You're trying to delete a network printer from Windows XP's Printers
and Faxes control panel applet. The network printer cannot be
contacted, for whatever reason and XP continuously says "deleting"
under the printer icon. Rebooting does not fix the problem.
Cause:
(suspected): XP needs to connect to the printer before it can delete
it. As the printer cannot be contacted, the delete request never
completes.
Solution:
Empty the print spool directory:
net stop spooler
del /F %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*
net start spooler
Refreshing the Printers and Faxes window will cause the deleted
printer to disappear.
Notes:
1. Ensure no print jobs for other printers are waiting to be printed
before proceeding.
2. Check that all files are actually deleted from the spool
directory, before restarting the spooler service.
