Reference number: CH000373

Spool 32 printer error.

Issue:

Spool 32 printer error.

Additional information:

Spool32.exe is a 32-bit Windows 95 and Windows 98 component that manages the spooling of print jobs. Spooling allows the computer to store the print job temporarily on the hard disk drive before sending it to the printer. This allows for the print jobs to be processed faster and allows the computer to be used as the computer is printing.

Cause:

This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.

1. Third-party program or TSR being loaded.
2. Issue with or corrupt printer driver.
3. Third-party driver being loaded.
4. System contains data errors or issue with files.

Solution:

Third-party program or TSR loaded

Ensure that no third-party programs are running in the background by End Tasking all TSRs running on the computer. Information and steps on how to do this can be found on document CHTSR.

Issue with or corrupt printer driver

Download the latest printer drivers from your printer manufacturer's web site and reinstall the printer drivers.

A listing of printer manufactures and links to their driver pages can be found on our printer driver page.

Third-party driver being loaded

It is possible that a driver related to another program may be loading as the computer is starting that is causing this issue. To determine this, users who are running Windows 95 or Windows 98 try the below steps.

1. Click Start / Run
2. Type command and click ok.
3. Type:
   
   cd\ <press enter>
   ren autoexec.bat autoexec.ch <press enter>
   ren config.sys config.ch <press enter>
   exit <press enter>
   
4. Once the autoexec.bat and config.sys have been renamed, reboot the computer and see if issue persists.

If the issue persists, it is still possible that a drive may be loading in the win.ini or system.ini; to restore the original system.ini and win.ini follow the below steps. It is important to realize that following the below steps may cause some of your programs not to work. If this occurs, reinstalling that program will allow it to work once again.

1. Click Start / Shutdown and restart the computer in MS-DOS mode.
2. At MS-DOS type:
   
   cd\windows <press enter>
   dir *.--- <press enter>
   
   If the files system.--- and win.--- are present continue with the below steps. If, however, these files are missing, these steps cannot be completed. Reboot the computer.
   
   ren system.ini system.ch <press enter>
   ren win.ini win.ch <press enter>
   ren system.--- system.ini <press enter>
   ren win.--- win.ini <press enter>
   
3. Once the above has been completed, reboot the computer to see if the issue still persists.

System contains data errors or issue with files.

• Ensure that at least 100MB of free disk space is available.
• If you are running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME, run scandisk and defrag on the computer to ensure that there are no errors or issue with the hard disk drive.
• Click Start / Find / Find Files or Folders and search for *.tmp files. Delete all .TMP files that are found.