Windows Scheduled Task refuse to run

Question

I am trying to setup a daily task (running CTest from a batch script). I have used the default GUI of my Vista Pro 32bits, and setup the following task:

> schtasks /query /tn "trunk nightly" /xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<Task version="1.2" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/windows/2004/02/mit/task">
  <RegistrationInfo>
    <Date>2014-04-17T11:44:43.2643714</Date>
    <Author>PC-de-optiplex3\voxxl</Author>
  </RegistrationInfo>
  <Triggers>
    <CalendarTrigger>
      <StartBoundary>2014-04-17T05:00:00</StartBoundary>
      <Enabled>true</Enabled>
      <ScheduleByDay>
        <DaysInterval>1</DaysInterval>
      </ScheduleByDay>
    </CalendarTrigger>
  </Triggers>
  <Principals>
    <Principal id="Author">
      <RunLevel>HighestAvailable</RunLevel>
      <UserId>PC-de-optiplex3\voxxl</UserId>
      <LogonType>Password</LogonType>
    </Principal>
  </Principals>
  <Settings>
    <IdleSettings>
      <StopOnIdleEnd>true</StopOnIdleEnd>
      <RestartOnIdle>false</RestartOnIdle>
    </IdleSettings>
    <MultipleInstancesPolicy>IgnoreNew</MultipleInstancesPolicy>
    <DisallowStartIfOnBatteries>true</DisallowStartIfOnBatteries>
    <StopIfGoingOnBatteries>true</StopIfGoingOnBatteries>
    <AllowHardTerminate>true</AllowHardTerminate>
    <StartWhenAvailable>false</StartWhenAvailable>
    <RunOnlyIfNetworkAvailable>false</RunOnlyIfNetworkAvailable>
    <AllowStartOnDemand>true</AllowStartOnDemand>
    <Enabled>true</Enabled>
    <Hidden>false</Hidden>
    <RunOnlyIfIdle>false</RunOnlyIfIdle>
    <WakeToRun>true</WakeToRun>
    <ExecutionTimeLimit>P3D</ExecutionTimeLimit>
    <Priority>7</Priority>
  </Settings>
  <Actions Context="Author">
    <Exec>
      <Command>C:\Dashboards\ctest_scripts\hpdesk_openjpeg.bat</Command>
      <WorkingDirectory>C:\Dashboards\ctest_scripts\</WorkingDirectory>
    </Exec>
  </Actions>
</Task>

From the GUI, it tells me that the last run happened on the 24th, while today is the 28th, so clearly it runs properly for a couple of days and then stop. Is there a way to setup a daily windows tasks, that actually runs on daily basis ? My user has admin rights, has a password, and workstation is properly plugged (no power outage during the week end).

As can be seen from the XML output, the flag WakeToRun is properly set to true. From the power management system, I cannot however set the famous Allow wake timers (interface if in french but clearly the 4th parameters is missing, simply compare with this)

here is the same screenshot after I click on Change settings that are currently unavailable:

Clearly the code above does not make use of any UI at all at least it does not open anything when I right click 'execute' from the windows schedulers panel. It run smoothly when executed by hand.

It looks just as if a task cannot run when computer is asleep...

Answer 1

You have to enable wake up timers in the power savings plan options:
Control Panel -> Power Options -> Change plan settings -> Change advanced power settings.
In the list, item Sleep, change Allow wake timers to Enable.

The GUI parameters for the scheduled task should include :

In the General tab:

• Check Run whether user is logged in or not

In the Conditions tab:

• Check Wake the computer to run this task.

If there is no Wake the computer to run this task checkbox, then most probably your BIOS or hardware do not support wake timers, which is why Windows will not display the option.

If that's the case, the only other idea I have is, if wake-on-LAN is supported, to maybe do the waking from another computer on the network.

Answer 2

If you're unable to get the task scheduler to work for you, and, your task is started from sleep or hibernation, have a look at WakeOnStandby. It's free and it just might provide what you're looking for.