hiteksoftware.com

[Robert]

Here is some information to be aware of while using NT service:

1) There are 2 separate programs:
a) user interface which you use to configure tasks/schedules and other settings.
b) engine which runs in the background and runs all the tasks/schedules.

2) You can start the engine from the User Interface (desktop context) or from the Service Control manager (service context). In Service context, the engine will automatically startup on system startup/reboot. The engine started in service context will not shutdown when you log off. The engine context (desktop or service) makes a big difference in access to network resources etc..

3) In Service setup (service control manager / Service properties / Logon tab), you should use the same user account that you normally logon with. Otherwise you may not have the same access to folders, network drives etc from your tasks. Normally this shows up as invalid directory messages.

4) You should always use UNC conventions for all your folder paths in your tasks, i.e.
use
\\server_name\share_name\folder
rather than
S:\drive\folder..

5) When you start or stop the Service from service control manager, and the user interface is open, the user interface Engine status button (green/red sphere) is not automatically updated. To check the engine status and information either:
a) check the activity log
b) engine menu / engine status menu

6) If you stop the service from service control manager, the engine stops immediately and does not start again.

7) If the service is running, and you shut down the engine from the user interface, the service will start the engine again in service context within the service time period setting (available in NT service module front panel).

8 ) If the service is running, and you shut down and restart the engine immediately from the user interface, the engine will start in desktop context (not service context).

9) If the service is running, and you shut down and restart the engine immediately from user interface, the engine will start in desktop context. However, if you logoff, the engine that is started in desktop context will shut down. The Service will restart the engine in Service context within the service time period setting.

10) To confirm that your NT service is working correctly do the following:
a) create a simple echo task (Tasks menu / Misc menu)
b) Schedule the echo task to run every 1 minute
c) Shut down the engine from the user interface
d) Shut down the user interface
e) Start or Restart the service from service control manager
f) OPTIONAL: logoff and log back on 2-3 minutes later..
g) Start user interface and verify that echo task has been running every minute.

11) How to determine if issue is service permissions related, or UNC path is entered incorrectly?
a) Shut down and IMMEDIATELY restart engine from user interface (i.e. engine is now running in desktop context)
b) test the task with your UNC path in it.
c) If the task gives an invalid folder/path/directory message, then you have not entered the UNC path correctly