Task Scheduler causing system freeze

Hi, I'm running Win98 original, with all updates including IE6.0 SP1 and Direct X 9.0b etc.

I use the Task Scheduler to run a DOS batch file every day to backup email folders etc. No problem with the task usually, but if the PC has been idle for a while (typically 30 mins or more) before the task runs the system locks up. My Power Settings switch the monitor to standby after 20 mins (hard disk shut down and system standby are set to "never" i.e always on) so I can't see what's on the monitor at the time of the lockup. Moving the mouse or any keyboard input fails to revive the system and the only recourse is to to use the reset button. The task in question does not run in this case and Task Scheduler reminds me of that fact when the system is rebooted.

I will disable the monitor standby option to see what (if anything) happens on the screen when the system freezes.

I vaguely remember reading something about the Task Scheduler causing the system to hiberbnate some time ago, but I don't remember when / where now.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?

Thanks

Tony J

 

Haven't heard of a reason for the scheduler freeze up, hasn't happened on my 98SE. A sleuthing solution is try disabling one scheduled task at a time [right click>disable] to see if your system stops freezing. It'll take a while, maybe you'll find the answer in the meantime.

DirectX 9 loaded and then Scheduler started freezing (?)

 

Thanks Rex B for your reply.

I have only 2 scheduled tasks, Norton Antivirus Live Update (weekly) and the daily task that I created to backup my mail folders using Winzip command line which runs in a dos box. The daily backup task works fine EXCEPT when the PC has been idle for about 30 mins or more before it runs.

I tried changing my Power Settings in Control Panel to stop the monitor going into standby mode after 20 mins so I could see what happens when the task tries to run (as I already mentioned, my other power settings for HDD power down and system standby were already set to "never" i.e always on), but in this case the task runs OK every time!

The task properties "settings - power management" were set to their default values i.e "don't start task if running on batteries" and "stop task if battery mode begins" both enabled and "wake the computer to run this task" disabled. Disabling the first two and enabling "wake the computer to run this task" in the task properties does not fix the problem, neither does disabling all 3 options.

There is a short burst of HDD activity when the task tries to run after which no mouse or keyboard input will revive the PC and a hard reset is needed.

Further testing has shown that the problem ONLY occurs with apps that run in a dos box (e.g Winzip command line). Running a windows application from a task while the monitor is powered off works fine and the monitor remains off while the task is running.

Any ideas welcomed.

Tony (tjbuc)

 

Norton Antivirus Live Update (weekly)

It might be a good idea to change that ot Daily.

Further testing has shown that the problem ONLY occurs with apps that run in a dos box (e.g Winzip command line).

Why do you have to go to a Dos Box ?

Can't WinZip be set to do the job in Windows ?

I did not know that WinZip even worked is DOS. Have I missed something ? I have never even thought about it anyway.

Suggestion.

At the end of the line of WinZip Commands enter the word ( command ) "EXIT "

It may be hanging up because of not having the command to close the DOS Box.

BillyBob

 

Thanks for the replies.
Broni - Yes, if the monitor is not in standby mode the task runs fine. I never had any other problems with power management on this PC. I suspect that most problems are caused by incompatibility with hardware. I've used system standby (suspend) in the past without problems on this PC. Unneccessary Hard Disk spindown - spinup cycles are only likely to shorten drive life so I dont use it. Anyway, I only want to switch the monitor to standby after a period of inactivity - I guess I could find a screensaver which does this and see if that solves the problem.

BillyBob - As far as I know the only way you can "automate" winzip is to use the "winzip command line add-on" which runs in a dos box. If you know another way, please let me know. I will also take a look at WinRAR to see if that can be run from a command line. The problem seems not to be about closing the dos box. Although something happens when the task tries to run it never actually starts - the system locks up immediately. Also, I stress that the task runs perfectly EXCEPT when the monitor has been put in standby mode by power management.

Thanks
Tony

 

OK. That is a new one for me. I do not use WinZip that much anyway other than unzipping.

Stuff that I want to save I either burn to CDs. or Drag-n-Drop them to another partition or CD RW.

Turning off Power Management is one of the FIRST items of business after installing/re-installing the OS. By doing that I can stop a couple of things from loading at boot up and using up RAM.

BB

 

I found a solution to the immediate problem by using WinRAR to backup my mail folders. WinRAR runs from the command line without running in a DOS box, unlike the WinZIP command line add on. However, this doesn't explain the strange behaviour of the Task Scheduler when running DOS based apps while the monitor is in standby mode. If anyone can provide any suggestions for the cause of this problem I'd be interested to read them.

Thanks
Tony (tjbuc)