You receive an error message if you try to print a document on Windows 2000-based and Windows XP-based computers

If you try to print a document, you experience one of more of the following symptoms:

• If you try to print a document by using Microsoft Excel, you receive the following error message:
  Current printer is unavailable. Select another printer
  .
• If you try to print a document by using Microsoft Power Point, you receive the following error message:
  No printers are installed
  .
• If you try to print a document by using Lotus Notes, you receive the following error message:
  Insufficient memory

These symptoms occur if the following conditions are true:

• You try to print a document from a Microsoft Office program or Lotus Notes program.
• You try to print a document from a Microsoft Windows 2000-based or Microsoft Windows XP-based computer.

This problem occurs because you do not have the permissions that are required to create or re-create a parsed binary printer description file (.bud).

Note The .bud file is a binary version of the generic printer description file (.gpd) that is included with many printer drivers. Additionally, the .bud file is located in the Windows\System32\Spooler\Drivers\W32x86\3 folder.

In some scenarios, multiple printers share common .gpd files. For example, multiple printers may share the Stdnames.gpd and the Ttfsub.gpd files. These shared common .gpd files may be updated or may be out of date. If the shared common .gpd file is updated or is out of date, the .bud file must be recreated.

The problem that is described in this article does not occur if you have the correct permissions to the Windows\System32\Spooler\Drivers\W32x86\3 folder. The problem does not occur because the .bud file is successfully re-created the next time that the user uses the printer.

Typically, the Spooler service generates the .bud file when the related .gpd printer files are updated. When the problem that is described in this article occurs, the Spooler service cannot update the .bud files for existing printers.

Windows 2000 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, submit a request to Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 is required to install this hotfix

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes. The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows XP Hotfix Information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later is required to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes. The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows XP Service Pack 1

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: