Automatically shut down server

[Good Companion]

I'm got a home server running WinXP Home that I use to share files and the printer. Currently, it runs 24/7. I'd like to have it shut itself down late at night and then restart the following morning. I'd like to do this both to save energy and give the computer a periodic shutdown.

I set up a scheduled task using shutdown.exe. That command works if I run from the run menu and the scheduled task works if I run it.

This morning, the server was on before it should have turned itself on (from the settings in the bios). I'm thinking that it may not have shut down the night before because after the first shutdown and restart, the server will stop at the login screen. I'm assuming that since no one is logged in, the computer has not been running the scheduled task.

Does that sound right? Any way around this, i.e., shutting down on a schedule even if the computer is at the login screen?

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Hi,

What are the options you've got configured in your 'shutdown' script/command/task..?

One thing to just check is whether the scheduled task has the "run even if nobody is signed in" box...as it won't work if you aren't logged in..

Also, have you recently changed the password used by whatever account the script is set to use......?

[nemowolf]

You could do a remote shutdown command from another computer that does run 24/7 using powershell ...

[Good Companion]

Hi,

What are the options you've got configured in your 'shutdown' script/command/task..?

One thing to just check is whether the scheduled task has the "run even if nobody is signed in" box...as it won't work if you aren't logged in..

Also, have you recently changed the password used by whatever account the script is set to use......?

Here's what the shutdown command looks like:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\shutdown.exe -s -t 60 -f -c “Daily Shutdown”

I've not changed the password. The only box regarding running if no one is signed on is "Run only if logged on" and that is NOT checked.

[Good Companion]

You could do a remote shutdown command from another computer that does run 24/7 using powershell ...

True, but my goal is for the computer to do it for me.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Here's what the shutdown command looks like:



I've not changed the password. The only box regarding running if no one is signed on is "Run only if logged on" and that is NOT checked.

What happens if you open your Scheduled Tasks panel, right-click that, and select "Run now"..?
(Sorry if my words don't match what they are in XP, but I haven't used that for a while)


What should happen, if it still likes the settings (which look fine) is that it should power down after a one minute [as per the command] delay...

[Good Companion]

If I select "run now", the computer shuts off after 60 seconds. However, if I am logged off (the server has accounts enabled to protect it), it does not shut down. Double checked that last night.

[nemowolf]

True, but my goal is for the computer to do it for me.

perhaps i wasnt clear. The only thing you would need is a computer to be on and to start a script that run in the background like a service that awaited a set time to send the shutdown command to your server. In addition, if you got creative with it, you could potentially find out how to send a wake on network command to the servers nic so it would turn back on. Powershell does require you to double-click, press enter or what ever but can run entirely autonomous and behind the scene.

I have personally created scripts that rebooted a server used for specific functions, tested to see if the services required were running, sent an email report with stats on how long it took to reboot and if there were any errors and then move to the next server in my list so i know that the functionality is there if you want to use it.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

perhaps i wasnt clear. The only thing you would need is a computer to be on and to start a script that run in the background like a service that awaited a set time to send the shutdown command to your server. In addition, if you got creative with it, you could potentially find out how to send a wake on network command to the servers nic so it would turn back on. Powershell does require you to double-click, press enter or what ever but can run entirely autonomous and behind the scene.

I have personally created scripts that rebooted a server used for specific functions, tested to see if the services required were running, sent an email report with stats on how long it took to reboot and if there were any errors and then move to the next server in my list so i know that the functionality is there if you want to use it.

I think you're missing the point that they were trying to make - they want all their computers to be off...so therefore there wouldn't be another computer that is on to run the script...

[Good Companion]

When I first read nemowolf's post, I thought the same thing. When he explained further, I realized we have an ancient Win2k laptop in the kitchen that runs 24/7 for looking up phone numbers, etc.

So, how would I run this script or alternatively, what I am missing with shutdown.exe?

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

I'm not 100% whether W2k has the relevant shutdown that would work on the newer OS levels, but you would need to use a "-m \\<target_computer>" tag in the command.

Try it out by from the other machine, type in "shutdown /?" and you'll see all the available options and some examples...

[nemowolf]

I'm not 100% whether W2k has the relevant shutdown that would work on the newer OS levels, but you would need to use a "-m \\<target_computer>" tag in the command.

Try it out by from the other machine, type in "shutdown /?" and you'll see all the available options and some examples...

If powershell installs on it ... it will work. You can google how to run remote commands on a computer in your network as well.

[Good Companion]

If wikipedia is correct, powershell won't work on Win2k. Back to the drawing board.

Windows PowerShell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Have you tried using the shutdown script from the W2k machine to the XP 'server' yet..?

[Good Companion]

I did, but it did not work. I have no doubt I may have gotten the syntax incorrect. However, when I typed in shutdown.exe /?, I got a command not found message. Can you shoot me the full correct syntax and I can try again?

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Hmmm....if it says that "command not found" then it means that the shutdown EXE file isn't known on your computer.

I've got a guide that I'm in the middle of updating on my sub-site, let me update it later, and maybe that will help.......

[GroundZero3]

Download Free Windows 2000 Resource Kit Tools

You can get the shutdown.exe from the Windows 2000 Resource Kit tools

[Good Companion]

Sorry for the late reply; it took me a little effort to get shutdown.exe on the laptop. I tried to do the shutdown of the server remotely and got the "Initiate System Shutdown failed" error. I tried to shutdown locally and the command worked (I got the "do you really want to shutdown" message). I'm wondering if I need to create a user account on the laptop that matches the admin account on the server in order to have the command go through.

[GroundZero3]

Yup, since you arent part of a domain the remote computer has no idea who you are or what premissions you have to its system operation