. I didn't think it
>> > had
>> > anything to do with the Add Printer icon disappearing. When it does
>> > disappear, you can go to File|Add Printer. Instead of the Add Printer
>> > Wizard
>> > coming up, the message "This operation has been cancelled due to
>> > restrictions
>> > in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator."
>> > This
>> > sounds more like a GPO that sometimes gets applied, sometime doesn't. I
>> > just
>> > don't know what GP it could be.
>> >
>> > If it is the spooler on each computer, why would 350 spoolers go bad
>> > all
>> > of
>> > a sudden?
>> >
>> > To answer your question, when this problem first appeared, I set a GPO
>> > to
>> > install published printers when a user logs in. It doesn't seem to
>> > work,
>> > however.
>> >
>> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> The spooler service is failing. Send the dump files to MS and restart
>> >> the
>> >> spooler. Most likely there is a print driver corrupting the spooler
>> >> process
>> >> memory which will cause random failures.
>> >>
>> >> Do you use logon scripts to add printers to user accounts?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Alan Morris
>> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >>
>> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> rights.
>> >>
>> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> news:B83A71C8-E25C-485B-A5F5-39D69973CCFA@microsoft.com...
>> >> > OK. Back to my original question about the Add Printer icon
>> >> > disappearing
>> >> > randomly and printers already installed disappearing randomly.
>> >> > Happens
>> >> > on
>> >> > different computers with different logins (roaming user profiles) at
>> >> > different times. For esample, User 1 could log onto one computer and
>> >> > be
>> >> > able
>> >> > to add a printer when User 2 on that same computer couldn't add a
>> >> > printer.
>> >> > Then User 1 wouldn't be able to add a printer on another computer.
>> >> > Never
>> >> > consistent. There's no problem printing--if the printer is there, it
>> >> > can
>> >> > print fine.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version
>> >> >> (you
>> >> >> have
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the
>> >> >> latest
>> >> >> HP
>> >> >> LJ
>> >> >> 4345 driver.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think
>> >> >> printers
>> >> >> should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the
>> >> >> spooler
>> >> >> service is not running or you are running a really old version of
>> >> >> Lantastic.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> gpedit.msc
>> >> >> Configuration
>> >> >> Admin templates
>> >> >> Control Panel
>> >> >> Printers
>> >> >> Prevent addition of printers
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >>
>> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> >> rights.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I
>> >> >> > update
>> >> >> > it?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent
>> >> >> > hours
>> >> >> > pouring
>> >> >> > over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to
>> >> >> > disappear.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I really appreciate your help.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add
>> >> >> >> Printer
>> >> >> >> UI
>> >> >> >> will
>> >> >> >> not work.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll on the print server
>> >> >> >> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
>> >> >> >> no
>> >> >> >> rights.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt
>> >> >> >> > spooler
>> >> >> >> > problem
>> >> >> >> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there,
>> >> >> >> > result
>> >> >> >> > in
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on
>> >> >> >> > this
>> >> >> >> > computer?
>> >> >> >> > 2.
>> >> >> >> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll
>> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > few
>> >> >> >> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the
>> >> >> >> > fact
>> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> > it
>> >> >> >> > is missing be the problem?
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print
>> >> >> >> >> drivers
>> >> >> >> >> corrupt
>> >> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then
>> >> >> >> >> later
>> >> >> >> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
>> >> >> >> >> location,
>> >> >> >> >> this
>> >> >> >> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using
>> >> >> >> >> version
>> >> >> >> >> 19
>> >> >> >> >> of
>> >> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> >> >> >> >> confers
>> >> >> >> >> no
>> >> >> >> >> rights.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter
>> >> >> >> >> > what
>> >> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> >> > (we
>> >> >> >> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what
>> >> >> >> >> > user
>> >> >> >> >> > (we
>> >> >> >> >> > use
>> >> >> >> >> > roaming
>> >> >> >> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they
>> >> >> >> >> > are
>> >> >> >> >> > not.
>> >> >> >> >> > User
>> >> >> >> >> > A
>> >> >> >> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto
>> >> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> >> > 2
>> >> >> >> >> > and
>> >> >> >> >> > be
>> >> >> >> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They
>> >> >> >> >> > can
>> >> >> >> >> > switch
>> >> >> >> >> > around
>> >> >> >> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have
>> >> >> >> >> > a
>> >> >> >> >> > problem
>> >> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> >> > Computer 2.
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you
>> >> >> >> >> > mean
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > spooler
>> >> >> >> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people
>> >> >> >> >> > aren't
>> >> >> >> >> > losing
>> >> >> >> >> > print jobs.
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > We didn't have this problem until mid-August. I'm wondering
>> >> >> >> >> > if
>> >> >> >> >> > some
>> >> >> >> >> > Windows
>> >> >> >> >> > update caused a problem.
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> >> This sounds like the spooler service has failed and is not
>> >> >> >> >> >> started.
>> >> >> >> >> >> Bad
>> >> >> >> >> >> print drivers are the most common reason the spooler
>> >> >> >> >> >> service
>> >> >> >> >> >> terminates.
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> --
>> >> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
>> >> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
>> >> >> >> >> >> confers
>> >> >> >> >> >> no
>> >> >> >> >> >> rights.
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> >> >> news:4DFA15DD-40BB-495F-B8A0-0BE2E1AB2078@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >> >> > Frequently in my Windows 2003 domain, users will find
>> >> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> >> > Add
>> >> >> >> >> >> > Printer
>> >> >> >> >> >> > icon
>> >> >> >> >> >> > missing and their previously installed printers gone. Or
>> >> >> >> >> >> > they
>> >> >> >> >> >> > will
>> >> >> >> >> >> > click
>> >> >> >> >> >> > on
>> >> >> >> >> >> > the Add printer icon and get a message stating that the
>> >> >> >> >> >> > action
>> >> >> >> >> >> > is
>> >> >> >> >> >> > not
>> >> >> >> >> >> > allowed
>> >> >> >> >> >> > on that computer. This seems to occur randomly on any
>> >> >> >> >> >> > given
>> >> >> >> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> >> >> >> > or
>> >> >> >> >> >> > with
>> >> >> >> >> >> > any given user. Could there be a Group Policy causing
>> >> >> >> >> >> > this?
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

I did get the error message. I'm mystified as to how it is getting set. It
doesn't appear in any of the GPOs applied to the computer or users from AD
GPOs.

Yes, we do have Windows Server 2003 R2 with all updates applied. And yes, I
am the domain admin.

Additionally, on a computer that will not add printers, I ran RSOP.msc. It
didn't show any Admin templates policies under User Configuration when
listing all policies.

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> Set this policy on a machine which is working, run gpupdate /force on a
> command window, and verify the message is the same.
>
> Was the R2 domain schema added to your domain? Pushprinterconnections.exe
> will only work after the domain schema has been updated and printers have
> been added to a GPO object.
>
> Folder Options: yes this is what I was referring to.
>
> Are you the domain admin?
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> news:754DB844-7B56-4D11-9F7B-E5DF48BBA3BA@microsoft.com...
> >I don't have the "Prevent addition of printers" set on any GPOs. I checked
> > this on a computer that did not have the Add Printer icon showing and got
> > the
> > error message when File>>Add Printer was clicked.
> >
> > I used pushprinterconnections per Microsoft web site to try to make the
> > printers available, but it didn't seem to do anything.
> >
> > I also checked the Windows Folder Option and wasn't sure what you meant by
> > the Show common tasks in folders option. If it is checked, the Add Printer
> > icon shows up in the left taks pane. If Windows Classic is checked, it
> > comes
> > up in the list of printers installed. Is that right?
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> The icon is part of the User Interface. The print spooler does not need
> >> the
> >> icon to add and delete printers but when the spooler crashes it sometimes
> >> is
> >> unavailable in the printers folder. The Windows Folder Option: Show
> >> common
> >> tasks in folders, setting removes the Add Printer icon from the printers
> >> folder.
> >>
> >> the error you are receiving is from this policy setting
> >>
> >> >> >> gpedit.msc
> >> >> >> User Configuration
> >> >> >> Admin templates
> >> >> >> Control Panel
> >> >> >> Printers
> >> >> >> Prevent addition of printers
> >>
> >> Run RSOP.msc to create view that will show which GPO is setting this
> >> policy
> >> \
> >>
> >>
> >> Do you have special GPO software? The spooler service does not supply a
> >> policy setting to install published printers.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> news:8D31FDAD-85A6-4B14-806B-0B1A277EADAE@microsoft.com...
> >> > Maybe I don't understand what the print spooler does. I didn't think it
> >> > had
> >> > anything to do with the Add Printer icon disappearing. When it does
> >> > disappear, you can go to File|Add Printer. Instead of the Add Printer
> >> > Wizard
> >> > coming up, the message "This operation has been cancelled due to
> >> > restrictions
> >> > in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator."
> >> > This
> >> > sounds more like a GPO that sometimes gets applied, sometime doesn't. I
> >> > just
> >> > don't know what GP it could be.
> >> >
> >> > If it is the spooler on each computer, why would 350 spoolers go bad
> >> > all
> >> > of
> >> > a sudden?
> >> >
> >> > To answer your question, when this problem first appeared, I set a GPO
> >> > to
> >> > install published printers when a user logs in. It doesn't seem to
> >> > work,
> >> > however.
> >> >
> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> The spooler service is failing. Send the dump files to MS and restart
> >> >> the
> >> >> spooler. Most likely there is a print driver corrupting the spooler
> >> >> process
> >> >> memory which will cause random failures.
> >> >>
> >> >> Do you use logon scripts to add printers to user accounts?
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >>
> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> news:B83A71C8-E25C-485B-A5F5-39D69973CCFA@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > OK. Back to my original question about the Add Printer icon
> >> >> > disappearing
> >> >> > randomly and printers already installed disappearing randomly.
> >> >> > Happens
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > different computers with different logins (roaming user profiles) at
> >> >> > different times. For esample, User 1 could log onto one computer and
> >> >> > be
> >> >> > able
> >> >> > to add a printer when User 2 on that same computer couldn't add a
> >> >> > printer.
> >> >> > Then User 1 wouldn't be able to add a printer on another computer.
> >> >> > Never
> >> >> > consistent. There's no problem printing--if the printer is there, it
> >> >> > can
> >> >> > print fine.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Version 13 will work for XP clients. To get the latest version
> >> >> >> (you
> >> >> >> have
> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> have this for any Vista clients), just download and install the
> >> >> >> latest
> >> >> >> HP
> >> >> >> LJ
> >> >> >> 4345 driver.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> this policy does not remove the Add Printer icon. If you think
> >> >> >> printers
> >> >> >> should be listed in the printers folder and they are not, the
> >> >> >> spooler
> >> >> >> service is not running or you are running a really old version of
> >> >> >> Lantastic.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> gpedit.msc
> >> >> >> Configuration
> >> >> >> Admin templates
> >> >> >> Control Panel
> >> >> >> Printers
> >> >> >> Prevent addition of printers
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:185B8752-E1AC-49C3-91E3-9EBC6903B204@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > Found the hpbmini.dll file. It is version 1.0.0.13. How do I
> >> >> >> > update
> >> >> >> > it?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > What policy could disable the Add Printer function? I've spent
> >> >> >> > hours
> >> >> >> > pouring
> >> >> >> > over our GPOs, but can't find anything that would cause it to
> >> >> >> > disappear.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > I really appreciate your help.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> Policy restrictions can be enabled on the client so the Add
> >> >> >> >> Printer
> >> >> >> >> UI
> >> >> >> >> will
> >> >> >> >> not work.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll on the print server
> >> >> >> >> \windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> >> >> >> >> no
> >> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:C805CA54-0778-4C52-ADCF-2C91584F5D92@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> > Thanks for the information. Two questions: 1. Would a corrupt
> >> >> >> >> > spooler
> >> >> >> >> > problem
> >> >> >> >> > cause the Add Printer icon to disappear or if it is there,
> >> >> >> >> > result
> >> >> >> >> > in
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > message saying it cannot run due to restrictions placed on
> >> >> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> >> > computer?
> >> >> >> >> > 2.
> >> >> >> >> > all our printers are HP. But I can't find the file hpbmini.dll
> >> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> > few
> >> >> >> >> > computers I have checked. Where would it be located. Could the
> >> >> >> >> > fact
> >> >> >> >> > that
> >> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> >> > is missing be the problem?
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> The spooler on the client. Normally caused when print
> >> >> >> >> >> drivers
> >> >> >> >> >> corrupt
> >> >> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> >> >> memory in the spooler. A "bad" driver will free memory, then
> >> >> >> >> >> later
> >> >> >> >> >> reference it. If another driver has store memory at the free
> >> >> >> >> >> location,
> >> >> >> >> >> this
> >> >> >> >> >> can cause the driver to fail and terminate the spooler.
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> Also if you have any HP printers make sure you are not using
> >> >> >> >> >> version
> >> >> >> >> >> 19
> >> >> >> >> >> of
> >> >> >> >> >> hpbmini.dll. HP fixed the problem in version 20.
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> >> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> >> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> >> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> >> >> >> >> >> confers
> >> >> >> >> >> no
> >> >> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> >> "jelaine" <jelaine@cakmail.org> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> >> news:97034DE0-AB60-4AFD-8C69-83AC2D0369C5@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> >> > Why would this occur randomly? It doesn't seem to matter
> >> >> >> >> >> > what
> >> >> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> >> >> > (we
> >> >> >> >> >> > use cloned images, so the drivers are the same) or what
> >> >> >> >> >> > user
> >> >> >> >> >> > (we
> >> >> >> >> >> > use
> >> >> >> >> >> > roaming
> >> >> >> >> >> > user profiles)--sometimes printers are fine, sometimes they
> >> >> >> >> >> > are
> >> >> >> >> >> > not.
> >> >> >> >> >> > User
> >> >> >> >> >> > A
> >> >> >> >> >> > can log onto computer 1 and it is fine, User B can log onto
> >> >> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> >> >> > 2
> >> >> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> >> > be
> >> >> >> >> >> > fine, User C log onto computer 3 and have a problem. They
> >> >> >> >> >> > can
> >> >> >> >> >> > switch
> >> >> >> >> >> > around
> >> >> >> >> >> > and User C is fine, Computer 3 is fine, but User A may have
> >> >> >> >> >> > a
> >> >> >> >> >> > problem
> >> >> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> >> >> > Computer 2.
> >> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >> > How would I detect a problem with the spooler? I assume you
> >> >> >> >> >> > mean
> >> >> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> >> > spooler
> >> >> >> >> >> > on the print server. It seems to be working fine as people
> >> >> >> >> >> > aren't
> >> >> >> >> >> > losing
> >> >> >> >> >> > print jobs.
> >> >> >> >> >> >