How to Clear the Print Buffer on an HP Laserjet 1200

By Lee Nichols

Hewlett Packard's LaserJet 1200 is a network capable, laser printer that is compatible with Windows 98, NT, 2000 and XP. It has 8 MB internal memory, a 250-sheet paper tray and is capable of printing 15 pages per minute at 1,200 dots per inch (dpi). The LaserJet 1200 may develop communication problems with your computer, which leaves some documents in the printer's buffer unable to print. The buffer stores your print jobs, letting you add jobs before the printer finishes printing your first document. Problems occur, then the buffer does not clear when you cancel a request.

Cancel From the Print Queue

Click "Start," "Settings," "Printers" to open the print queue for your LaserJet 1200.

Click "Printer" in the menu bar and choose "Cancel All Documents."

Click "Yes" when the dialog box asks if you wish to cancel the print jobs.

Stop the Spool

Open Notepad by clicking "Start," "Run" and typing "notepad" in the text box. Click "OK."

Paste the following into the Notepad document by highlighting the text and selecting "Copy" after clicking your right mouse button:

net stop spooler

del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers*.shd

del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers*.spl

net start spooler

Click the Notepad document with your right mouse button and select "Paste."

Save the file using "C:\DeletePrintJobs.cmd" as the file name.

Click "Start," "Run" and type "C:\DeletePrintJobs.cmd" in the text box.

Click "OK."

×