Spooler Subsystem Error and Can't Share Folder "Program Files"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill Hill
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Bill Hill

I'm using Windows XP and adding a new computer to an
existing ethernet network that used to work correctly.

Now, when I try to run the "Setup Network" wizard or
the "Add Network Place" wizard, I find that I keep
getting a wierd error that doesn't show up in
Help: "Spooler Subsystem Error"

This seems to prevent the correct running of the wizard,
I'm guessing, as -- although the other computers show up
in the "Network Places" display -- I can't share
the "Program Files" folder among them.

Wierdly enough, it WILL let me share sub-folders within
the "Program Files folder, as the share on the network
checkboxes are greyed out and unavaible.

When I grind through the Help files, all I get is that
the computer may "not be connected to a network" -- as
the share on the network checkboxes are greyed out and
unavaible.

Any insights on how to correct so the network will run
correctly?

Bill Hill
 
"Bill Hill" said:
I'm using Windows XP and adding a new computer to an
existing ethernet network that used to work correctly.

Now, when I try to run the "Setup Network" wizard or
the "Add Network Place" wizard, I find that I keep
getting a wierd error that doesn't show up in
Help: "Spooler Subsystem Error"

This seems to prevent the correct running of the wizard,
I'm guessing, as -- although the other computers show up
in the "Network Places" display -- I can't share
the "Program Files" folder among them.

Wierdly enough, it WILL let me share sub-folders within
the "Program Files folder, as the share on the network
checkboxes are greyed out and unavaible.

When I grind through the Help files, all I get is that
the computer may "not be connected to a network" -- as
the share on the network checkboxes are greyed out and
unavaible.

Any insights on how to correct so the network will run
correctly?

Bill Hill
Click to expand...

Before running the wizard, type this line at a command prompt:

net stop spooler

After running the wizard, type this line:

net start spooler

The "Program Files" behavior that you've noted is by design -- a bad
design, in my opinion. When Windows XP is installed on an NTFS disk
partition using "simple file sharing", it doesn't allow sharing the
Documents and Settings, Program Files, or Windows folders.

If you have Windows XP Professional, you can permanently disable
simple file sharing, which removes those restrictions:

1. Open My Computer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
2. Scroll to the end of the advanced settings.
3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended).

If you have Windows XP Home Edition, there's no easy solution. The
easiest thing is to share individual subfolders, as you've found.

You can re-install the operating system on a FAT32 disk partition,
since that disk format doesn't have any sharing restrictions. However,
that would lose the benefits of NTFS, which is more reliable and
efficient and can use larger disks. You'd also need to re-install all
of your applications.

I've heard of two possible solutions for XP Home Edition on an NTFS
disk partition. Before I give them, I want to emphasize that:

1. They're un-supported, un-documented, and un-tested.

2. There's no guarantee that they'll work.

3. They might cause data loss or corruption.

4. Microsoft and your computer manufacturer probably won't offer
technical support if they cause problems.

5. Don't blame me if they cause problems. I warned you.

If you want to try them, at your own risk:

1. Back up all of your important data first so that you can restore it
in case of problems.

2. Run System Restore to create a restore point that you can go back
to in case of problems.

OK. With those danger signs flashing and alarm bells ringing, here
they are:

1. Start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking" (which temporarily
disables "Simple File Sharing"), share the desired folder(s), set the
permissions, and reboot normally, or:

2. Follow the procedure shown here:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
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