Vista - On SBS03, works as app but not as service

Trying to get FolderShare build 14.0.1383.0530 to run as a service on SBS
2003. First I got it running and synchronizing with another computer. Then I
tried to get it to run as a service, following instructions at mutiple sites,
all of which pretty much say the same thing:

http://www.dscoduc.com/post/2008/02/...a-service.aspx
http://mswhs.freeforums.org/updated-...-whs-t480.html
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=197
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q137890/

I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. FolderShare runs fine when I run it
interactively -- it remembers my credentials and takes me to the FolderShare
home page -- but when I run it as a service, the foldershare.exe program
appears in the task manager but the machine always shows up from the
foldershare web site as being offline.

Also, I don't know if the FolderShare program icon is supposed to appear in
the notification area when the program runs as a service, but in my case it's
not. It does appear when I run it as an application.

I'm pretty sure it's an authentication problem, since the .exe is launching
fine. I've tried everything I can think of to move the settings from the
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator to C:\Documents and Settings\Default
User. I even tried configuring the service to run as Administrator instead of
as Local System.

Can someone help me interpret my log files so I can figure out where the
problem is? Any other suggestions?

David

Although it can be made to work as a service, I find it quicker and easier to
run it as a scheduled task under SBS2003. You can set it to run at startup or
whatever schedule you like.

An even better solution is to run it at set periods everyday (say 07:00 for
16 hours), but stopped during the time you run backup. This way, you don't
have all the issue with backing up "locked files".

Avoid running it under the same account you administer (login to) SBS with.
If you do, it will stop running everytime you logout.

--
Barry




"David Schrag" wrote:

Thanks, Barry. Some follow-up questions:

- Why would the program stop running if it runs as administrator and the
administrator logs off? Is that true even if the "run only if logged on"
option is unchecked?
- If you must use a separate account for running FolderShare, what is
necessary to associate the FolderShare credentials with this dedicated admin
account? Do you log into the server with this new account and then copy the
settings folder contents from the Administrator's docs and settings folder?
- Is the backing up of locked files really a problem if you are using
VSS-aware b/u software?
- To achieve the "run all day" schedule you are talking about, do you create
a repeating schedule through the advanced settings of the Schedule tab, or do
you use the "Stop the task if it runs for [16] hours" option on the Settings
tab?
- Why is all this better than having it run as a service?

Thanks for the input.

"Barry" wrote:

David,

I can only answer based upon my experience of using FS on SBS. I can't
answer from the point-of-view of what FS *should* do!

"David Schrag" wrote:
From experience, this is simply what happens. It appears (and I could be
wrong) that FS ties itself into the desktop session. When the associated
session goes away, FS goes with it.
I setup FS from the account that I run it from. That account has to have
enough privilege to get at the folders being shared.

In practise this just means giving a second account permission to log into
the server. Setting up FS from there and then setting it to run as scheduled
task.
Possibly not. I have also used FS in a network with Windows Home Server
backup and it is a problem there.
I've used both the "stop the task" option and a scheduled kill. Both seem to
work.
Because you don't need to mess around with the registry or resource kit
tools to get it going. You also have the flexibility to control when it's
run, how long for etc.

After all - you were the one who asked for help in getting the service going
I'm just suggesting an easier way!

FWIW I've used the scheduled task technique for Foldershare in SBS2003, WHS,
Vista and XP and they all share perfectly.

Now if only I could get it to work reliably with multiple FS accounts.....

Cheers,

Barry