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NetTalk Web Server => Web Server - Ask For Help => Topic started by: Alberto on October 12, 2012, 11:48:42 AM

Title: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: Alberto on October 12, 2012, 11:48:42 AM

Hi,
I´m trying to make the webserver exe a service.
I´m adding the NT service extention of the ABCfree templates.
It works ok but...
I have a process theta generates an excel sheet using the Softmasters Templates.
If I run the webserver as an exe it works ok but if I use it as a server nothing happens, no error no nothing, the process bar looks as its doin the excel sheet but nothing...
Any idea ?
Any other way I can run the webserver exe as a service avoiding a user to log in each time the server restarts?
THanks
Alberto

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: rjmiller on October 12, 2012, 11:54:16 AM

Michelis,

I use selfservice from capasoft... no, I don't work for them... works like a champ with virtually no config on my part.  Sorry, but I am not familiar with the ABCFree templates.

  RJ

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: Alberto on October 12, 2012, 11:58:18 AM

Thanks RJ

And you use Softmasters template to generate an excel sheet?
Because these is causing the problem. Not the ABCfree template.

Regards

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: rjmiller on October 12, 2012, 12:25:41 PM

No, I am not.  I didn't realize you had already ruled out the service template as a cause.

Sorry.

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: Alberto on October 12, 2012, 12:29:20 PM

Thanks,
It sounds like the excle Automation cant be used by a service...
Dont know...

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: bshields on October 12, 2012, 02:33:51 PM

Hi Alberto,

Try editing the service (in control panel / administrative tools / services).

Go to the "Log On" tab and tick the box "Allow service to interact with desktop".

Its only a guess, but the Softmasters Templates (which I've never used or seen or heard of!) is probably using DDE and im pretty sure thats not going to work in a service environment. Ticking that box "might" help.

Regards
Bill

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: Alberto on October 12, 2012, 02:42:23 PM

Thanks Bill,
I´ve tried this but... no luck at all...

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: bshields on October 12, 2012, 04:45:28 PM

Hi Alberto,

I did some homework and yes the problem is a service trying to talk to a DDE server.

So a solution may not be possible but you could try:

#1 on the same "Log On" tab, change it to use a user account (the account you are logged in via) and not the system account, make sure you also tick interact with desktop. Then start the program that is going to be accessed via DDE, then restart your service. See if it works.

#2 starting excel (well its DDE server via the API call CreateProcess() or CreateProcessAsUser(). This may involve hacking the template, and i suspect much pain.

Maybe you might want to consider going back to .CSV for your spreadsheet (if its just data and not formulas).

When you think about how DDE works its really not suitable in a server/service environment.

Regards
Bill

Title: Re: WebServer as a Service and Softmasters template
Post by: Alberto on October 12, 2012, 06:21:38 PM

Thanks Bill, you are awsome...
I recall this working ok in a 2003 server...
I will what you suggest a try
Thanks again!