Question

Windows XP Schedule Service will not start MS Access ...

Asked by: MarketGarden

I am attempting to automatically update the tables in an Access database by automating the running of an Access macro using Access command line options and the Windows XP Schedule Service.  I have the following command in a MSDOS bat file:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE" "E:\Groups\Tangible\DataBases\TIMS.mdb" /x "Daily_Update_2"

The "E" drive is a mapped drive to one of our Windows 2000 Servers.  I can run the above bat file manually and Access starts and runs the Macro successfully.  However, the XP Schedule service will not run this bat file.  The problem I am having is identical to what was described in an earlier posting:  http://www.experts-exchange.com/Databases/MS_Access/Q_21086444.html .

Microsoft says that what I am doing is supported (See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/230575/EN-US/ ).  Any suggestions why the Schedule Service appears to refuse to start MS Access.

Version of Windows:  Windows XP, Service Pack 2
Version of Office:  Microsoft Office 2002 with Service Pack 3

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Asked On
2005-06-03 at 07:32:19ID21445917
Tags

problem

,

schedule

Topic

Microsoft Access Database

Participating Experts
2
Points
250
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: ArjiPosted on 2005-06-03 at 07:39:22ID: 14140067

Just a shot in the dark.  You may want to try using a UNC instead of the drive letter:

\\yourserver\Groups\Tangible\DataBases\TIMS.mdb" /x "Daily_Update_2"

The actual string would depend on what path you have mapped to drive E.  the above is just a sample of UNC.

 

by: MarketGardenPosted on 2005-06-03 at 08:20:17ID: 14140513

I replaced the mapped drive letter of E: with the UNC of \\myservername but the Scheduler would still not start Access.  Any other ideas?

 

by: omgangPosted on 2005-06-03 at 09:01:12ID: 14140958

I just tried it on a Win2k machine and it works fine.  I'll see if I can get a chance to try it on an XP machine shortly.

my batch
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE" "P:\Furnapp2k.mdb" /x auto_test

The only difference is no quotes around the macro name.  The batch file is on a network drive mapped with a drive letter - not using UNC path.

OM Gang

 

by: omgangPosted on 2005-06-03 at 09:11:13ID: 14141065

KB article
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;329769

describes the behavior although it shouldn't happen on an SP2 machine - try restarting the Task Scheduler service to see if that resolves the issue.

Also, does the Task Scheduler log file show anything?
OM Gang

 

by: MarketGardenPosted on 2005-06-03 at 10:10:08ID: 14141558

I originally had the Task set for 4:00 am.  There were entries in the Task Scheduler log for the 4:00 am jobs.  All what was said was that the job completed with a completion code of 0 (Zero).  However, the tables did not get updated so the job did not run.  For the tasks I tried to run during the past few hours, no entries were added to the log so its like the Task Scheduler does not no the Task is there at all.  

I looked at the MS KB article http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;329769 .  All of the dates refered to in this KB are 2002.  All of my file dates on my machine are 2004.  So, I guess I should have the fix they are referring to.  Since it looks like Win XP has had some problems in the past with the Schedule Service on XP, I am now (1:10 pm, EST) going to try running the Task on a XP machine that was recently rebuilt and see if I can get the Task Scheduler to run this Access job there.  On my current machine, I will also try and see if the Scheduler will run any task.  Later.

 

by: MarketGardenPosted on 2005-06-03 at 10:49:24ID: 14141865

Results of my tests:

On my original XP machine, the Scheduler will at least run a simple bat file (e.g. bat file where I am just echoing out the date and time to a log file).   This machine, however, will not start Access from the Scheduler.

On a second XP machine that was recently rebuilt, the Task Scheduler did successfully start MS Access and run my Macro.

Anyone have any suggesstions?  Try replying XP Service Pack 2 and additional updates to my original machine or should I just rebuild this machine?

 

by: omgangPosted on 2005-06-03 at 11:05:54ID: 14141971

I wish I could tell you which way to proceed.  I think that question may be better in the OS forum.  In general, I try to look at how much time each direction will take - if there isn't a lot of software and data to back up/reinstall, maybe a rebuild is quicker.  Good luck.
OM Gang

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