Windows Services Problem

By: Gordon Tatler
Submitted: 2007-01-17 15:53:53
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Came across a very strange problem the other day.

I installed a program which relied on a windows system service being run. Every time I re-booted my PC or tried to run the program I receives a message that the service could not run on the local machine. On trying to start the service manually I was again informed of the error.

Despite diligently searching Microsoft's web site for over 2 hours, I was unable to find a resolution of my problem.

Now I am a member of several forums on the Internet, and I quickly posted a plea on them. I received several suggestions, all of which I tried without success.

Finally I received a suggestion from Dean on the Etomite forum. He remembered a similar problem and eventually found that there was a file in his root (C:/) folder called "Program". After deleting that file his system services resumed normal operation.

A quick check revealed no such file. However, some days later I had occasion to check another folder for a hidden system file, and it struck me that the rogue file might also have these attributes set. On checking the root folder and showing hidden and system files, lo and behold, there it was. The file was of zero bytes length but it certainly affected my system as, once deleted, all services resumed as normal and my new program functioned correctly.

Now just where this file came from I cannot imagine. Despite my system being behind a firewall, with full anti virus checking, with adware, spyware and anti Trojan programs running it appears that I must have picked up "something" from the Internet

Just goes to show. You can't be too careful.

http://www.gbtamc.co.uk/blog/archives/2006/05/entry_18.html

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Software category

  • "Black Hat Search Engine Optimization Techniques" - a risky job. - By: McRaaN Systems
    Black Hat Search Engine Optimization are those SEO techniques which are deemed to be clever, sneaky, deceptive, underhand and even dishonest and generally practices that are not endorsed by the search engines or to break search engine guidelines, such as ..
  • DRM Advantages - By: Alice Pierce
    Every technology is assessed on the basis of the advantages it provides. DRM provides advantages not only for the owners, but also for the providers as well as the end users.
  • The DRM controversies - By: Alice Pierce
    Invention of new technologies has always been connected with some controversies or other. DRM has been no exception to this common rule though most of the controversies are based on assumptions only.
  • Legal aspects of DRM use - By: Alice Pierce
    Legal aspects of DRM use and violations are closely related to copyright violations. Not only in United States and Europe but throughout the world there is conscious efforts to standardize the laws relating to DRM.
  • Document security, E Books, and DRM protection - By: Alice Pierce
    E books were starting to loose their popularity due to restrictions used by the publishers through DRM protection system. However, the publishers have now found out DRM method that compromises user requirements with publishers' interests
  • Protecting audio and Internet music with DRM - By: Alice Pierce
    Like films audio music is also vulnerable to unauthorized copying. DRM as prevention has its own problem and yet is the best possible solution to address the problem of copying.
  • Preventing movie piracy with DRM - By: Alice Pierce
    Movies have always been the object of piracy despite poor quality of the copies. However the advent of digital technologies has completely changed the scenario with high quality copies that needs prevention.
  • DRM and Analog-Digital conversion - By: Alice Pierce
    Enhanced capabilities among individuals and all concerned for analog digital conversion has turned out to be a major threat for copyright dependent producers of web contents. Use of DRM therefore can not be termed as unethical.
  • Digital rights management - companies and controversies - By: Alice Pierce
    Document security and copy protection are very crucial aspects of any organization. The copy protection is important for PDF documents as well as web based content security.
  • Access control with DRM software - By: Alice Pierce
    To prevent your intellectual properties from being stolen you must control access to them. This is exactly the function of digital rights management that is tending to replace the traditional print copyright system.