Windows Service won't start because no work to do

[Guest]

I have defined a Windows service and set its Startup Type to Automatic. When
I attempt to start the service, I get the following message: "The XXXXX
service on Local Computer started and then stopped. Some services stop
automatically if they have no work to do, for example, the Performance Logs
and Alerts service." The on-line help indicates that "Automatic" means that
the service starts automatically when the OS is booted. If I look at the
current status of the service, it is "stopped". My question is: Will the
service automatically start when "there is work to do?"

Windows XP SP2

Bob Boller
Chelsea Computer Systems

 

[Wesley Vogel]

My question is: Will the service automatically start when "there is work

to do?"

"automatic" (that is, they start automatically when the system starts or
when the service is called for the first time).

Service Startup States

<quote>
A service has 3 basic startup states:

Disabled: The service will not be loaded (Some programs stop working, won't
take memory, and quick boot time)

Manual: The service will be loaded on demand (Slow program start, won't take
memory, and quick boot time)

Automatic: The service is loaded at boot time (Fast program start, will take
memory, and slow boot time)
<quote>
from...
Windows XP, 2000, NT4 Services Guide
http://smallvoid.com/tweak/winnt/services.html

<quote>
If you have a typical installation, many services are configured as
"automatic" (that is, they start automatically when the system starts or
when the service is called for the first time). If a service is configured
as "manual," you must start the service manually before it can be loaded by
the operating system and made available for use. If a service is configured
as "disabled," it cannot be started automatically or manually.
<quote>
from...
Default settings for services
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../en-us/sys_srv_default_settings.mspx?mfr=true

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

My question is: Will the
service automatically start when "there is work to do?"

No. A service has to be running for it to respond to requests. Another
program can start the service, which is the same as you doing so manually.
But if it isn't running, it won't start of its own accord.

-Of course, it's perfectly possible to have a service which is started by
another program or service, and which terminates once the assigned job is
done. Print-spooling might be an example of such.


Typing Net Start <service name> at a command prompt should start the
service, or might give more information about why it won't start.