Brianjn

Firstly I've noted from a Google search that someone here had an issue somewhat akin to mine, but seemingly not quite.

The error was the same:
"Spool32 has created an error in <unknown>
etc"

Just a few days ago I decided, after doing this some months ago, to use my OEM recovery disk (Optima) to reformat the HDD and reinstall the OS (ME). And I did this some 4 or 5 times

After each installation I got the typical white dialog presenting my name and awaiting the unnecessary password (probably there because of the internet hub computer connection). If I didn't intervene by pressing any key within a few minutes I was likely to find two Spool32 dialog boxes had to be cleared before Windows could be used. If I came back quite sometime later it was if the computer had frozen, expect that many such dialog boxes had built up.

Interestingly, if I cleared the first two I could generally work with reasonable freedom although the computer seemed slow.

Now, after each of those installations the computer had not been introduced to a printer! but I still get the spool error.

Just before finding this avenue of assistance I found a commercial site that offered a free scan. They very nicely fixed a small number of errors but some 247 could be fixed by buying their package

Oh! After my last installation I decided to install my Epson CX4100 printer, and Spool32 played havoc there. Eventually, with perseverance I installed it; there were hiccups again after installation. I was allowed to print a short text (txt) document but when I went to print a web page (which I had saved to disk) printing began to spool and print with the machine crashing to a blue screen with an error that
"Windows has caused a GFP error [correct initials(?)] at address cited."

Pressing a key allowed printing to go on through a few more such errors, but one can't live with that!

OldGrayGary

Hi Brianjn


I'll assume that the Recovery disk you used is the same that came with the system when it was purchased (if not, let us know). Have there been any significant upgrades to your hardware since the PC came home? (That can sometimes adversely effect the success of the recovery).

I think it might be best if you try everything all over again.
Here's a checklist of what I'd do:
1) Erase the hard drive completely (use the hard drive manufacturer's utility or Darik's Boot & Nuke)
2) Test the system memory ( http://www.memtest.org )
3) Test the hard drive ( http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 )
4) Check the Bios. Find a manual (your favorite search engine should yield one) and check the settings against what you see in your Setup screens. Especially pay attention to the time/date ... if they've reverted backwards several years, it's time to replace the CMOS battery --- http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...&product=94878 --- [a good generic guide].
5) While in your system's Bios, disable any Bios Antivirus settings (you can re-enable these afterwards ... they could cause trouble during a recovery).
6) Disconnect all external devices from the PC except monitor, keyboard and mouse [disconnect from networks - wired or wireless, disconnet PDAs, speakers, external modems, external hard drives/optical drives, scanners, fax machines, multifunctions, printers, cameras, PDAs, iPods, etc.].
7) Run the Recovery disk again. Do not restore any data or programs from personal backups yet! -- and stay disconnected from any networks or the Internet.
8) Right-click on "My Computer", select "Properties", then "Advanced", then in the "Startup & Recovery" section - select "Settings", then in the "System Failure" seciton - remove the checkmark from "Automatically restart".
9) Reboot into Safe Mode (start tapping the F8 key as the system is powering on, and select it from the menu)
10) Right-click "My Computer", select "Properties", then "Hardware", then "Device Manager". Remove any devices in the "Printer" category, if any are listed.
11) Reboot normally.
12) If asked to enter a password for the Windows Me login, either provide one, or leave it blank (if the password is left blank, that will keep the login screen from appearing again).
13) If Spool32 errors occur at this point, write down the entire error message and post it here.
14) If the system proves error-free to this point, you can start installing your WinMe compatible antivirus. Then reboot to test for errors.
15) If successful, install your WinMe compatible software firewall. Reboot and test for errors.
16) If successful, you can connect your ethernet cable or enable your wireless, and visit Windows Update. Install all Critical Updates, and visit several times to make sure everything is up to date.
17) Update your antivirus & firewall at this point.
18) If all is error free to this point, scan all backups before restoring them - and then restore them one at a time.
19) If still error free, begin reinstalling programs one at a time, rebooting after each & testing for errors.
20) If still error free, you can try installing a printer with a known-good WinMe printer driver. Note that many printer drivers had trouble in WinMe - they were common as rain. (A new driver model was introduced with WinME, and some initial confusion seems to have resulted).

Let us know if you have questions
. . . Gary