I am working with a Windows 2003 Server, as the PDC with active
directory. There are 2 workstations that are Windows 2000.  Both
workstations have printers attached to them. Both are connecting to
the shared printers on the server and other PCs. The two printers
connected to the win 2k PC's are a monolta Di351 and a hp laserjet
1200 series printer.

These Printers were loaded and printing fine a month ago.  I am unsure
what has changed to cause this issue. Something must have though for
two workstations to just stop allowing access to themselves, or gain
access to other printers.

I am unable to access Printers either going either way.  Even when I
am logged in as the administrator, and have given specific access to
the printers in the security tab.

Looking at the Printers in the Printers and Faxes window the status indicates:
"Access Denied, Unable to connect"

The error messages I receive from the printers are:
(1)"Printer Properties cannot be displayed. Operation could not be completed."
(2)"Operation could not complete. The Print Spooler service is not running."

Right clicking and selecting properties gives me error (1).
Printing to the printer gives me an "Access is denied" error message,
and nothing is printed out.

Error (2) happens only the first time I try to connect to the printers.

I have looked in the MS kbase and have found many possible solutions
but so far none have worked.  I have also serched Google and come up
with some other solutions, again none of them have worked.

Please feel free to ask more questions. 
I hope I have given you enough information to solve this issue.
Thank you.

The matter may be caused by that the printer spool service is stopped.
In control pannel->management tool->service,
U may try to start the service.

Actually I had tried that already. Sorry I should have mentioned it
after error #2.  Thank you though.

Can u access the Local printer? If just the network printer was
blocked, u may check if the winlogon service starts. From my
experience, the matter is caused by some service stopped.

Well thank you anyone who has looked into this issue for me.  It
appeared to be an issue with the permissions under Active Directory. 
Under Users and computers fo AD I had to turn on the view users as
vessels checkmark and then I was able to change the security settings
on each printer.

I have no idea who changed it in the first place.  

Thanks again.