Non-hardware printer goes offline after reboot with no port

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25 to
USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected to a
Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the printer
goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the registry just
fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add it back.
Here's what I do:

1) Click "Add printer"
2) Pick local port
3) Pick new
4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
5) Pick the appropriate device driver

Everything looks fine, the printer is attached to a port with the UNC name,
the printer is in the "Ready" state and I can print just fine.

However, when I restart the print spooler or reboot, the following happens

1) The printer is now offline
2) Print jobs just stay in the queue (not surprising)
3) An examinations of the port tab shows the port is missing and no port is
selected
4) An examination of the registry shows the port is present the same way as
before (I could find no difference). The port is defined and the printer
has the port in its definition.
5) If I try and add the port back in manually, I get a "Port already exists"
error, not surprisingly.

Rebooting multiple times has no affect. The only way I know of to get the
printer back is to delete it and add it back in.

I would be so grateful for any tips in addressing this problem - this is
very frustrating.

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:50:44 -0400, "JohnA" <>
wrote:

>I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25 to
>USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected to a
>Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the printer
>goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the registry just
>fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add it back.
>Here's what I do:
>
>1) Click "Add printer"
>2) Pick local port
>3) Pick new
>4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
>5) Pick the appropriate device driver
>
>Everything looks fine, the printer is attached to a port with the UNC name,
>the printer is in the "Ready" state and I can print just fine.
>
>However, when I restart the print spooler or reboot, the following happens
>
>1) The printer is now offline
>2) Print jobs just stay in the queue (not surprising)
>3) An examinations of the port tab shows the port is missing and no port is
>selected
>4) An examination of the registry shows the port is present the same way as
>before (I could find no difference). The port is defined and the printer
>has the port in its definition.
>5) If I try and add the port back in manually, I get a "Port already exists"
>error, not surprisingly.
>
>Rebooting multiple times has no affect. The only way I know of to get the
>printer back is to delete it and add it back in.
>
>I would be so grateful for any tips in addressing this problem - this is
>very frustrating.

I have never tried to install a printer that way, which is not to say
that you're doing it wrong. I think it just means there are other
ways. I always just share the printer on the PC where it's connected,
then on the remote PC I browse the network, locate the shared printer,
right-click on it and select Install. Done, and it has always worked
for me.

--

Char Jackson

"JohnA" <> wrote in message
news:g-...
> I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25
> to USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected
> to a Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the
> printer goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the
> registry just fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add
> it back. Here's what I do:
>
> 1) Click "Add printer"
> 2) Pick local port
> 3) Pick new
> 4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
> 5) Pick the appropriate device driver

But that's not a local port, that's a network printer. Local port would be
used for A) a physical port on your machine or B) a true print server that
you are setting up a local queue for.

>I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25 to
>USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected to a
>Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the printer
>goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the registry just
>fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add it back.
>Here's what I do:
>
>1) Click "Add printer"
>2) Pick local port
>3) Pick new
>4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
>5) Pick the appropriate device driver
>
>Everything looks fine, the printer is attached to a port with the UNC name,
>the printer is in the "Ready" state and I can print just fine.
>
>However, when I restart the print spooler or reboot, the following happens
>
>1) The printer is now offline
>2) Print jobs just stay in the queue (not surprising)
>3) An examinations of the port tab shows the port is missing and no port is
>selected
>4) An examination of the registry shows the port is present the same way as
>before (I could find no difference). The port is defined and the printer
>has the port in its definition.
>5) If I try and add the port back in manually, I get a "Port already exists"
>error, not surprisingly.
>
>Rebooting multiple times has no affect. The only way I know of to get the
>printer back is to delete it and add it back in.
>
>I would be so grateful for any tips in addressing this problem - this is
>very frustrating.

UNC path based printing via MS Networking / Printer Sharing can be
beyond frustrating. Is the XP machines on SP3 and fully patched up? It
sounds like it's breaking the previous connection you made to it.

Since you have Win 7 SP1 installed already, try grabbing the hotfix
from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2457866 and see if it helps. If
not, grab all the below printing-related hotfixes for your Win 7
machines and give it a shot. If all those hotfixes don't solve your
issue, try updating the NIC driver on both the Win 7 box and the XP
PC. If it STILL doesn't fix it, it's the XP PC and I have one more
suggestion after that. Report back on the results.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981070
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2462317
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2484033
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2495074
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2509307
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2511290
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2526028

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]

"JohnA" <> wrote in message
news:g-...
> I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25
> to USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected
> to a Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the
> printer goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the
> registry just fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add
> it back. Here's what I do:
>
> 1) Click "Add printer"
> 2) Pick local port
> 3) Pick new
> 4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
> 5) Pick the appropriate device driver
>
> Everything looks fine, the printer is attached to a port with the UNC
> name, the printer is in the "Ready" state and I can print just fine.
>
> However, when I restart the print spooler or reboot, the following happens
>
> 1) The printer is now offline
> 2) Print jobs just stay in the queue (not surprising)
> 3) An examinations of the port tab shows the port is missing and no port
> is selected
> 4) An examination of the registry shows the port is present the same way
> as before (I could find no difference). The port is defined and the
> printer has the port in its definition.
> 5) If I try and add the port back in manually, I get a "Port already
> exists" error, not surprisingly.
>
> Rebooting multiple times has no affect. The only way I know of to get the
> printer back is to delete it and add it back in.
>
> I would be so grateful for any tips in addressing this problem - this is
> very frustrating.

I agree with Char's post. I used the method here
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-s...c-win-7-a.html
for an older printer that had no real Win7 drivers. It worked for about a
year before the printer itself finally died (old age, just wore out).
--
SC Tom

Hi Char,

There is no other way for me with Windows 7 64 bit - the printer is an HP
DeskJet 990C - if I try and add it the intuitive way (choose network
printer, select it and connect), it tells me (after searching Windows
Update) that it can't find a driver. It then allows me to manually find a
driver. I tried to use the driver for the HP DeskJet 990C that is supplied
with Windows 7 by manually pointing the print installer to
Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\prnhp001.inf_amd64_neutral_081cf2b90ec9e6d5\prnhp001.inf
but it refused to use it. I went to the HP site and they don't have
downloadable drivers for the HP DeskJet 990c and tell you that it is built
in Windows 7. The only problem, it only works if I use the UNC method with
local port or attach my printer via USB cable to my Windows 7 system. So
using the UNC method was my last choice. :-(

So now everytime I reboot my system, I must manually add the port back in
and set it online... one would think that there has to be a better way...

John

"Char Jackson" wrote in message
news:...

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:50:44 -0400, "JohnA" <>
wrote:

>I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25 to
>USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected to a
>Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the printer
>goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the registry
>just
>fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add it back.
>Here's what I do:
>
>1) Click "Add printer"
>2) Pick local port
>3) Pick new
>4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
>5) Pick the appropriate device driver
>
>Everything looks fine, the printer is attached to a port with the UNC name,
>the printer is in the "Ready" state and I can print just fine.
>
>However, when I restart the print spooler or reboot, the following happens
>
>1) The printer is now offline
>2) Print jobs just stay in the queue (not surprising)
>3) An examinations of the port tab shows the port is missing and no port is
>selected
>4) An examination of the registry shows the port is present the same way as
>before (I could find no difference). The port is defined and the printer
>has the port in its definition.
>5) If I try and add the port back in manually, I get a "Port already
>exists"
>error, not surprisingly.
>
>Rebooting multiple times has no affect. The only way I know of to get the
>printer back is to delete it and add it back in.
>
>I would be so grateful for any tips in addressing this problem - this is
>very frustrating.

I have never tried to install a printer that way, which is not to say
that you're doing it wrong. I think it just means there are other
ways. I always just share the printer on the PC where it's connected,
then on the remote PC I browse the network, locate the shared printer,
right-click on it and select Install. Done, and it has always worked
for me.

--

Char Jackson

A local port can be a virtual port (e.g. FILE:, NUL:, etc.) or a UNC
sharename - at least that was my understanding and it did let me do it :-)

"Seth" wrote in message news:ita7fn$5k6$...


"JohnA" <> wrote in message
news:g-...
> I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25
> to USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected
> to a Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the
> printer goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the
> registry just fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add
> it back. Here's what I do:
>
> 1) Click "Add printer"
> 2) Pick local port
> 3) Pick new
> 4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
> 5) Pick the appropriate device driver

But that's not a local port, that's a network printer. Local port would be
used for A) a physical port on your machine or B) a true print server that
you are setting up a local queue for.

>Hi Char,
>
>There is no other way for me with Windows 7 64 bit - the printer is an HP
>DeskJet 990C - if I try and add it the intuitive way (choose network
>printer, select it and connect), it tells me (after searching Windows
>Update) that it can't find a driver. It then allows me to manually find a
>driver. I tried to use the driver for the HP DeskJet 990C that is supplied
>with Windows 7 by manually pointing the print installer to
>Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\prnhp001.inf_amd64_neutral_081cf2b90ec9e6d5\prnhp001.in f
>but it refused to use it. I went to the HP site and they don't have
>downloadable drivers for the HP DeskJet 990c and tell you that it is built
>in Windows 7. The only problem, it only works if I use the UNC method with
>local port or attach my printer via USB cable to my Windows 7 system. So
>using the UNC method was my last choice. :-(
>
>So now everytime I reboot my system, I must manually add the port back in
>and set it online... one would think that there has to be a better way...
>
>John

Use the HP Universal Print Driver.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]

"JohnA" <> wrote in message
news:...
> A local port can be a virtual port (e.g. FILE:, NUL:, etc.) or a UNC
> sharename - at least that was my understanding and it did let me do it :-)

I know the various port differences, and because it let you do it that way
doesn't make it proper or reliable (as you've found out which is why you are
here).

Proper practice is... local port for when the local machine is going to
manage the queue, and choose Network when something else is managing the
queue (such as the XP machine the printer is actually installed on).

It's probably going offline and staying that way when the XP machine reboots
or even hiccups where it is handled differently when you choose Network
printer for the type.



> "Seth" wrote in message
> news:ita7fn$5k6$...
>
>
> "JohnA" <> wrote in message
> news:g-...
>> I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25
>> to USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected
>> to a Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the
>> printer goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the
>> registry just fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and
>> add it back. Here's what I do:
>>
>> 1) Click "Add printer"
>> 2) Pick local port
>> 3) Pick new
>> 4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
>> 5) Pick the appropriate device driver
>
> But that's not a local port, that's a network printer. Local port would
> be
> used for A) a physical port on your machine or B) a true print server that
> you are setting up a local queue for.
>

That's the method I'm using - but it doesn't survive a reboot or spooler
restart for some reason... I assume that yours did which means that putting
the UNC name as the local port is just fine.

"SC Tom" wrote in message news:itajk9$o70$...


"JohnA" <> wrote in message
news:g-...
> I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit - I have a local printer (DB25
> to USB) that runs just fine. But when I try and add a printer connected
> to a Windows XP system, every time I restart the spooler or reboot, the
> printer goes offline and the port vanishes (although it's still in the
> registry just fine). To get it back, I need to remove the printer and add
> it back. Here's what I do:
>
> 1) Click "Add printer"
> 2) Pick local port
> 3) Pick new
> 4) Type \\prtsrv\prtname for the name
> 5) Pick the appropriate device driver
>
> Everything looks fine, the printer is attached to a port with the UNC
> name, the printer is in the "Ready" state and I can print just fine.
>
> However, when I restart the print spooler or reboot, the following happens
>
> 1) The printer is now offline
> 2) Print jobs just stay in the queue (not surprising)
> 3) An examinations of the port tab shows the port is missing and no port
> is selected
> 4) An examination of the registry shows the port is present the same way
> as before (I could find no difference). The port is defined and the
> printer has the port in its definition.
> 5) If I try and add the port back in manually, I get a "Port already
> exists" error, not surprisingly.
>
> Rebooting multiple times has no affect. The only way I know of to get the
> printer back is to delete it and add it back in.
>
> I would be so grateful for any tips in addressing this problem - this is
> very frustrating.

I agree with Char's post. I used the method here
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-s...c-win-7-a.html
for an older printer that had no real Win7 drivers. It worked for about a
year before the printer itself finally died (old age, just wore out).
--
SC Tom