spoolsrv32

[jong2k4]

On my computer at work we typically run only 3 programs- Excel, Word, and a POS (point of sale) program called Symtix. The OS is Windows 98- not sure if it is SE or not.

Periodically, Symtix kills off the spoolsrv32 program, which as far as I've been able to tell has something to do with the printer. the standard dialog box, I don't really remember the exact text, pops up and says "this program has a problem and needs to be shut down." From there on out, we can't print anything without restarting the computer. Also, as Symtix is designed to not work without a printer, it runs at about 1/20th its usual speed.

Is there anyway to restart the spoolsrv32 program w/o restarting the computer? I know in XP I could do something like that through the task manager but I'm not very familiar with Windows 98.

EDIT: The program is named spool32, not spoolsrv32.

[GaryRouth]

I'd probably first call the Symtix vendor, especially if such calls are covered under your service agreement. This is just to be sure that there isn't a patch or update available that might fix a "known issue" [ an example of such a Symtix update: http://www.funcentersoftware.com/updsym.htm ]

That said, I noticed an old forum thread (from a Google search, of course) that mentioned some relief from errors when more memory was added. http://forums.progresstalk.com/showthread.php?t=30599

You could also try updating the printer driver. . . usually you will want to uninstall the older driver first (from Start/Settings/Printers, delete the printer from the Printers folder, and when prompted, say yes to remove files no longer used by this printer - then visit Add/Remove Programs and remove any further printer software).

Let us know if none of this helps & we can look for something else to try
. . . Gary

[jong2k4]

Already have the latest Symtix update.... upgrading the memory is out of the question, given the stinginess of management toward any useful upgrades.

So I'll try updating the printer drivers.

By the way, just in case anyone was planning on getting an HP Laserjet 4L, a very small "economy" laser printer, don't. It jams on about 1 in 5 sheets and some parts are liable to pop off and be very difficult to reattach when you go fixing the jam.