'The RPC server is unavailable'. Concerning printing on shared computer.

[dadams312]

When trying to print something from my laptop (Vista) to the printer hooked up to my desktop (XP). Was working fine 2 days ago, but went to print something today and got the error message 'The RPC server is unavailable'.

Printer is shared, shows up on the laptop as being available, but won't print.

All the appropriate RPC services are started or automatic.

 

[Xsorovan]

I HATE to ask this question, but I am going to because you didn't mention it, BUT have you restarted both computers? (Please don't stone me for asking...)

The links below are not really for the versions of windows you are running but it might give you some ideas. (As I don't know anything about your setup)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884564
http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;242079
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282833/en-us

 

[dadams312]

Yes, both computers were restarted after I checked to make sure the services were running. Printer works and prints fine from the desktop.

What do you need to know about the set up?

 

[RebateMonger]

Make sure you can resolve the desktop PC by name. I've seen this problem when a Domain Controller went down, losing DNS for an office.

 

[Xsorovan]

RebateMonger sounds like he has a good idea. from the Vista machine make sure you can ping the XP machine by name as well as by IP.

Another suggestion I might try is un-sharing the printer on XP, rebooting the machine, and then resharing it with a different name and see how Vista responds when you try to add it as a "new" printer. Also check the event log if it won't let you add the printer and see if you can't nail down a more specific error.

 

[dadams312]

I can ping it by name and IP. I can also access any shared files on both machines.

I will try redoing it all again, then rebooting and see if that does me any good.

 

[RebateMonger]

Check out the Print Spooler service on the Print Server. Make sure it's running.

 

[dadams312]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Check out the Print Spooler service on the Print Server. Make sure it's running.

It's running.

I've tried everything I can think of, everything mentioned here. Even uninstalled the printer/drivers and reinstalled...still not able to print from the laptop.

 

[RebateMonger]

How about firewalls? RPC communications are over TCP Port 135. Make sure that the printserver's TCP 135 port is open for inbound packets.

"Telnet printservername 135" will tell you if TCP Port 135 is making it to your print server

 

[Xsorovan]

Did renaming and trying to reinstall them work? I must have missed that or didn't hear back on that. Along the idea of RebateMonger's idea is to check the Firewall in windows XP/Vista. Make sure that port 135 is on the allowed list. If not add it. (Or that "file and print sharing" is selected.)

BTW: Did you happen to get Vista SP1 installed or run an update that perhaps suddenly made these stop working?