Servers are closed when logging off PC

[SiCk FrEAk]

This is a great mod/plugin. However, I'm having one issue I can't seem to resolve.

I'm having a slight issue with Mean Loader when I logoff the computer, the server(s) are also shut down; but then the ML plugin restarts them back up (as if HLDS had crashed). In other words, when I log off the server computer and people are playing, they'll have to reconnect to the server. They get the message that they've been disconnected because the server is being shutdown. This happens on both Windows XP & Server 03.

Is there something I overlooked or some kind of workaround? Thanks.

Least of my problems but wondering if anyone knows a fix:
Even though the "window = show" in the .ini file, the consoles do not show up when logging onto the computer via Remote Desktop Connection.

[botmeister]

Originally Posted by SiCk FrEAk

I'm having a slight issue with Mean Loader when I logoff the computer, the server(s) are also shut down; but then the ML plugin restarts them back up (as if HLDS had crashed). In other words, when I log off the server computer and people are playing, they'll have to reconnect to the server. They get the message that they've been disconnected because the server is being shutdown. This happens on both Windows XP & Server 03.

Is there something I overlooked or some kind of workaround? Thanks.

What kind of server are you running? Is it a steam server, or a non steam server? For example is the server run from user@domain\counter-strike or another folder that is not under any of the steam folders?

Also, what happens when you log back in after the each HL server instance has restarted, then log off again - do the server instances shutdown again?

Least of my problems but wondering if anyone knows a fix:
Even though the "window = show" in the .ini file, the consoles do not show up when logging onto the computer via Remote Desktop Connection.

Unfortunately, a remote login won't show the console by default. There's probably a work around but I don't know of one myself. My guess is that there may be a security setting that will allow the console to appear. You can test it out to see if the console appears when you start the process from the remote session - I think it will.

[robbob4]

depending on where you are running the server, why dont you use/enable switch users, it will continue the proceses for that user and will allow you to go back or to log into theirs, with a lil lag though since almost double the processes will be running... [you can only do this, I think, if your using XP]

[SiCk FrEAk]

Thanks both of you for responding.

Originally Posted by botmeister

What kind of server are you running? Is it a steam server, or a non steam server? For example is the server run from user@domain\counter-strike or another folder that is not under any of the steam folders?

I'm running the stand-alone version of the Steam server (the one that installs to C:\HLServer, not the C:\Program Files\Valve....).

Originally Posted by botmeister

Also, what happens when you log back in after the each HL server instance has restarted, then log off again - do the server instances shutdown again?

The servers are not restarted at any logon. They are restarted at every logoff.

Originally Posted by botmeister

Unfortunately, a remote login won't show the console by default...

Thanks, I'll play around with RDC some more, but I have other ways to access the server where the consoles do show up.

Here is what my MeanLoader.ini file looks like (-all the info above):

[Settings]
ServiceName = (mEAn) Server Loader
RestartInterval = 30000

[Process_0]
AppName = C:\HLServer\hlds.exe
StartDir =
CommandLine = -game czero -console
StartPause = 15000
StopPause = 5000
Window = show
Paused = No
AutoRestart = Yes
Priority = high

[Process_1]
AppName = C:\HLServer\hlds.exe
StartDir =
CommandLine = -game tfc -console
StartPause = 15000
StopPause = 5000
Window = show
Paused = No
AutoRestart = Yes
Priority = high

All of the Command Line variables are in the Autoexec.cfg (just FYI, all these work fine)

port 27015
noipx
maxplayers 32
localinfo
map de_dust
secure
rcon_password 000

Only difference is that the map is '2fort' and a different port for the TFC server. Also, that's not the real password, so don't get excited visitors.

Originally Posted by robbob4

depending on where you are running the server, why dont you use/enable switch users...

You're right; switch users does work with Windows XP. However, this server will be residing on Win Server 03. I was using an XP box until I'm able to migrate it over to Server 03. However, you can't switch users using a remote connection util, but 'disconnect' (which still keeps the servers active) does about the same thing. You can't 'disconnect' from Server 03 like you can with XP.

[botmeister]

The "switch" between users is only available for Windows XP (and up).

XP or not, I'd like to figure out why the sick freak's processes are shutting down because they should not do that.

[SiCk FrEAk]

Originally Posted by botmeister

XP or not, I'd like to figure out why the sick freak's processes are shutting down because they should not do that.

Something else I just noticed, maybe it might help you, maybe not. When I changed the line in the meanloader.ini to "Window = hide" the console windows still appear (even after a restart).

I did this to see if hiding the windows would keep the servers running when I logged off. Seeing that the console windows still appear, my guess is that either Windows and / or HLDS are ignoring some of the commands that MeanLoader is sending to them.

You'll guys will be able to tell me because I've done very little programming (I just work in systems support). So I can only tell you what I'm seeing and go to you guys and see what ya think.

Edit (I'm just listing some troubleshooting steps I've taken, maybe that'll spark an idea):
On the "Properties" page in the "Services" Snap-in, assigning the (mean) service to log on using another account (XYZ account) also closes the servers at log off of the Admin account.

[botmeister]

I'll have to digest this a little longer, but a quick comment is that if you have any mapped drives that exist only when logged in, that may be a reason for a server shutdown when you log off because the mapped drives will dissapear. However a problem with mapped drives should only happen if the drives are being used by the apps which are shutting down.

The "Window = hide" thing is a known problem that I'm working on. I may (and I stress may) have a solution. I'm just about to give it a test and I hope my server won't crash and burn ...

[SiCk FrEAk]

Originally Posted by botmeister

I'll have to digest this a little longer, but a quick comment is that if you have any mapped drives that exist only when logged in, that may be a reason for a server shutdown when you log off because the mapped drives will dissapear. However a problem with mapped drives should only happen if the drives are being used by the apps which are shutting down.

I disconnected all network drives on both XP & 03, still does the same thing.
I even tried running the (mean) service in Windows 2000 (fresh install) on Virtual PC, and that too shuts down the servers when I logoff.

Originally Posted by botmeister

The "Window = hide" thing is a known problem that I'm working on. I may (and I stress may) have a solution. I'm just about to give it a test and I hope my server won't crash and burn ...

That's OK. This is a non-issue for me. I was just trying other options to try and fix my problem and noticed that this setting didn't work.

[botmeister]

I know the server loader works fine on windows 2000. There's either a security setting to change or perhaps it has to do with the type of application you are running. I have had trouble with some apps that won't work unless manually launched.

What is Virtual PC? Is that the app you are trying to load?

Is the service logging in as "Local System Account"? If so, what are the security settings for that account?

What happens when you restart your Win XP/2K server? Does the loader launch all the apps OK in the background with no one logged in? If so, then what happens when you log in, then log back out, do the apps shut down in that case?

Finally, did you set the Windows server to automatically log you in on start up, or does it take you to a log in prompt?

[SiCk FrEAk]

Originally Posted by botmeister

I know the server loader works fine on windows 2000. There's either a security setting to change or perhaps it has to do with the type of application you are running. I have had trouble with some apps that won't work unless manually launched.

I donno what to tell you there. All I can tell you is the Windows 2000 was a base, clean install with the default settings.

Originally Posted by botmeister

What is Virtual PC? Is that the app you are trying to load?

Virtual PC is an application that allows you to run multiple Operating Systems on one workstation (basically running multiple PCs on one PC). Many companies use this app for testing, configuring, and checking for compatibility before they push out an app to all the companies' workstations. It's not a boot manager or anything like that. You run VPC from your host operating system and you can run any version of Windows you want (and even a few other OSes). http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx

I have been using Windows Server 03 (because that will be the OS ServerLoader will ultimately be installed and running on) and Windows XP on Virtual PC. All clean installs with the default settings from factory CDs. I do, however, have an actual Windows XP computer I've been using as a temporary server and I've also been using it for testing my HLServer config. Everything I'm telling you has been replicated on multiple operating systems and on two different computers.

I'm running VPC on my main desktop's host operating system. So I'm not at all trying to get MeanLoader to run VPC.

Originally Posted by botmeister

Is the service logging in as "Local System Account"? If so, what are the security settings for that account?

The Mean Server Loader is logging in as "Local System Account." As for permissions, it's whatever the defaults are. I don't even see username or group called "Local System Account" in Computer Management.

Originally Posted by botmeister

What happens when you restart your Win XP/2K server? Does the loader launch all the apps OK in the background with no one logged in? If so, then what happens when you log in, then log back out, do the apps shut down in that case?

Going into Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services. The Service name "(mean) Server Loader" startup type is 'Automatic.' I shutdown my Win Server computer and reboot. Once Windows Server finishes booting up, the HLDS servers do startup without anyone logging on (I also see the servers in the LAN tab in the Steam app of my XP computer). I can then log on to the Win Server computer and the HLDS server console windows show up and have been running fine. Then I click Start -> Log Off -> Log Off, the HLDS servers are also closed as Win Server is returned to the Log on screen.

At this point, the XP computer with the Steam app then says 'There are no servers running on your local network.' If I wait a minute or so, the HLDS servers reappear (restarted).

Also, if I am playing on the XP computer, when I log off of Win Server, in the upper right it says "WARNING: Connection Problem." If I wait a min (allowing time for the HLDS server to restart) and then type "`" to bring up the game console and type "reconnect," I then reconnect to the server without a problem. I can also logon to the Win Server computer again, and still remain in the game.

Originally Posted by botmeister

Finally, did you set the Windows server to automatically log you in on start up, or does it take you to a log in prompt?

I have to do some sort of logon to all of the operating systems. For '03, that is CTRL+ALT+DEL, using the Administrator account, and typing in my password. For the XP PCs, it's clicking my name in the Welcome screen and entering my password.

Thank you.