WinSpool/400 Electronic Forms Print Server freezes during conversion

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Contents 1 Problem: 2 Solution: 3 Solutions 4 Diagnostics

Problem:

The WinSpool/400 Electronic Forms is locking up or freezing during processing. (Windows 2003 R2)

Solution:

The short answer is that this issue is due to side effects of the Windows Indexing Service. NOTE: Details on diagnosing the issue can be found below - they can be used to verify the issue.

Solutions

You will have to choose the best resolution for your environment:

1. Move the WinSpool/400 Electronic Forms Print Server to a new PC.
2. Turn off the Indexing Service (could be required for active directory)

You can choose which solution will work for you based upon how you are planning to use the server.

To turn off the Indexing Service

• In Control Panel
  • Select Add / Remove Programs
    • Select Add / Remove Windows Components
      • Uncheck the Indexing Service

Diagnostics

Here is how this issue was diagnosed:

Check the following: Go to the "Printers and Faxes" and locate the "FormDocs Utility. The FormDocs Utility should be in an error state if error occured during the PDF Creation (Export to PDF).

If the printer is NOT in an error state: Further diagnosis will be required...

If the printer is in an error state:

1. Check the PDF temporary file for to see if it is being locked by a process. This file is the "REPORT.PDF" files that can be located in the WSPEFORM directory. Easy testing method: Attempt to delete this temporary file.
2. Assuming that this is not successful, we need to release this PDF in order to continue using the Print Server. This can be done one of two ways:
   1. Reboot - this is not always an option for some customers.
   2. Kill the process that is holding this file, or the handle within the process.
3. To kill the Report.PDF handle within the unknown process, we can use a product called Process Explorer.
   1. With this application, simply run a FIND on "Report .PDF".
   2. Double-click on the returned results to change the focus to that exact handle
      1. NOTE: this will add a new pane to the window
      2. NOTE: the path to the file should point to the WSPEFORM directory
   3. Note what process is holding this file... "CIDAEMON.EXE" is the Windows Indexing Service mentioned in the Solution.
   4. Right-click and select "Close handle"
4. Exit and restart the Print Server. It should work perfectly for a while. Issue will return unless one of the solutions listed above are used.
5. Remove Process Explorer from PC.