Error trying to run Windows Task Scheduler

Lindsay Graham wrote:
> Not sure which is the most appropriate newsgroup, hence the
> cross-posting -- hope I've not done the wrong thing <g>.
>
> I have WinXP on a netbook with only one user (who is the Computer
> Administrator) and no passwords. When I tried to set up a schedule for
> SyncToy, I got an error message "A new task has been created but may not
> run because the account information could not be set. The specific
> error is 0x80070005: Access is denied."
>
> I tried again and set a password for the user when asked to do so. This
> time, I got an error message "An error has occurred while attempting to
> set task account information. The specific error is 0x80070005: You do
> not have permission to perform the requested operation."
>
> What is causing these errors and how do I get past them? Any help
> appreciated.
>
> Lindsay Graham
> Canberra, Australia

If it's not clear from JS's post, Task Scheduler requires that tasks be
scheduled for an account with a non-blank password. You don't set the
password for the scheduled task (which seems like what you tried to do
in your second attempt). Rather, you have to configure the user account
to have a password and then enter that in the Scheduled Task Wizard.

There are at least 4 ways to deal with this issue:

1. Create a password for your user account (best way)

2. Create a new account, with a password, that you use for scheduled
tasks and leave your everyday account without a password (not best)

3. Learn how to use the AT command to schedule a task [see
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490866.aspx]

4. Learn how to use SchTasks.exe to schedule a task using the NT
Authority\System account

BTW, windowsxp.help_and_support is supposed to be for questions *about*
the Windows Help system and not for actual help or support.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/index.html

> "Lindsay Graham" <LDGraham.TakeThisOut@aapt.net.au> wrote in message
> news:OeISGopKKHA.4168@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Not sure which is the most appropriate newsgroup, hence the
> cross-posting -- hope I've not done the wrong thing <g>.
>
> I have WinXP on a netbook with only one user (who is the Computer
> Administrator) and no passwords. When I tried to set up a schedule for
> SyncToy, I got an error message "A new task has been created but may not
> run because the account information could not be set. The specific error
> is 0x80070005: Access is denied."
>
> I tried again and set a password for the user when asked to do so. This
> time, I got an error message "An error has occurred while attempting to
> set task account information. The specific error is 0x80070005: You do
> not have permission to perform the requested operation."
>
> What is causing these errors and how do I get past them? Any help
> appreciated.
>
> Lindsay Graham
> Canberra, Australia


G'day Lindsay,

Others have pointed out that a password protected user account will allow
you to "get past" the errors, but if you are the only user of your computer
and don't want to mess with a password, you can do this instead:

To access the Scheduled Tasks folder:
Start> (all)Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Scheduled Tasks
(or Control Panel> Scheduled Tasks)

On the Scheduled Tasks folder menu bar, click View, click Details

While scheduling a task, when you get to the window that says you
successfully scheduled the task, there is a checkbox to "Open advanced
properties for this task when I click Finish". If you clicked Finish without
checking that, (and ignore the error message,) you can still access the
Properties. In the Scheduled Tasks folder, right click the task you have
created and click Properties. On the Task tab, near the bottom, Checkmark
"Run only if logged on", (and click OK,) and the task should work without a
password, as long as your computer is turned on, and you are logged on,
(whether you are present at the computer or not.)

To test-run the task anytime, right-click the task and click RUN.

You can troubleshoot tasks, by clicking "Advanced" on the menu bar of the
Scheduled Tasks folder, and click "View Log." Scroll down to the bottom for
the most recent entries.

HTH. (Hope This Helps.
--Richard