JSI Tip 10337. You receive Error 1075 when you attempt to start the Print Spooler service on Windows XP?

When you attempt to start the Print Spooler service on Windows XP, you receive:

Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer. Error 1075: The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion.

When this occurs, your System event log records an event similar to:

Event Type: ErrorEvent Source: Service Control ManagerEvent Category: None Event ID: 7003 Date: MM/DD/YYYYTime: HH:MN:SSUser: N/A Computer: Description: The Print Spooler service depends on the following nonexistent service: For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

This behavior will occur if a printer or fax adds itself to the Print Spoolers DependOnService Value Name during installation, and the printer or fax is removed, or incorrectly uninstalled, leaving the dependency, which is now a "nonexistent service".

NOTE: To determine if any other service is dependent on the nonexistent service, open a CMD.EXE window and run:

FOR /F "TOKENS=*" %s in ('DependOnService ') do @echo %s

To resolve this problem:

1. Use Regedit.exe to navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesSpooler key.

2. Right-click the DependOnService Value Name and press Modify.

3. Click in the Value data area of the Edit Multi-String dialog to turn off the selection (highlighting).

4. Delete the line. This normally leaves just the RPCSS line, but you may of other services listed.

5. Press OK and close Regedit.exe.

6. Shutdown and restart Windows XP.