Remote Procedure Call (RPC) error lost printer connection

Question

I have lost all connectivity to printers and when I went to reinstall I get error messages about the print spooler not available or 'The RPC server is unavailable'  I am on a home network but I don't have a computer acting as a server.  The printer works fine when I move the USB cable to another computer and install the drivers on that printer.     I tried to:   start spooler (command line: Net start spooler) that says it started but I still can't get the printers back or installed uninstall the printer software and driver and downloaded a new version from HP and installed that.   Neither thing has helped.

RoHe · Answer

If this just started happening, you may want to try System Restore.
Click Start>help&support
Click "Undo changes..."
Follow prompts and pick most recent date available when you know it was ok. Personal files will be ok, but any XP updates or software installed after the date used for the Restore will have to be reinstalled.

If that doesn't do it:
Click start>run
Type in: services.msc
Click OK
Right-click RPC and select Properties. Make sure it's set to automatic and reboot.

Since this is USB printer, you need to uninstall the software and start the reinstall without the printer attached to the PC. Connect the printer only when HP software tells you to do that. Otherwise XP will install the wrong driver and it won't work.

If none of that helps, try Windows System File check.
Click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
Click OK
Insert XP CD if sfc requests it. Reboot when it's done.

Ron

mdentner · Answer

Thanks for the suggestions.  Something is wrong with my system restore so that didn't work. The RPC was set to automatic, The reinstall of the printer software and driver hung up at 17% complete because the spooler was unavailable,   I didn't do the systems file check becasue before I read your response I put in the windows XP disc and did a 'recovery' option which basically re-installed windows.  It seams to have solved the problem.   My biggest problem right now is that my daughter is using that computer for all her homework assignments and I can't get to it to finish some of the checkout I want to do.  We can print now so this issue is done.

RoHe · Answer

By 'recovery' do you mean you did a repair reinstall of XP? In that case, don't forget that you have to download and reinstall ALL XP updates and hotfixes again. Be sure to do that before surfing the net or you'll be wide open to every bit of malware out there. Whenever there's an issue with XP, sfc is always a good thing to try next if a System Restore doesn't fix it. sfc doesn't remove your personal files or any XP updates and hotfixes. And if it can't resolve the problem, you still have some other options before doing the repair reinstall. If you can't resolve the current issues, post back and we'll try to help. Ron

Windows General

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) error lost printer connection

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