I am having some difficulty getting FMS to start. Our IT guy installed it and I have access to view it from my workstation. I've tried opening in a few different ways.

When I try to connect via the Server icon in the Admin application a box that says "FileMaker Server "(localhost)(our IP address)" is not running. Would you like to start FileMaker Server and then connect? I click yes and in a couple seconds it comes back up.

When I try to connect via the Windows Administration Tools using Action>Start, I get this message: "The FileMaker Server 8 service on Local Computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they have no work to do, for example, the Performance Log and Alerts service.

We are only at the point of verifying that it was installed correctly (I assume not). I can't find any troubleshooting information that mentions any of this.

I have not moved our databases because I am trying to see if I can open the sample file.

Any ideas?

When you launch the service from the services control panel, the sample file will automatically be hosted.

[color:red]You do not---repeat do not---launch the files independently.

There are 2 services that both must be running: FileMaker Serevr Helper and FIleMaker Server. Start them from the Control Panel.

HTH

Steven

I understand what you are saying. I'm still not getting anywhere though. I followed the "Verifying your installation" instructions on page 22 of the FileMaker Server Administrator's Guide. After step 5 where I select the server I want to administer and click connect I can't go any farther. In Services (Local) the status of FMS will shows "Stopping" and Helper is "Started". Should I stop the Helper and try it all again?

Stopping the Helper and trying it all again produces the same result.

Do you have to open it from the computer that is connected to the server or can I do it remotely from my workstation? I am in the same office as the server and on the same network.

I'm just confused. The IP addresses show up but don't do anything.

I've got to be missing a step somewhere. Help appreciated.

"The FileMaker Server 8 service on Local Computer started and then stopped.

Usually the Application Event Log (where FMS writes its entries) will tell you the reason why the service started but then stopped. What does it say?

Typical reasons for this behaviour are:

- expired trial license

- conflict with another FMS install somewhere on the network that used the same license key

- incompatibility with other services running on the same machine (SharePoint, ...). For best results make the FMS machine dedicated to FMS only

IN the Applications Event Log there are a whole bunch of lines that say "Information" and a few "ERROR" lines that read:

"FileMaker Server license information is invalid or missing. Server will now shut down."

Is there supposed to be license information that accompanies a download for a trial Server 8?

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You can't run Sharepoint on the same server as FileMaker? Thay may be our problem. What happens to make them not work on the same machine?

Edited November 15, 200520 yr by Guest

Is there supposed to be license information that accompanies a download for a trial Server 8?

Yes in the Assisted Install file. It's preconfigured. You did run the installer?

Steven

We were sent an e-mail and we downloaded & installed it. We ran the Registration and it asked for a serial number that we don't have at this point.

We don't show an actual file called Assisted Install. Where should I look for it?

You can't run Sharepoint on the same server as FileMaker? Thay may be our problem. What happens to make them not work on the same machine?

What happens is exactly what you're seeing...

Not sure what the technical reason is that they don't want to play together but they don't.

Besides the technical issues, it's not a good idea to put important business critical roles on the same machine. You don't want one taking down the other or cause unnecessary down time for one role if the other role needs maintenance, a reboot, ...

In the long run, you're not saving money.

I believe that you should have received an install code for the trial version. Maybe contact customer support and see for sure. I have never even seen a trial version, but my understanding is that the install code comes with it.

Steven