Scheduled tasks may not run in Microsoft Windows XP

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This article was previously published under Q329769

SYMPTOMS

When you set tasks in Scheduled Tasks on your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, the tasks may not run.

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RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/EN-US/ ) How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

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Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows XP

Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
--------------------------------------------------------------
21-Sep-2002  19:44  5.2.32.0           24,576  Xpsp1hfm.exe     
09-Oct-2002  21:36  5.1.2600.102      250,880  Mstask.dll       
09-Oct-2002  19:11  5.1.2600.102        9,728  Mstinit.exe      
09-Oct-2002  21:36  5.1.2600.102      158,720  Schedsvc.dll     
09-Oct-2002  23:43  5.1.2600.1130     250,880  Mstask.dll       
09-Oct-2002  19:14  5.1.2600.1130       9,728  Mstinit.exe      
09-Oct-2002  23:43  5.1.2600.1130     159,232  Schedsvc.dll

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition

Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
---------------------------------------------------------------------
04-Sep-2002  18:34  5.2.32.0           59,392  Xpsp1hfm.exe     IA-64
16-Oct-2002  00:08  5.1.2600.102      613,376  Mstask.dll       IA-64
09-Oct-2002  19:11  5.1.2600.102       20,992  Mstinit.exe      IA-64
16-Oct-2002  00:08  5.1.2600.102      532,480  Schedsvc.dll     IA-64
09-Oct-2002  19:11  5.1.2600.102      250,880  Wmstask.dll      x86
09-Oct-2002  19:11  5.1.2600.102        9,728  Wmstinit.exe     x86
09-Oct-2002  19:11  5.1.2600.102      158,720  Wschedsvc.dll    x86
15-Oct-2002  22:33  5.1.2600.1130     614,912  Mstask.dll       IA-64
09-Oct-2002  19:14  5.1.2600.1130      20,992  Mstinit.exe      IA-64
15-Oct-2002  22:33  5.1.2600.1130     534,528  Schedsvc.dll     IA-64
09-Oct-2002  19:14  5.1.2600.1130     250,880  Wmstask.dll      x86
09-Oct-2002  19:14  5.1.2600.1130       9,728  Wmstinit.exe     x86
09-Oct-2002  19:14  5.1.2600.1130     159,232  Wschedsvc.dll    x86

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, you must restart the Task Scheduler service from the Services snap-in. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.
Double-click Services, click the Task Scheduler service, and then click Restart the service. Wait for the Service Control progress indicator to close.
Close the Services window.