The task scheduler service does not exist following a fresh install of 2003 Server R2 Standard Edition

I noticed from that question you ref that there was a suggestion regarding AV/Spyware.  Before I assume incorrectly, have you eliminated that as a possibility?

Did you get any errors during the install or see anything (warnings/errors) in event viewer when you try to run the AT command?

Also, make sure you run:  net start "task scheduler" at the command prompt.

If you have access to PSTools, download and run pslist on that server.

PSTools > http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896649.aspx
Command to run:  c:\<path to pstools>\:> psservice > services.txt

Check the services.txt file for all running services to see what is/isn't running.

Samiam,
     Thank you for responding so quickly. This problem showed itself prior to the server touching the network following a fresh install of the OS. I have not installed any tools to check for AV/Spyware, but would be willing to if you had a suggestion.

     I unfortunately do not receive any event viewer logs when I run the AT command or double click on the phantom icon in control panel. If I try to "schedule" a backup using Windows Backup I receive the following error:

"The Task Scheduler service is not running. You canot schedule a backup task until you start the Task Scheduler using System Services Management. Do you want to start the Task Scheduler now?"

After clicking Yes I receive "The Task Scheduler service did not start".

Nothing logs in the event viewer.

Thanks again!

I ran net start "task scheduler" and got the following:


C:\>net start "task scheduler"
The service name is invalid.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2185.

I know that the Task Scheduler service is dependant on the RPC service.  Is that running?

Here is the log produced by psservice. I could not find a reference to task scheduler. Thanks!
services.txt

Yes the RPC service is started

On a side note...this appears to have affected Internet Explorer as well as it does not function normally. I don't know if that helps anything. Some other things I have tried is re-applying SP2, installing IE7, uninstalling IE7, repairing IE, and running sfc /scannow.

If you have access to another Windows 2003 Server, you can export the HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Schedule from it and import into this server.

Before doing so, see if that registry key is on the "bad" server.

I can post that registry file for you if you need it.  Not sure how many Windows 2003 servers you have running there.  :- )

We have a great deal of servers running here so I will be able to grab it. Looking into it now.

Perfect.  Let me know of any updates!

Ok so it was not there when I navigated to it on the bad server. I exported from a like server and imported it in. I am assuming that I will need to reboot the server before any result is realized. That may take a little while as its a production server.

You know, I wonder if it would take a reboot.  See if you can start the service from the command line again.

At least it wasn't on the bad server.  Maybe a good sign?

It says the service name is invalid still. I just spoke to the director on site and he says I can have at it at 1pm EST. So I will give her a reboot then.

I am hoping so! Would be nice to mark this resolved on my very long list of things to get fixed LOL

I know what you mean bro.  Seems like it never ends.  I am testing this out on a test server here to see what you should encounter once you do the reboot and if there is another way to get that started without requiring a reboot.  If not, I will be available this afternoon.

Very cool. I do appreciate your help on this. Technically if this resolves...its probably going to be worth 1000 points as the previous question was never really resolved...   :)

What was the previous question?  Wasn't it ->  How can I get this working?

Yup. I linked it in the subject but here it is: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23792817/Task-Scheduler-Service-Doesn't-Exist.html

He gave me points on it, but I don't think I deserved them as there was no resolution...

Gotcha.  If we can get this resolved, I'm sure it will be worth every bit of 2k.  

:- )

Alright so I rebooted the server and this is what I got.

1. Service failed to start error upon bootup.
2. Event log is attached.
3. When trying to start from command line I got the following:

C:\>net start "task scheduler"
The Task Scheduler service is starting.
The Task Scheduler service could not be started.

A system error has occurred.

System error 2 has occurred.

The system cannot find the file specified.
eventlog.JPG

Good.  Progress.  Alright, let me see what "file" it's looking for.

Verify that you have this file on that server:

schtasks in the c:\windows\system32 folder

I do see a schtasks.exe file in the C:\windows\system32 folder.

Also, check for mstask.dll in the same directory as schtasks.exe

Look through the services.msc and see if you can find the task scheduler service.  Verify it is on and has the path to executable as => C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

You may also want to run and repost the psservice.txt file.  

Alright. Sorry for the delay but I got called into a meeting.

1. mstask.dll is in the same directory as schtasks.exe
2. I can now find the task scheduler service under services.msc (could not before), but it is not started. The path to executable is as shown above. However, when I go to properties to view the path I get the following error: "Configuration Manager: The specified device instance handle does not correspond to a present device."

Attached is the services file from ppservice.

Thanks!
services.ver2.txt

This article does appear to apply. There is a Legacy_Schedule on another server but not on the broken one. However, it will not let me import the key.

This article that is: http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-1712912.php

Cancel that...Once I provided permissions it went in fine. However, all this got rid of was the error in getting the properties for the service. The original error 2 still remains. Thanks!

Have you installed SP2 for your server?

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc773361.aspx

I noticed this article on MS.

Before you do any of the other, make sure the mstask.dll is registered.

From Start > Run:

regsvr32 /u mstask.dll          <---Unregister
regsvr32 mstask.dll              <---Register

Ok both of the regsvr32's said that it was not registered. Doesn't sound like mstask.dll is loaded. I did in fact SP2 the server on two occasions. I will look into the AV in the morning. Thank's for your continued help on this!

I thought about this last night.  

Rename the mstask.dll to mstask.dll.old (make sure you unregister the dll before renaming it) and schtask.exe to schtask.exe.old.  From one of your servers that does have TS (Task Scheduler) working, copy over the mstask.dll and schtask.exe to the bad server.  Register it and try running it again.  I know there is something else that needs to be done and I am testing it some more this morning but let me know how that does.

Alright. I attempted to unregister it using regsvr32 /u mstask.dll and it gave this error:

"mstask.dll was loaded, but the DllRegisterServer entry point was not found. This file can not be registered."

I renamed it anyway, but as soon as I did it came back.

I was able to rename schtasks.exe and replace it with a known good one, but when I tried to replace mstask.dll with a known good one it said it was in use.

Samiam,
     Any fresh ideas? I am starting to think I should just do a rebuild.

I just wanted to bump this quick for any others opinions. I am currently building a new server with the exact same image that I used on this server to see if it causes the same issue. If it does it could be said that the image provided by Microsoft is causing the problem.

Sorry for the delay.  We are renovating our building (6 floors) and I am trying to manage the data and voice wiring while balancing system functionality.

Anyhow, if you have the time to build a new server, have at it.  Maybe even build the image using a virtual server and see what results you get.  I have been trying to think of a way to get that dll file from re-registering itself.  Once you unregister it, can you copy the new one over then?

When you say "image", did you make an image and push it back to the server or did you use a recovery/restore CD to install it?  I hear "image" a lot and want to clarify.

As for "bumping" the topic, it doesn't work quite the same way.  The best bet is to either finish the question out or delete it and start over.  I would bet that most other engineers would recommend blowing away the server and starting over if you are having these kinds of wierd errors (task scheduler not working, IE7 being installed/uninstalled a few times, etc...)  

Samiam,
     Thanks for the response! I wasn't really sure how things worked here as its my first official question. Most of the time I just troll for the plethora of information. I am most likely going to go with the rebuild, but always try to fix things first. When I reference "image" I mean the CD image that I downloaded from Microsoft under our Volume License Agreement to install at this site. Thanks again and good luck with the renovation! I imagine that can be a bear to manage!

Glad I got a chance to work with you.  Too bad TS couldn't be fixed with any solution but it was great that you stuck with the question and updated it accordingly.

If reinstalling the OS fixes the problem, please accept the post I mentioned about 10-12 in so that others know it's better to go with a rebuild.

Comment #  22815990

Given the time and cost required to continue troubleshooting this we have decided to simply rebuild the server. We utilized the same image on a new server and it worked fine so we are still unsure what caused this. I am accepting this solution as it was the only solution available to us and it is what we have done. Thank you samiam!

Thanks for the points and grade.  Take care!!