LPR Printing Device Reports an Error if Printer Not Available

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51 and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51 and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

After installing Service Pack 5 (SP5) for Windows NT version 3.51 or Service Pack 2 (SP2) or 3 (SP3) for Windows NT version 4.0, you may receive one of the following error messages:

• There was an error writing to the IP address.

  -or-

• Unexpected Network Error

CAUSE

This problem occurs when a line printer remote (LPR) printing device does not respond for 15 minutes. A debug timer is being set for 15 minutes of no connection to the printer.

An LPR printing device may stop responding if the printer is out of paper or if it is taken offline.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem and resume printing, clear the dialog box at the server.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51 SP5. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression- tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

MORE INFORMATION

Prior to installing one of the service packs listed above, Windows NT logs an event 2004 to the event log and continues retrying the print job until it is cancelled.