Re: Task Scheduler Stopped Working

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"Jose" wrote:

On Dec 22, 8:14 am, FlyingBlind
<FlyingBl...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'll do this today. I'm away from the the afflicted machine right now, but I
can tell you when I ran the task (to start calc.exe) it did show up in the
Processes tab of the Task Manager. The log entry showed the ST as started.
Then it just ran and no more log entries were entered until I killed the task
from the Task Manager - at which point an entry in the log was made that the
process was ended (RC = 1).

I also set up the ST to have multiple start times with an execution time
limit of 1 minute (every minute it starts and then one minute later it ends).
It starts and stops (and appears in Task Manager Processes) as expected,
multiple times. The log shows each start and then stop when the execution
time limit is reached - it suggests that I revisit the execution time to
increase it.

The userid has a password (and it was supplied) but the name is different
from the logon. Of course, when setting up the task, just to test I tried to
set up a task with the login name rather than userid and I got a user not
found error (I expected this).



"Jose" wrote:
On Dec 21, 3:51 pm, FlyingBlind
<FlyingBl...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks Jose - I deleted the log file as you suggested - it's much easier to
read now, thank you.

I also implemented the task as you suggested and used the cmd.exe as the
target of the RUN field. The results are that the job shows RUNNING in the
status field, the Last Result is 0x0 and the log shows "Test.job" (cmd.exe)
Started and then the date/time stamp. That's it. It's still running, but no
command prompt window is displayed.

I tested this on another machine and indeed the command prompt window shows
up. As htere are no errors in the log, I'm not sure what else to relay.. Any
ideas?

"Jose" wrote:
On Dec 21, 10:38 am, FlyingBlind
<FlyingBl...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm having trouble with the Task Scheduler XP Professional SP 2 installed..

I had several tasks scheduled that worked for months (years even) and then
suddenly they all stopped. No new software installed - can't think of what
would make them stop working.

I checked the Task Scheduler Service - it is running. I've restarted it
several times, no change.

I deleted all of my tasks and tested with a simple batch file: The file
contains only the line "Echo Test Scheduler". When I schedule the task to
run, a CMD.EXE entry appears in the Task Manager - Processes tab, but the
window does not appear on the desktop.

I have verified that "Local System Account" and "Allow Service to Interact
with Desktop" options are both checked for the Task Scheduler Service..

I have alternately scheduled an AT command and a SCHTASKS command from the
command line - same results.

Referring to the Task Scheduler window, I scheduled my test task and when
the time arrived the task shows as RUNNING, but nothing appears. The last
result code is 0x0.

I have searched online (and this forum) but can't find any problems that are
similar. I am an experienced computer professional and can edit the registry
if needed. Does anyone have any ideas?

Plenty of ideas for people trying to get started with ST and not all
apply to you but some are general troubleshooting methods.

I would start by clearing out your log file, start with a simple task,
get it working, then test your afflicted tasks and use the log file (I
will tell you where it is) for troubleshooting. It sounds like your
task is running, but not under your account so you can't see it. The
log file will tell you what is going on.

Not so popular advice from me to troubleshoot STs:

It is strongly suggested that the task be assigned to a user that has
a password (not the Administrator), so create a new user with a
password just for tasks or add a password to your account if needed..
You can temporarily assign yourself a PW to test and worry about this
later.

If you don't use an account with a password, you will get an error
trying to create the task. It will still be created, but will not run
properly.

There is a way around this, but get this working first to be sure your
mechanism is not afflicted.

Stop the Task Scheduler service.

Delete or rename the probably cluttered ST log file which is here:

c:\windows\schedlgu.txt

Restart the Task Scheduler service to create a new log.

Browse to the c:\windows\tasks folder to see all your tasks and look
at the log file.

The Next Run Time, Last Run Time, Status and Last Results columns are
of interest. You can also click Advanced and view the log.

Choose to Add Scheduled Task. Create a new task to run Command Prompt
once, now. If you don't have a PW, you will get an error trying to
create it (more on that later). It will still be created, but will
never run. There is no need to create a batch file for this simple
test.

Right click the new Command Prompt task and choose Run and a command
window should open immediately. If not, something is wrong. If yes,
your mechanism is sound. Look in the log file to see your results.

You know how to remove the log now, so that is up to you. Be sure the
Task Scheduler service is running again.

Try to Run your new or troublesome task, observe the columns, and the
log.

If your task fails to run manually, the errors in the log file are the
clues to what to do next.
.

When you set up the ST it wants a user and preferably one with a
password.

Are the credentials you are using when you log in to XP to do your
troubleshooting the same as the credentials used to set up the ST?

I would work on figuring out why the CMD is not working the way we
think it should - it is a simple easy test and should work every
time. Get that working first, then apply your knowledge to your
afflicted task.

Your sync errors - are you doing anything with RSS feeds? This
probably has nothing to do with your ST issue, but nothing in the log
file should defy explanation. If that also needs figuring out, we
will figure it out.

Start a fresh log. Run the CMD task manually and even if you don't
see the window open and it shows running, copy/paste the log back here
for analysis. Also, when it shows running with no window, you should
see it running in Task Manager (CTRL-ALT-DEL) - is the User Name the
same as your Login name?
.

Sounds like it is working fine.

If you are still having trouble with your specific task, post up the
Run line specific to your task.
.


I agree it does sound like the actual kicking off of the task appears to be
working - any idea what would cause the window to not render? As there is no
listing for the running task in the Task Manager Applications tab (only in
the processes tab) I can't get to the application that's executing.

I'll verify what I posted this morning later today when I get access to the
machine.

BTW - when you say run line, you want the command line text that I'm
entering right?
.

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