Task Scheduler does not work

Question

I have a Dell 2400 running XP Home SP2.        Out of curiousity, I thought I'd try using the Scheduled Tasks program.  Added programs like Disk Cleanup but it doesn't work at all.  Keep getting error messages such as 0x80041310 and 0x80070005 and wording like....'Unable to establish existence of the account specified.'  I changed my user account name back to the original word 'Owner,' but that didn't help.  I'm also prompted to type in passwords, even though I don't use any with my XP account.  However, I made up some passwords, but still continue to get the errror messages and the tasks do not run.  Is there anything that can be done about this?

HackifiHav2 · Answer

I'd like to see the answer also, experience the exact same problem.

lawnmowerguy · Answer

I visited a couple of Microsoft websites that discuss these error messages, but nothing helped.  One site suggested I could fix the problem by contacting Microsoft to obtain a 'hotfix', but was advised not to try this unless it was absolutely necessary and to wait for the next service pack.  My XP setup is very simple: no log-in passwords and only one user account.

Denny Denham · Answer

Lawnmowerguy,

It sounds as though Windows is confused by the account being used to schedule Disk Cleanup. To remove any possible confusion, create a new administrator account with a password. Log on in that account and set up the task using the procedure shown here.

lawnmowerguy · Answer

Actually, I may have solved this perplexing glitch. After creating the scheduled task, an error message window pops up saying the newly created task probably won't work. Ignore that, and double-click on the task you just created. Click the 'Task' tab, and place a checkmark where it says...."Run only if logged on."

Now the tasks will run....at least they do on my computer. Only problem with Disk Cleanup is that the program launches now, but it doesn't automatically clean up anything. It waits for me to click the "OK" button. This is the same with most programs that require an extra step, such as the Real Player update program. Is there a way to remedy that?

Message Edited by Lawnmowerguy on 02-25-2005 04:21 PM

chuket · Answer

As to automate Disk Cleanup, here is MS's way to do it:   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;315246   And an easier explanation of the above:   http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Automate.htm

lawnmowerguy · Answer

Thanks for the links.  However, I don't understand why Microsoft makes it so complicated with XP.  With Windows 98 and ME, none of those steps are necessary when Disk Cleanup is run thru Task Scheduler.

Windows General

Task Scheduler does not work

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