Scheduled Program Does Not Start in Task Scheduler (178691)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x for Windows 95
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
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:

    • Type the path and the file name of the program file in the Run box.
    • Click Browse, locate and click the program file you want, click Open, and then click OK.
  4. 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
"<program name>.job" (<program file name>) <date> <time> ** ERROR **

Unable to start task.
The specific error is:
<error code>: The system cannot find the file specified.
Try using the Task page Browse button to locate the application.
where <program name> is the name of the program (for example, ScanDisk), and <program file name> 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.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/5/2003
Keywords:kbenv KB178691
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.