Microsoft KB Archive/944733

= The Add Printer Wizard stops responding in Windows Server 2003 SP1 when you install a printer to a print server =

Article ID: 944733

Article Last Modified on 11/12/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

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SYMPTOMS
You use the Add Printer Wizard to install a printer to a print server on a Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)-based computer. However, the Add Printer Wizard stops responding in the Completing the Add Printer Wizard dialog box for up to 40 minutes. Eventually, the Completing the Add Printer Wizard dialog box closes. Additionally, the installation is completed successfully.



CAUSE
This problem occurs if one or more of the following conditions are true:
 * The print server has lots of print queues that are installed and that are busy printing.
 * The print driver that is being installed shares common binaries with the other print drivers in the print queue.
 * The print drivers in the print server have plug-ins that have complex load-time initialization routines.

When a driver installation results in any modification in the dependent binaries that are shared by the other print drivers in the print server, the DrvUpgradePrinter function is called on each affected print queue on the print server. Additionally, the Add Printer Wizard waits until all the print queues are upgraded. The upgrade of print queues causes the plug-ins to be loaded and unloaded multiple times. The delay depends on how many print queues are affected, how many shared dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) were loaded by the spooler, and the complexity of the plug-in initialization routines.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, follow these guidelines:
 * Avoid sharing common binary files.
 * Optimize the plug-in initialization code. Additionally, reduce the number of dependent DLLs that are linked.
 * Pause the print queues in the server before you add the new printer.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.

Keywords: kbtshoot kbprb KB944733

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