W98SE Printer screen freeses

[Bart]

When I open the printer screen (Configuration screen, printers or this computer, printers) it shows part of the defined printers and just make the computer hang. The reset button of the pc is the only way to get it back alive.
Due to this behaviour It is impossible to reach the printer setups and use head cleaning and utilities like that.

Is this a W98 problem? Is there a solution? Does anybody have the golden tip?

[DaveA]

I nevere have had this problem.
What printer(s), network and local do you have instaled?

[Granville]

First step I would take is to run Scandisk (error check the HDD) then defrag.

I have seen something similar, but a reboot *usually* allows access to the Printers Control Panel. I then delete all printers, run the defrag and reinstall the printers. Long winded, but the problems tend to re-occur doing otherwise. (Mind, if you can't open the Panel then this is useless to you.)

[Bart]

I rebooted several times, but the panel still freezes the computer, therefore it is not possible to delete the printers.
I have a peer to peer network, an Epson 660 local (on the parallel port) and a HP4plus on the hub.
I am using the HP JetAdmin software to print to HP4plus. Printing is not a problem, both printers work fine. The HP works also fine when printing from other PC's on the network.
Virus scanner is running fine and up to date.
I have a feeling is has to be something concerning Windows, but I haven't found it (yet).

[Granville]

Sorry, Bart. I think the mention of deleting the printer just clouded the issue.

I was suggesting you go to the Tools tab under Properties for the HDD to check for any errors. Running the defrag as well will allow the system to tidy up the files, including the spooler which is the print queue.

[Bart]

No luck,

I checked the hard disk, I run defrag. Still a hangup after starting the printer panel. I even tried to do it after killing every proces except explorer and systray after a cold start. Same result.
It is the only odd behaviour I noticed until now. Everything else seems to work fine.

Is it possible the registry is damaged? Can that cause behaviour like this?

[Granville]

Bart, I'm afraid we have reached my limit.

I guess the Registry could cause this problem, but how you check or fix it I do not know.

Hopefully someone else can guide you further.

[Leif]

Is

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q190/6/28.ASP>Q190628</A> Problems After You Install Hewlett-Packard JetAdmin Service

any use?

[kc0dxh]

Couple things come to mind.

1. Delete your icon cache. (Can someone step in and explain this? I don't recall how.) If the icon is corrupt it could do this.

2. Unplug all printers from your computer and then start the computer. If windows doesn't load the drivers it might not crash and give you a chance to work on it.

[Leif]

Deleting your icon cache :- previous post <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wopr.com/cgi-bin/w3t/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=98&Number=41243&page=&view= &sb=&o=&vc=1>here</A>

[SparkyPatrick]

Have you recently upgraded to Win 98? If so, try updating the printer drivers as you may have retained older , incompatible drivers.