spectrum48k

I have a DOS batch file which has previously run without problems on Win2000 Server, SP4

In fact I can manually run the program every time.

Recently this has not been running on the task scheduler (its timed to run daily at 8.30pm)

Any reason why this could be happening ? When I check the log, it attempts to run and fails straight away with an exit code of "f"

Any ideas what I can check ?

ADDED:
When searching around I noticed another person experiencing the exact same problem herE:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Oper..._21752807.html

...I wonder if there's been something introduced recently in a windows update thats interfered ?

smike

Not sure about the error code, but it is probably due to a changed password.
Look at the properties of the task and spot the Run As. Use the set password button to specify the current password.

To prevent this becoming a recurring problem you can use a local user account to run the task. Create the local user with the 'password never expires' box ticked.

spectrum48k

to check if it was a password problem I attempted to schedule the task, this time as the admin for the domain and it STILL didn't work

smike

Good info in that link. So you have eliminated the good old changed password problem.

Just remembered that the error codes in the log are actually reported from the application or batch file you have scheduled. Try putting a pause at the end of the batch file and run it manually. Does that show anything unusual?

spectrum48k

Will try the pause thing.

Assuming I can't fix this - is there any alternative (free) that I can use instead of task scheduler to automate / schedule this batch file ?

smike

I used to use a scheduler called Poltergeist (google for "poltergeist scheduler") but it looks like the problem is with the batch file. I'm quite good with batch files and would be happy to work through this problem with you.

I will PM my contact details to you...

spectrum48k

Definitely not the batch file as no matter what I submit to task manager doesn't work.

I took your advice and created a dead simple little batch file and that didn't work either. Task scheduler indicates "running" as the status, but no batch file is run.

Tried to schedule a simple MS Backup, but that didn't work either.

Note, these tasks have run without problem for 12 months at least. No passwords have changed either. Task scheduler just seems to have been corrupted. I'm wondering if anyone knows about this problem ?

Alongside the Win2k Server we have a Win2k3 Server where the tasks run perfectly.

doobiedoo

maybe a studpid question but is the "Task Scheduler" service started? Not the task but the actual Windows Service?

If so, what user account is it running as?

spectrum48k

yes, the service is started and using localsystem acount with access to desktop

smike

On my Win2000 SP4 servers I see in the service properties that the service is dependent on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service. Is yours like that and is RPC started?

Try creating a new local user with admin rights and run with that.

Next thing to try would be replacing c:\winnt\system32\mstask.exe in case it is corrupt. Running "sfc /scannow" will usually do this but it might have to be done manually (stop the service, replace the file, then cancel the Windows File Protection dialog that pops up).

If you don't have another Win2000 server to get mstask.exe from I can email it to you. I'm running Win2000 SP4, my file size is 122,128 bytes and the file version is 4.71.2195.6972

Next thing to try would be reinstalling SP4.

If you get to this point I would give up and use a different scheduler!

spectrum48k

Thanks smike

I have reached the stage where I want to download an alternative task scheduler. Will check out Poltergeist as mentioned above. Hope it runs as a service ?