"Print spooler service is not running."

I get the following error heading: Spooler SubSystem App

Spooler SubSystem App has encountered a problem and needs to close.  We are sorry for the inconvenience.

I then get the following list of files that are being sent to Microsoft: C:\DOCUME~1\Karen\LOCALS~1\Temp\WERbb99.dir00\spoolsv.exe.mdmp

C:\DOCUME~1\Karen\LOCALS~1\Temp\WERbb99.dir00\appcompat.txt

The error report contents are as follows:
szAppName: spool.exe
szAppVer: 5.1.2600.2696
szModName: SDIMF32.DLL
szModVer: 5.6.0.2209.0
offset: 000454d

 

Upon trying to reinstall any printer, I get the following error message:  Operation could not be completed.  The print spooler service is not running.

 

I have tried to restart the print service manually by going into, "Start", "Control Panel", "Performance and Maintenance", "Administrative Tools", double-click "Services", double-click "Print Spooler" and then click "Start".  I then get the error "Spooler SubSystem App" AGAIN!

 

I tried System restore on three occassions to no avail. I also tried "Start", "Run", "msconfig" and unchecking the print spooler box in the "Services" tab, restarting, etc. to no avail. 

 

To note:  I know I have 2 items in the print que that I cannot delete.  When I pull up my printers folder, there is nothing in it......as if all the printers are gone.

 

I have two files each with the "*.spl" and "*.shd" in the following path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS  These have the same properties as the time I qued the prints.

 

I have an Epson R200 and an HP LaserJet 1012.  The problem occured last evening while scanning in "copy" mode from my Visioneer OneTouch 9320 scanner and printing on the HP LaserJet 1012.

 

I have visited forums on dell.com and came across a possible solution in the Dell Knowledge Base Document #121725.  I am very concerned about editing the registry.   I have never done it on this computer (I have on my Win98 Dell).  I would prefer a printout of the instructions.  I can get to another computer and get them off the internet.  What suggestions do you have on making a backup copy of important files?  What files are important? Is it the "autoexec.nt" that I should be most concerned with?  To note: (most of) our data files are backed up.

 

I have another possible solution from another source for the following:
1) use the command, "net stop spooler"

2) Using Windows Explorer, navigate to (%systemroot%\system32\spool\printers) and delete any files with ".shd" or ".spl" extensions.

3)use the command, "net start spooler".

 

What would be the best approach; or do you have an alternative?