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Windows Server: Top Spooler Issues

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Hi
This article is a collection of the more seen issue for the spooler subsystem that you may encounter.

How to add 32 bit driver to a 64 bit Windows Server

  1. Share the Printer from a 64-bit OS.
  2. From a 32-bit computer, logged as a domain administrator, navigate to the printer share.
  3. a. Double click Printer
  4. b. Right click the share name
  5. c. Click Sharing
  6. d. Click Additional driver, x86 Type 3 - User Mode.

The print work when logged as a server administrator on the computer, but not when logged as a normal user

Double check that your printer is not a hostbased's one. Host based printer rely on the computer the render the data, thus the driver often need more right into the server to operate. Often a printout from a normal user will crash the spooler.

Unofficial workaround

  1. Use the universal driver. Often it will bypass the problem.
  2. Use a laserjet 4 or 5's driver, EVEN if a Xerox or other brand, as the PCL's standard come from those model, and it work on any model. The drawback ? 300dpi...

PDF printing. The printout is too big in the spooler

You will see that a *lot* of time in architect or designer's office on plotter. In CAD software the printout will be only some meg, while a 2-3 megs PDF will become 3-4 GIGS in the spooler.

What cause that ? A non postscript printer will. As often you have the choice to buy the printer with a postscript extension module or not. If you don't have the module, the printer might finish to send a multilayer drawing in dot by dot to the printer, thus making the printout enormous.

Workaround

  1. Buy a postscript module
  2. If you can't, then try to print it as a image if you have to use the PDF
  3. a. File -> Print -> Advanced -> "Print as a Image". (Be advised you will loose quality)
     
    Reference: Acrobat Help / Quick fix | Print PDF as image | Acrobat, Reader