how to use NTSD ?

The_KiD · 27 Dec 2006 at 14:39

I have a problem with a laptop where the print spooler keeps stopping and starting continuously.

I have done some searching and found someone with an identical problem who used a windows tool called NTSD to find software the printer was clashing with.

Unfortunately the software his was clashing with is not on my machine so I can only assume it is some ofther software it is not too happy with.

He also does not mention how to use NTSD and I was wondering if anyone can advise?

I have looked at the /? info but it doesnt make a lot of sense.

testa12 · 27 Dec 2006 at 20:39

so whats so bad about the print spooler stoppin and starting? can u just disable it?

shocking · 27 Dec 2006 at 21:15

Not if he wants to print

Sorry, I don't know anything about NTSD.

testa12 · 27 Dec 2006 at 22:23

Can it be that hard to find which program is causing this to happen without using a debugger? sounds a bit like taking a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.

Just kill processes until you find out which one's hitting the spooler service

Burnsy2023 · 27 Dec 2006 at 23:28

Have you been through the event log? What are the error codes?

Burnsy

The_KiD · 28 Dec 2006 at 09:07

Testa12 - Unfortunately the info I found said that this happens when the printer driver conflicts with another DLL on the machine. So the only way to find it would be to go through every dll on the PC, so yes NTSD would prolly be the simplest way as it when you go to print it will pop up and say "Access Violation in XYZ.dll".

Burnsy - Unfortunately all the eventlog says is "The print spooler service was sent a stop control" & "The print spooler service was sent a start control" about 30 times a minute.

testa12 · 28 Dec 2006 at 10:28

Take a look at Process Explorer from Sysinternals