Microsoft KB Archive/178691

= Scheduled Program Does Not Start in Task Scheduler =

Article ID: 178691

Article Last Modified on 1/22/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 128-Bit Edition
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.2
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q178691



SYMPTOMS
When Task Scheduler attempts to start a scheduled program, the program may not start, and Could Not Start may appear as the status of the program.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if either of the following conditions exists:


 * The path to the program file is incorrect.
 * You specified a command-line switch for the program file, and you typed the program file's path and command-line switch within quotation marks (for example, "c:\windows\calc.exe /d").



RESOLUTION
To resolve this behavior, follow the steps in the appropriate section below:

Path to the Program File Is Incorrect

 * 1) Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Scheduled Tasks.
 * 2) Right-click the program whose path you want to modify, and then click Properties.
 * 3) On the Task tab, modify the path to the program file by using either of the following methods:


 * 1) * Type the path and the file name of the program file in the Run box.
 * 2) * Click Browse, locate and click the program file you want, click Open, and then click OK.
 * 3) Quit Task Scheduler.

The Program File Contains a Command-Line Switch

 * 1) Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Scheduled Tasks.
 * 2) Right-click the program whose command-line you want to modify, and then click Properties.
 * 3) In the Run box, type command-line switch outside of the quotation marks (for example, "c:\windows\calc.exe" /d).
 * 4) Click OK, and then quit Task Scheduler.



MORE INFORMATION
If a program does not start because the path to the program file is incorrect or because you typed a command-line switch within quotation marks, the following entry is added to the Schedlog.txt file when Task Scheduler attempts to start the program

" .job"  ** ERROR **

Unable to start task.

The specific error is:



Try using the Task page Browse button to locate the application.

where is the name of the program (for example, ScanDisk), and is the name of the program's executable file (for example, Scandskw.exe).

To view the Schedlog.txt file, click View Log on the Advanced menu in Task Scheduler.

For more information about how to use Task Scheduler, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type task, and then double-click the "Task Scheduler" topic.

Additional query words: 4.00 4.01

Keywords: kbenv KB178691

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