Print spooler service isn’t running

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After removing the w32.blaster with the Symantec tool, all of my printers are missing, and attempts to install with the MS Generic or the HP3330 CD give error messages: RPC server is unavailable, Remote procedure call failed, Print spooler service isn’t running. I used the MS tool Microsoftfixit.printing.Run.exe, which claimed to have successfully started the spooler, but any attempt to install the printer shuts it down. I can start it in services, but again it shuts down upon attempted printer installation (set to automatic). Running XP-SP3. How do I recover?

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I moved this post from another older thread to open this thread.

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See How to clear the print spooler helps.

Joe

--Joe

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Approaching the My Computer page both ways, no printers are listed on the page. (Files, Hard Drives, Devices, and Cameras are present on the page.) Also going to Printers and Faxes, no printers and no documents are listed.

Thanks for the suggestion.

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Did you go ahead and try to clear the Spooler folder?

Joe

--Joe

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Yes, I navigated to the spooler folder, and it is empty.

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Then I’d do a repair install of XP.

Joe

--Joe

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Go to Services and double click on print spooler. Click on the dependencies tab. Check each listed service and make sure it is started and set to automatic.

Jerry

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Hi : I doubt the “Symantec Tool” COMPLETELY REMOVED whatever malware was on your computer ; best I can tell this “tool” is 5 yrs old, ancient and most likely ineffective in today’s malware world . Perhaps if you used current day FREE programs like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware ( http://www.malwarebytes.org/products ) and/or “SUPERAntiSpyware” ( http://www.superantispyware.com ) , your current problem MAY be resolved !?

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Hi SpiritWind,

Yes, and the malware slipped past the Symantec AntiVirus that was running at the time with a definition file that was only 4 days old! Some protection.

I will give your suggestions a try in case the worm is still lurking, but it apparently made some registry changes that the running RPC is not serving the print spooler.

John

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SpiritWind

YOU WERE RIGHT!!!

A quickscan with Malwarebytes found 10 infected objects, including 4 registry keys and 2 registry values, and fixed all of them. I now have both HP printers back, and also the virtual printers. I will do another complete scan tonight with my backup drive reattached. I can send the notepad log file to anyone interested in the grizzly details.

Much thanks.
John

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Hi Jerry,

The only listed service is: Remote Procedure Call (RPC). It is set to automatic, and is started. The executable file is
svchost -k rpcss. I have checked the registry, and the HKey_Local_MachineSystemCurrentControlSetServicesRpcSsstart contains 2. It is noteworthy that the error messages when attempting to install a printer reference the RPC failed or not being available, but Task Manager shows 8 processes running.

John

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