How To Create Scheduled Task In Windows Xp

#1

Blaine B.

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:24 AM

I formatted and re-installed XP SP3 last spring. I have always been fond of a lean running operating system, so it is not uncommon for me to disable an array of services, so that they do not start when starting Windows.

Some of these include:

Help and support

Task scheduler

Wireless zero configuration

security center

alerter

error reporting

messenger

Now, I can understand the importance of having some automatic tasks, so that I don't have to continually update my anti-virus manually, as well as flash player, Google Chrome, etc.

I have turned most of those services to "automatic" so that I am able to open up the task scheduler in the control panel. However, all of the scheduled tasks still continue to say that they were unable to run, and even if I right click them and try to run them manually, they will still not run.

Any ideas? I knew that there was a hot fix available, but I believe that was for pre-service pack 3 installations of XP.

Edited by Blaine B., 07 January 2015 - 09:26 AM.

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#2 JohnC_21

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:40 AM

Go through the steps here. The Task Scheduler Service has a RPC dependency. Make sure that service is started.

#3 Blaine B.

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 07:43 PM

The RPC is set to automatic and is started. The RPC Locator is set to manual and is not started. I never disabled this particular service.

Also, here is the latest log from the Task Scheduler. The entire log is full of this same error:

"GoogleUpdateTaskMachineCore.job" (GoogleUpdate.exe) 1/4/2015 10:35:00 AM ** ERROR **

The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or no account information existed for the task.

The specific error is:

0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task Scheduler security database for the task indicated.

My task service is enabled and is running. But the tasks themselves can not run.

Edited by Blaine B., 07 January 2015 - 07:44 PM.

#4 JohnC_21

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 08:19 PM

I am not sure this would work but if possible delete all Tasks in Task Scheduler. Reboot the computer. Create a new task and see if it now runs.

#5 Blaine B.

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 08:31 PM

Actually, I got it to work. I searched around again for the Google Update application, clicked apply, and then it asked for my user account password. I entered my password and the task was able to run.

Strange!

#6 JohnC_21

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 08:39 PM

Thanks for that update. I am sure it will help other people with the same issue.

#7 Blaine B.

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 08:45 PM

Must have been because I disabled the task manager and associated services before I put the password on my computer, so the existing tasks did not have the password input into them?

No idea, just a hypothesis.

#8 JohnC_21

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:13 PM

A blank password can cause Task Scheduler to not run.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310715

#9 Blaine B.

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:15 PM

What would I do if I didn't want a user password, and I just wanted to boot up to the desktop without having to enter a password?

#10 JohnC_21

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:30 PM

Not sure. The above article says you cannot use blank passwords but I don't have a password on an XP computer and a Scheduled Task I have runs. When I had Chrome the scheduled task ran for checking updates. Maybe it happened as you say because you added a password after scheduled tasks were already present and it saw the existing tasks as having a blank password for your account.

#11 Blaine B.

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:46 PM

The reason I asked is because I set up my dad's computer the same way. His computer is not password protected, though, and also has problems with the scheduled tasks. I originally set it up very similar to my own since I essentially set them up side by side.

So his system may actually have a "blank password" as mentioned in the Microsoft article.

Edited by Blaine B., 07 January 2015 - 09:46 PM.

#12 JohnC_21

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:49 PM

It would be interesting to find out what happens if you add a password to your dad's account. Please keep BC updated.

#13 Blaine B.

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 09:59 PM

Well then, he would have to enter it every time he started up his computer, which he doesn't care to do. I'll look at this weekend...

#14 hamluis

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Posted 08 January 2015 - 12:08 PM

#15 Blaine B.

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Posted 08 January 2015 - 12:18 PM

So you set a password, but then uncheck that box?

On my father's computer, there is no password input at all. It is just blank, and then I deleted the ASP.net account and guest accounts so that it logs directly into the only account that exists without showing the welcome/login screen.