HP LaserJet, Color LaserJet and Mopier Printers - Solving Spool 32 Errors When Printing in Microsoft (R) Windows 95, 98, and Me

QUESTION: Why do Spool 32 errors occasionally occur when printing to a product in Windows 95/98/Me?

ANSWER: Typically, the computer has fax or answering machine software preinstalled that interferes with the printer spooler. However, there does not seem to be any one specific problem that makes Spool 32 errors occur. Many workarounds have had varying success and are listed below:

In the driver properties, change Spool Data Format settings from RAW to EMF or vice versa.

Go into Properties, and select Details, Spool Settings, then Print directly to printer.

Go into Properties, and select Details, Port Settings, and unselect anything that may have been check-marked.

Check for anti-virus software and disable any TSRs.

Remove any unnecessary .TMP files, then run a Defrag and ScanDisk.

Upgrade the LPT.VXD file. (Windows 95 only)

Use one of the built-in Microsoft drivers.
Download the latest version of the product driver from the HP Web site.

Try one of the following solutions to correct Spool 32 errors, such as "Spool 32 Caused a General Protection Fault in Module GDI.EXE."

Option 1 (preferred)

Change the Windows 95/98/Me spooler process to have the program and printer working full-time. This solution provides full-time use of the program and full printer functionality.

First try (Option 1)

Restart Windows 95/98/Me.

Click Start, Settings, and Printers.

In Printers, right-click the printer icon.

Click Properties.

Select Details.

Click Spool Settings.

Arrow down to Spool data format.

Change the setting from EMF to RAW and click OK to close Spool Settings.

Click OK to close Properties.

Close Printers window.

Restart Windows 95/98/Me and try to print again. If unsuccessful, restart Windows 95/98/Me again and proceed to "Second try," below.

Second try (Option 1)

NOTE: These changes disable the spooler in Windows 95. The computer will be limited in its ability to multitask (slower than normal) while printing. This option will not work with a Host-Based Driver.

Click Start, Settings, and Printers.

In Printers, right-click the printer icon.

Click Properties.

Select Details.

Click Port Settings.

Uncheck Spool MS-DOS (R) print jobs and Check port state before printing by clicking the box next to them. Click OK.

Click Spool Settings.

Select Print directly to the printer. The Spool data format will default to RAW.

Click OK, Apply, and OK.

Close the Printers window.

Restart Windows 95/98/Me and try to print again. If unsuccessful, restart Windows 95/98/Me again and proceed to "Option 2" below.

Option 2

Temporarily close the interfering program for printing purposes.

Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE to open the Close Program window.

Highlight any fax/answering machine program listed and select End Task. Repeat this process for each program listed that may interfere with the printing process.

Try again to print. If printing is successful, the program(s) closed was interfering with the printing process. Repeat the above two steps each time you print.

Option 3

Permanently remove any interfering terminate-stay-resident programs (TSRs) from the computer by uninstalling the software through any regular means. For assistance, contact the manufacturer of the software or the computer manufacturer.

Option 4

Remove any unnecessary temporary files. Check the C:\TEMP and C:\WINDOWS\TEMP directories for any files with a .TMP extension. Delete any unnecessary .TMP files and then run Defrag and ScanDisk. Contact the PC Manufacturer for further assistance with this step.

Option 5

If the error occurs when trying to delete and install a new print driver, verify that the port is set to LPT1 and not to a network port.

Option 6 (Windows 95 only)

Upgrade the MS Windows 95 LPT.VXD file to version 4.00.503. This file can be found on the Windows 95 CD-ROM disk. Install the file either in Windows 95 or in MS-DOS. Contact the appropriate computer or operating system support group for further assistance with this step.

NOTE: The LPT.VXD file is not located on the Windows 95 diskettes. Those with diskettes must contact Microsoft to obtain the file (LPT.VXD version 4.00.503) from Microsoft's electronic distribution center. Problems updating the LPT.VXD file should be referred to Microsoft.

Option 7

If the results are still unsatisfactory, try using an alternate driver, such as the PCL5e, PS, etc.

Source Information:
HP Website Link