Windows service not showing up in service manager

Question

I wrote a WindowsService application using C# on .NET 3.5, there I used a project installer and set up program to package the application.

When I installed this, it worked well, succefullyt installed and event viewer says it success. When I goto add/remove Programs on the contro pannel there it shows the applicaiton to remove.
BUT, this is not showing up in the Service Manager.. Can someone please help me to fix this?

NOTE: I have tested this applicaion through a test clinent application (Windows Forms app) and there I didn't find any issues.

Thx

 

 

Answer 1

Try to install the service manually by running InstallUtil.exe:

%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\InstallUtil.exe [YourSvc.exe]

If this succeeds, than you have a problem with your setup project that needs to be investigated. If the command fails use the logging switches of InstallUtil to get more information. 

Answer 2

Thx Marcel,

IstallUtill was able to add the service to the service manager...
Noe I'm loking at the installer project to isloate the issue.

Appreciate your advice...

Answer 3

Ok, so what was the root cause? Win Services drive me batty everytime. I too have ran installutil.exe and successfully installed the service but when running my setup project with the service as the Primary Output, no go.

Have you found the cause?

Answer 4

After a couple hours of research, here's what I've found and I am sure this is a bug in VS2008 (since there's like 500 bugs related to Windows Services anyway).

Just to be clear, the symptoms are: 1) from the command prompt, InstallUtil YourService.exe installs the service and it shows up properly in the Services MMC Snap-In. 2) a setup project with the Primary Output set to your service project and it does NOT show up in the Services Snap-In.

Check that your setup project contains these four Custom Actions. If you right click the setup project, open the View | Custom Actions menu item. You should see Primary output from YourService under all four of the Custom Actions: Install, Commit, Rollback, and Uninstall.

Are these supposed to get done automatically when you add the service project as the Primary Output? If anyone knows for sure, PLEASE post something here.

If those four actions don't have the Primary output..., then you can manually add those to each of the Custom Actions nodes. In the Custom Action viewer, r-click each of the nodes, click Add Custom Action..., select Look in: Application Folder, then select the Primary output from... your service.

This was super frustrating so hopefully this will help someone out. Again, please post any corrections to this analysis.

Answer 5

Thanks for posting such useful information, it solved my problem.

Answer 6

Check that your setup project contains these four Custom Actions . If you right click the setup project, open the View | Custom Actions menu item. You should see Primary output from YourService under all four of the Custom Actions : Install, Commit, Rollback, and Uninstall .

Thanks from another frustrated VS2008 user - adding the custom actions fixed it for me too.

Answer 7

many many thanks.it was like fruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutating for me ....

Answer 8

Thanks a lot Ruge...I was facing the same problem since days..

Answer 9

Thx Ruge for your valuable finding, highly appreciated it

Answer 10

Thanks! It worked !!

Answer 11

yikes... It was the same issue in VS2010... took me more than an hour... until I saw this post... why Microsoft didn't fix this in VS2008?

Answer 12

Hi Ruge,

Are these supposed to get done automatically when you add the service project as the Primary Output? If anyone knows for sure, PLEASE post something here.

The custom actions are *not* added automatically by Visual Studio. You'll have to add them manually as decribed in the MSDN documentation. Please refer to the topic "To create the installers for your service":

Visual Studio 2008 > Walkthrough: Creating a Windows Service Application in the Component Designer:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zt39148a(v=VS.90).aspx

Visual Studio 2010 > Walkthrough: Creating a Windows Service Application in the Component Designer:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zt39148a(v=VS.100).aspx

 

Marcel

Answer 13

Hi, Ruge!

Originally I had the same problem with my Windows Service not being listed under Services.  Then I read your reply to this question (Windows service not showing up in service manager).  I followed the instructions therein, rebuilt the setup project and executed the MSI.  The install failed...  something about a missing InstallState file.  The install was automatically backed out.  Then I rebuilt the setup project and executed the MSI again.  The install failed again...  this time Error 1001.  The specified service already exists.  I can't uninstall because the install failed.  How do I remove this service?

Answer 14

Hi, Ruge!

I found out how to remove a Windows Service.  Simply type sc delete <Windows Service> at the command prompt.

I tried to install the Windows Service again...  I got the original error message: Error 1001.  Could not find the file '<Application Folder>\<Windows Service>.InstallState' (twice).

How is this InstallState file created?

Answer 15

Hmmmm, have not dealt with InstallState. Sorry, doesn't ring a bell for me.

Be aware of the full Windows Service development lifecycle in Visual Studio. See Marcel's suggested links: 

Visual Studio 2008 > Walkthrough: Creating a Windows Service Application in the Component Designer:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zt39148a(v=VS.90).aspx

Visual Studio 2010 > Walkthrough: Creating a Windows Service Application in the Component Designer:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zt39148a(v=VS.100).aspx

You should eventually be able to simply right-click the setup project within the solution and select Install and Uninstall from within VS's Solution Explorer.

Answer 16

Hi Ruge,

Thanking You for help. now its work......... wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Answer 17

Try to install the service manually by running InstallUtil.exe:

%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\InstallUtil.exe [YourSvc.exe]

If this succeeds, than you have a problem with your setup project that needs to be investigated. If the command fails use the logging switches of InstallUtil to get more information. 

Hey,

I have try below formula but can't success..

%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\InstallUtil.exe [YourSvc.exe]

What should I do now.

let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

[e-mail]

Answer 18

IMHO, I believe this is Microsoft's way of "fixing" a defect without fixing the defect.  ;-)

Answer 19

IMHO, I believe this is Microsoft's way of "fixing" a defect without fixing the defect.  ;-)

Really Useful  Ruge!!

Thanks From Vilas Mahalle

Answer 20

Thanks so much for this help....It really helped me :)

Answer 21

You can use MSIZAP T <test.msi> and it will remove all registry entries etc for you. You can read more here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa370523(v=vs.85).aspx     It is installed by default on windows7 run as admin g'luck

Answer 22

Hi turttleZipper,

You are apparently replying to a posting that is about one year old.
(So, please, don't be disappointed if the O.P. doesn't get back to you.)

Just as a side note: Msizap.exe and Msicuu2.exe are no longer supported by Microsoft. 
You now can use the program install and uninstall troubleshooter available here:

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/program_install_and_uninstall/en-us

Marcel

Answer 23

Thanks...just a newbie so forgive me please ;-)

Answer 24

No problem.

Answer 25

Thanks!!! That helped.  I have been trying to figure this out for a couple hours!!!

Answer 26

Thank For your post ... It is really good information .

Santosh Jha