Browse List for Shared Printers is Not Available

ID: q107543

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

The "Browse List for Shared Printers" option may not appear when you choose Connect To Printer. You may be able to connect to the printer by typing the UNC name for the printer. If you are able to connect, you should be able to print.

Symptoms may include spooled jobs in the print queue. Deleting the spooled jobs will not remove them from the print queue, although their status will change from Spooling to Deleting. Removing the driver and reinstalling it will not remove the jobs nor will deleting the spool files from %SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS.

CAUSE

There is a problem with NWWKS.DLL (NWCS print provider).

WORKAROUND

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide

   problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them.
   Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of
   Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

Delete all references to the printer from

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print \Environments
   Windows N T x86\Drivers

-and-

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers

(NOTE: You must choose the applicable Environment key, such as Windows NT x86, Windows NT R400, or Windows NT Alpha_AXP, based on the hardware platform you have.)

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt csnw

Keywords          : kbnetwork
Version           : 3.1
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: August 17, 1998