Common Scheduler Service Issues
Last Updated: 27 Jul 2004
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***
The most common problems encountered when using the NT
Scheduler service are Invalid Account and Permissions,
and incorrect syntax.
Rather than trying to schedule complex commands on a
single line, you should put the commands into a batch
file, and schedule the batch file. Much easier to
avoid syntax problems this way.
If your scheduled job is supposed to handle anything
involving a network resource, you need to ensure that
the SCHEDULER service is using a domain account with
adequate permissions to access the remote resource.
The default account, SYSTEM, does not have the
necessary access to network resources.
Here are some solutions to these issues:
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/14832/windowsnt20002003faq_14832.html
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/14544/windowsnt20002003faq_14544.html
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/14855/windowsnt20002003faq_14855.html
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/13436/windowsnt20002003faq_13436.html
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=142432
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=131229
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=237840
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=132679
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=308558
TROUBLESHOOTING
One way to test that your scripts will run properly when
scheduled, is to do the following:
1: Using the SOON command from the ResKit, schedule a
CMD window to execute:
SOON 30 /INTERACTIVE CMD
2: Once that window opens up, you will have a command
console that is running in the same context that
your intended script will be running. Execute the
commands you want to schedule and correct any errors.
3: If you're running batch files, sprinkle them with
PAUSE statements and make sure everything echos to the
console so that you can idenify any problems
4: Your scheduled job should now run properly.
THIRD PARTY SCHEDULERS
• http://www.gibinsoft.com/
• http://www.americansys.com/ezscheduler.htm
• http://www.hiteksoftware.com/
• http://www.tomasello.com/software/wincron/
• http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=scheduler&tg=dl-2001
• http://www.liebsoft.com/index.cfm/products/tsp
PERSONAL NOTES
• Always ensure that the Schedule account has the proper
level of User Rights
• If you're trying to connect to remote resources, then
use UNC names, or map your drives in the scheduled job.
• Under XP and 2003, use the SCHTASKS command.
