|
FileMaker Pro communicates with its default printer while it opens. It checks its printer settings so it can display the Form view of the opening screen.
IT FileMaker databases (Mailing List v4.1, 4-H Youth Development Enrollment Program, Youth Show Programs, and Financial Records) have a tabbed interface that makes the printer test more susceptible to a crash. Winspool.drv is the name of the program driver that interfaces with the printer. If your FileMaker Pro application is crashing, and you click the Details link in the error message, check to see if winspool.drv as the cause of the error.
FileMaker Pro.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
We are sorry for the inconvenience.
AppName: filemaker pro.exe AppVer: 4.0.3.55 ModName: winspool.drv
ModVer: 5.1.2600.1106 Offset: 00006182
FileMaker Pro determines the default printer as follows:
-
The first time that FileMaker Pro runs, it sets the operating system’s default printer driver as the default printer driver for the application.
-
If the printer driver that is stored for FileMaker Pro is for some reason invalid when FileMaker Pro launches, FileMaker Pro sets the printer driver to whatever the default printer driver for the system is AT THAT TIME.
-
If the Print Setup command is used to change printers, FileMaker Pro then USES THIS PRINTER for all future use (or until you select another printer in Print Setup).
NOTE: These steps assume that you are receiving the winspool.drv error and are using Windows XP. You will be adding a new printer from scratch. Then instructing FileMaker to use this printer as its default printer. If errors persist, you may need to remove all your printers from the Printers and Faxes, delete their ports, and create new printers from scratch.
Setting up a FileMaker Friendly Printer
Change the Default Printer
Help FMP run without crashing
Remove Network Printers and their Ports
Setting up a FileMaker Friendly Printer
NOTE: IT recommends that multifunction Printer/Copier/Fax devices are not used as FileMaker's default printer. If possible, an HP printer should be used as FileMaker's default printer. This is not to say that you can't print to multifunction Printer/Copier/Fax devices with FileMaker. But if you are experiencing winspool.drv errors and a multifunction device is being used, it should be eliminated from the mix.
-
General guidelines for a FileMaker Friendly Printer:
-
Use a Standard TCP/IP port
-
Do not use a PCL6 driver, use a PS driver, PCL5e driver, or PCL driver (in that order)
-
Turn off "Enable bidirectional support"
-
Turn off higher end printer functions
-
Download PS and PCL5e drivers for your printer. This can be done in two ways:
-
IT maintains a list of HP drivers on their FTP site. Click the following link. Then locate your printer model and download the needed drivers to your computer. Save these folders to your C drive.
ftp://128.118.82.20/Windows/Printing/HP_Printers/Windows_XP/
-
You will need to visit your printer's manufacturer website. This could be HP Customer Care if we didn't have the driver for your HP printer. Or, if you have a multifunctional device, you may find these links useful. Again, you are looking for the PS and PCL5e drivers.
Canon, Gestetner, KonicaMinolta, KyoceraMita, Lanier, Okidata, Sharp, Toshiba, Xerox
-
Print the following How To: How To Add a Printer via a Standard TCP/IP Port
Note: You will follow this How To with these additions.
-
In the "Configure Windows XP to print via a TCP/IP port" section, step 12, when it says to Choose your driver, you will need to click Have Disk. Then click Browse. Then locate, select and open the driver folder for the printer. When you have selected the new driver, you can click Next and continue with step 13.
Note: After completing step 17, printing the test page, you should:
-
Right Click on the new printer and choose Properties. Click the Ports tab.
Note: If you are setting up an HP printer, you should see the choice listed in step 6. If you're setting up another printer type, please look for a similar setting. This "bidirectional support" option allows the computer and printer to share information. It is being turned off with the intent of minimizing or "dumbing down" the communication that occurs.
-
Un-check the Enable bidirectional support box.
Note: These next options which you will turn off or lower are HP specific. The general thought is to minimize the higher end settings of the FileMaker Friendly printer. You want FileMaker to see a "basic" printer with no frills. Again,if you're setting up another printer type, look for a similar settings.
-
Click the General tab. Click the Printing Preferences button. Click the Advanced button. Edit the following options if they are listed:
Print Quality, set to: 300 x 300 dots per inch
Advanced Printing Features, set to: Disabled
Print Optimizations, set to: Disabled
REt (Resolution Enhancement technology) set to: REt - Off
-
Click OK. Click Apply. Click OK. Click OK.
top of page
Change the Default Printer
FileMaker Pro's default printer can be set by using the Print Setup command from the File menu from ANY FileMaker file.
-
Open FileMaker Pro. Open any file.
-
From the File menu choose Print Setup.
-
From the Name drop-down list, select your new printer. Click OK.
-
Exit from FileMaker Pro.
Note: Your new FileMaker Friendly printer will now be used when FileMaker opens. If you need to print to another printer, while in FileMaker, switch printers while at the Print dialog box.
top of page
Help FMP run without crashing
These items point to other How To's. They can help ensure that FileMaker will run without crashing.
-
Perform sections A, B, and C from How To Prevent Crashes in Financial Records 4.1.
-
IT does NOT recommend working with FileMaker Pro files that are stored in a network folder. FileMaker files should be stored LOCALLY on your Local Disk (C:). For more on this topic, see the opening Notes from How To Share FileMaker Pro Database Files on a network.
-
Verify that your DNS and WINS server settings are correct in your EN machine's "Local Area Connection" network connection. Review the steps in this How To: AG Domain DNS & WIN Network Settings.
-
Uninstall 3rd party tools and toolbars.
Example: We recommend that the GOOGLE TOOLBAR is removed from computers that make heavy use of FileMaker Pro files. It appears to interfere with FileMaker Operation. You should use the Add or Remove Programs control panel to remove the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
Top of page
Remove Network Printers and their Ports
Note: If you've gone through the first three sections and are still experiencing the winspool.drv error, the next option is to remove all existing printers and their ports. Then re-add the printers. If possible, recreate the printers one at a time, over a period of days. Attempt to determine which is causing the FileMaker winspool.drv error.
Note: You should not delete the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer, local USB printers, or any PDF Writer printers you may have. You only need to delete the "network" printers from the computer.
-
Close all open programs.
-
Click Start and choose Printers and Faxes.
-
Write down the names of the printers in the window.
Note: You will repeat steps 4 - 7 with all the printers in the window. You need to record the current IP address or port being used.
-
Right Click on a printer and choose Properties. Click the Ports tab.
-
Click the Configure Port button.
Note: If you see a message that says, "There is nothing to configure for this port.", click OK. This printer port may be setup using an LPR port. Write down what is listed in the Description column for this printer.
-
Write down the information in the Printer Name or IP address box. Click OK. Click Close.
-
Go to the next printer and records its data.
Note: You can now begin deleting printers.
-
Right Click on a printer and choose Delete. Click Yes.
-
Repeat until all but the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer, local USB, or any PDF Writer printers remain.
Note: Now that the printers are removed, you will be able to delete the ports that they used. But first, you should restart the computer.
-
Restart the computer and log back in.
-
Click Start and choose Printers and Faxes.
-
Right Click on the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer printer and choose Properties.
Note: Deleting ports is tricky. If a port is in use, you can't delete it. At the moment, the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer printer should be using a Local Port.
Note: You will not delete the Printer Port entries used by LPT1, LPT2, etc. You will not delete Serial Port entries used by COM1, COM2, etc. You do need to delete any DOT4 ports (these are USB ports). You will not delete any Adobe PDF Port or other PDF ports.
Note: You WILL remove any Standard TCP/IP ports, HP Standard TCP/IP ports, or LPR ports that were being used by the now-deleted printers. To select these ports, you will use the Up and Down Arrow keys on the keyboard.
-
Click the Up or Down arrow keys as needed to HIGHLIGHT a port to delete. Once selected, click the Delete Port button. In the warning message, click Yes.
-
Scroll to find the Local Port for the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer printer. Click once to select it again (as a starting point for the deletion process).
-
Repeat step 13 to delete a port. Then repeat step 14 to reset the process. Continue until all the needed ports are removed.
-
Click Close to close the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer properties window.
Note: Go back to Setting up a FileMaker Friendly Printer. Create a single printer. Test with your FileMaker files. They should not crash with Winspool.drv errors. Wait one or two days. Recreate your other printers. These printers may not be as "FileMaker Friendly." That's OK. As long as they are not FileMaker's default printer.
top of page
|
