Starting hosted files automatically after reboot

[BikeBoy]

Hi folks,

I am running FileMaker Server 5.0 on NT Workstation 4.0, and want to create a batch file that will start all hosted files on it after reboot.

I downloaded AUTOEXNT, and installed it into %systemroot%/system32

http://www.windows2000faq.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=14849

It worked first few times, but now it doesnt any longer. Heres the actual text in autoexnt.bat file:

START "FileMaker Server"

cd "C:Program FilesFileMakerFileMaker Server 5"

fmserver open X:My_Dir*.*

exit

Note that I start FileMaker Server service before anything.

The Open Procedure for service FileMaker Server in DLL C:Program FilesFileMakerFileMaker Server5pmpsperf.dll failed.

Now this article http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?SCID=KB;EN-US;137890

Talks about registry pointing to the right application. In my case its pointing to Autoexnt.exe. I did not create this service, it came with the installation. The installation also did not provide the srvany.exe file the article specifies as needed.

Thanks for your help

[Ted S]

We're running server 3.0 on a W2K box and the files come up automatically. I think you need to have the files located in a folder just below that of the server... unless things are different in ver 5.

-Ted

[BikeBoy]

I have the files located on another drive (logical drive) for easy recovery/backup. So FileMaker Server is on C: and the hosted databases are on a different partition.

[Ted S]

We have the hosted files on the c: drive as I explained but as a step in the backup script (batch file) we copy all of the paused files from the c: drive over to the d:drive. Then the Veritas backup software does its work on the d: drive's files.

-Ted

[Leb i Sol]

Here are a few steps:

1.make an empty database and name it someting( I used underscore because that automatically hides the DB from publishing regardless if it is shared or published)mine was called "_startALL.fp5"

2.Open "_startALL.fp5" DB and run ScripMaker...

3.Make a script (any name)called "startup" and use it with function of "File->Open["myDB.fp5"]"..duplicate this for all of your DataBases you want to be opened

4. Under Edit->Preferences->Document (of the balnk DB we called "_startALL.fp5") check the option "When Opening...Perform Script" and select that script we made called "startup"

5. Type in your Default password (we assume you have one main admin password thoughtout all those DBs you want opened)

------------ you are done on FM side ----------------

this way any time we open file called "_startALL.fp5" it will automatically run the script "startup" which then will open all of our DataBases with the same default password. Ones you test all of this you can add a script that will close the file "_startALL.fp5" and leave opened only those files it triggered!

Easy right! OK

-----------------------WINDOWS side-------------------

now to

Add a Startup option (windows absed mine-2000pro paltform)

1.Start->Programs->Startup and make a new shortcut that will point to our "_startALL.fp5" database

in my case:

"C:Program FilesFileMakerFileMaker Pro 6FileMaker Pro.exe"C:DB_startALL.fp5"

where the C:DB_startALL.fp5 part depends on where you save your Database..mine was on drive C: folder called DB

---- DONE -----------

next time you reboot your Windows box the file will be opened that will trigger the opening of all the databases!

You can also use Windows scheduling ( Start-Settings-ControlPannel-Scheduled Tasks) to trigger any of these commands (eg."C:Program FilesFileMakerFileMaker Pro 6FileMaker Pro.exe"C:DB_startALL.fp5 )

By doing these few steps you FileMaker Pro gets the scheduling service that is built-in on Server Version.

BikeBoy in your case I would double check those bactch files and maybe stick into Scheduling ....

If anyone knows better way please let me know...!

-win2000Pro

-FileMaker6 Pro

[Anatoli]

I still don't know what is this all about.

FM server starts all files (up to 125) automatically. Period.

[Leb i Sol]

It sounds like he has a server and my thoughts were that ALL THIS is taken care of by the server scheduling.....

what I wrote is a work-arround and can be used for the platforms I mentioned...NOT the server but FMPro since FM Pro does not have scheduling built-in....

I think that BikeBoy needs to explain his problem a bit more..sounds to me like he tryed to add some services and batch processes into his Windows machine?:

Anatoli....but I thought also that this is...why people buy server version so they dont have to worry about "serving"

anyway......

BikeBoy need to speak up if he needs further assistance...:

[Anatoli]

RE: Anatoli....but I thought also that this is...why people buy server version so they dont have to worry about "serving"

anyway......

I like server even for few users or at least dedicated machine with FM client serving few clients.

One can corrupt the databases when working just in client.

If FM client crashes FM, data are not corrupted on server (FMP as server)

[bbaliner]

Here I am, speaking up and holding my peace.

I kinda put this issue on a back burner, since I was unbeleivably busy of last.

My FileMaker Server DOESN'T start files automatically. The reason being is that the files are hosted on a different partition, like I said before. I know you can move them to reside under FileMaker Server, and then back them up to a different drive, but I havn't done that.

Anyway, prevoiusly every time I rebooted I needed to go to FileMaker command line, and specifically tell it to open all hosted files. Now I've written a batch file in Windows that does that on startup. But it doesnt work on startup, I need to edit the registry, it's not enough to stick it into startup folder. So now I just execute this batch file manually after reboot. Havn't gotten around to make it completely automatic yet.

[bbaliner]

OK, I see your point. There's no need to edit the registry, I can just schedule FileMaker Server to run my batch file on reboot.

I've never even noticed this function in the scheduler, just useed it for backups before.

Thanks for the tip!

[Anatoli]

Another thing, you can try is to put alias -- shortcut to your files into proper place in FM server folder. Maybe it can be fooled.

In any case, you are using wrong setup. FM server should be on dedicated CPU.

Files should be on fastest drive and on C:

I cannot imagine any reason why not.

If you do the scheduled FM backups to different drives, it is piece of cake -- up to 15 minutes -- to install FM server on another machine and copy last backup in case of total failure.

[Leb i Sol]

..see BikerBoy if you speak up these nice gentlemen or ladies WILL help you out with their advice

[bbaliner]

Thanks for the responces, Leb i Sol (bread and salt?)

I'm still not 100% sure how to set FMS scheduler to understand reboot event. There are options to run the batch on particular day/time, but that's different.

I guess I could do that with W2K Resource Kit, or just move the files to live in the same folder as FileMaker Server.

[Leb i Sol]

you are right...bread and salt

how did you know? r u from ex_YU?

anyhow, sorry I can not be of more help since I do not have a server version of FM. I only need to serv to 5 users Max.....so the FMPro works out for now.

The post I wrote was mostly for those that also don't have a server but I belive it can be used in your case as well.

I don't see why Win Schdl wouldn't work with your batch file......but I won't get into it; there are people overhere that are much more experienced/knowledable than me!

[Anatoli]

We have "chleb a sul" in Czech and "chleb a sol" in Slovak

Close enough

[Ugo DI LUCA]

From what I can remember of my last trip in Praga, you not only have bread and salt there.

Hopefully, Taxi drivers only have chleb a sul

[Anatoli]

Ugo, did you shot some of them?

It should be based in Czech law: you can shot Taxi driver in Prague if you are not happy with the charge.

[Leb i Sol]

closer than I thought

[BikeBoy]

no, but I speak several languages including Ukrainian and Russian, which is very close. They say chleb i sol, like Analoli said.

I myself am more into pivo

[Anatoli]

You cannot beat good pivo

Pivo = beer.

My mother is from Kiev