vb.net windows service

[Guest]

I have a windows service which instantiates the Powerpoint Application using
PIA. When I am running this windows service am not able to open the Microsoft
powerpoint application. This problem happens in XP and win 2000, Where as the
same works fine in win 2003 server. Any suggestions to make this work in XP
and Win 2000.

 

[Guest]

Actually launching a desktop application from a windows service is very bad
thing. A service actually runs even when a user is not logged in and when no
desktop is available.

If you still want to try, see if setting the allow interact with Desktop
setting helps.

 

[Phill. W]

I have a windows service which instantiates the Powerpoint
Application using PIA

Question #1 - why?
Services are intended to run unattended, even when no-one is logged
onto the machine. PowerPoint is, primarily, a desktop application
and may not even run under those conditions.

When I am running this windows service am not able to open the
Microsoft powerpoint application.

Could be a permissions problem, could just be that powerpoint
just doesn't like running without a desktop on which to display itself.

This problem happens in XP and win 2000, whereas the same
works fine in win 2003 server.

Now /that/ sounds like a configuration difference - on the '2003
server, can your service "interact" with the Desktop? That's the
most likely difference.

HTH,
Phill W.

 

[Guest]

Question #1 - why?
Services are intended to run unattended, even when no-one is logged
onto the machine. PowerPoint is, primarily, a desktop application
and may not even run under those conditions.

This windows service keeps checking a particular folder( folder path read
from a config file) for ppt files. When it finds a ppt file it opens the file
using powerpoint instance and extracts the data and create a XML file. For
this reason(unattendedly checking for files and processing it) This happens
perfectly. But while this is happening when a user manually opens powerpoint
to create powerpoint files the powerpoint application opens in win 2003
server and not in win 2000 and XP.

Could be a permissions problem, could just be that powerpoint
just doesn't like running without a desktop on which to display itself.

Yes it seems to be permission related problem when I run the service
using Local System account the user is able to open Powerpoint application
even in win 2000 and XP.
But I have installed the service with a specific account and in case of a
specific account it is not allowing the user to open powerpoint application.
Where in win 2003 allows the user to open powerpoint application when the
service is installed for a specific account.

Now /that/ sounds like a configuration difference - on the '2003
server, can your service "interact" with the Desktop? That's the
most likely difference.

Interact with the desktop option is only enabled for Local System Account.