We intermittently get two instances of 24x7.exe (as viewed from
Task Manager). This causes problems when the next scheduled job executes, 2 runs are produced.

We are running version 2.4.11 on Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Server.
No remote agents, and not running as a service.

When it happens there are no jobs running at all. We do have a lot of
file watch jobs that run all day everyday (about 20 of 40 jobs). They
poll for files in 10 minute intervals.

Do you have 2 different services setup under two diferent accounts?

Do you have a shortcut in startup menu and the service setup at the same time?

: We intermittently get two instances of 24x7.exe (as viewed from
: Task Manager). This causes problems when the next scheduled job executes, 2
: runs are produced.

: We are running version 2.4.11 on Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Server.
: No remote agents, and not running as a service.

: When it happens there are no jobs running at all. We do have a lot of
: file watch jobs that run all day everyday (about 20 of 40 jobs). They
: poll for files in 10 minute intervals.

: Do you have 2 different services setup under two diferent accounts?

NO. NO SERVICES AT ALL.

: Do you have a shortcut in startup menu and the service setup at the same
: time?

NO SERVICE SETUP. ONLY THE STARTUP MENU SHORTCUT.

IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY, OR SO IT SEEMS. THERE WILL BE NO PROBLEM FOR A WEEK,
AND THEN ONE DAY WE JUST SEE 2 INSTANCES RUNNING.

Any job that runs 24x7 command or has "detached" property?

Why do you think "double-runs" are caused by the 2 different instances and not becuase of some other conditions?

: NO. NO SERVICES AT ALL.

: NO SERVICE SETUP. ONLY THE STARTUP MENU SHORTCUT.

: IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY, OR SO IT SEEMS. THERE WILL BE NO PROBLEM FOR A WEEK,
: AND THEN ONE DAY WE JUST SEE 2 INSTANCES RUNNING.

: Any job that runs 24x7 command or has "detached" property?

We do not use Remote Agents, so no "detached" jobs. What is an example of a 24x7 command? Like starting up another 24x7? That would be NO also.

: Why do you think "double-runs" are caused by the 2 different
: instances and not becuase of some other conditions?

Because double runs happen almost simultaneously (one errors if the other has exclusive rights to a resource) and only happen when there are 2 instances.

"detached" is the job property (see "Detached job" check box), it has nothing to do with Remote Agents. A detached job is run by a separate instance of 24x7 as a way to cut resource sharing and improve crash protection. That instance runs just one job and then immediatelly exits after the run.

Which 24x7 version do you use?

: We do not use Remote Agents, so no "detached" jobs. What is an
: example of a 24x7 command? Like starting up another 24x7? That would be NO
: also.

: Because double runs happen almost simultaneously (one errors if the other has
: exclusive rights to a resource) and only happen when there are 2
: instances.

: "detached" is the job property (see "Detached job" check
: box), it has nothing to do with Remote Agents. A detached job is run by a
: separate instance of 24x7 as a way to cut resource sharing and improve
: crash protection. That instance runs just one job and then immediatelly
: exits after the run.

OK, I SEE IT NOW. WE JUST UPGRADED TO 2.4.11 LAST WEEK, AND DID NOT SEE THAT OPTION BEFORE.

: Which 24x7 version do you use?

WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHILE RUNNING VERSION 2.4.7 FOR A WHILE, THEN UPGRADED TO 2.4.11 LAST WEEK IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEE IF THAT WOULD RESOLVE IT. WE ARE NOW ON 2.4.11, WITH NO JOBS HAVING DETACHED PROPERTY.

: OK, I SEE IT NOW. WE JUST UPGRADED TO 2.4.11 LAST WEEK, AND DID NOT SEE THAT
: OPTION BEFORE.

: WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHILE RUNNING VERSION 2.4.7 FOR A WHILE, THEN
: UPGRADED TO 2.4.11 LAST WEEK IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEE IF THAT WOULD RESOLVE
: IT. WE ARE NOW ON 2.4.11, WITH NO JOBS HAVING DETACHED PROPERTY.

ADDITIONAL INFO: MAJORITY OF OUR JOBS ARE ASYNCHRONOUS.

Still, something must be starting the second 24x7. What's more intriguing is that 24x7 normally checks on startup if it is already running and if it finds another instance it asks to OK to continue loading.

Please search all batch files and all script jobs that have 24x7 in their text.
Please also check you don't have AT command or other scheduler that kicks of 24x7

: ADDITIONAL INFO: MAJORITY OF OUR JOBS ARE ASYNCHRONOUS.

: Still, something must be starting the second 24x7. What's more intriguing is
: that 24x7 normally checks on startup if it is already running and if it
: finds another instance it asks to OK to continue loading.

AGREED.

: Please search all batch files and all script jobs that have 24x7 in their
: text.

WE HAVE NONE. THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE NO JOBS RUNNING.
JUST LOTS OF FILE WATCHES RUNNING ALL THE TIME ALL DAY AND NIGHT. CAN YOU
TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW THE FILE WATCH WORKS?

: Please also check you don't have AT command or other scheduler that kicks of
: 24x7

NO OTHER SCHEDULER OR AT COMMAND.

File watch process is very straight-forward, the scheduling engine every second checks which jobs have file-watch schedules, then checks the check interval and if is time to look for files it performs file search using the specified file mask. If at least 1 file is found it proceeds with the job.

Are you running Win95/98 system by any chance?

I suggest you send a screen shot with the Task Manager on it displaying 2 24x7.exe running to support@softtreetech.com. Also please add a screen shot of Service tab page from the Tools/Options menu

: AGREED.

: WE HAVE NONE. THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE NO JOBS RUNNING.
: JUST LOTS OF FILE WATCHES RUNNING ALL THE TIME ALL DAY AND NIGHT. CAN YOU
: TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW THE FILE WATCH WORKS?

: NO OTHER SCHEDULER OR AT COMMAND.

: File watch process is very straight-forward, the scheduling engine every
: second checks which jobs have file-watch schedules, then checks the check
: interval and if is time to look for files it performs file search using
: the specified file mask. If at least 1 file is found it proceeds with the
: job.

: Are you running Win95/98 system by any chance?

NO. WINNT 4.0 ENTERPRISE SERVER

: I suggest you send a screen shot with the Task Manager on it displaying 2
: 24x7.exe running to support@softtreetech.com. Also please add a screen
: shot of Service tab page from the Tools/Options menu

WE EVEN HAVE THE SERVICE DISABLED AND THE 24X7SRV.EXE RENAMED SO IT WON'T EXECUTE.

NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS, WE WILL TAKE THAT SCREEN PRINT AND SEND IT ON.

After more than a week of no incidents, it has happened again today.

I am sending the screen prints to support@softtreetech.com