Unlike Windows NT, Windows 2000 has built-in service Recovery functionality that you can configure.
To configure Recovery for a Service failure:
1. Start / Programs / Administrative Tools / Services.
2. Double-click the service that you wish to configure.
3. Select the Recovery tab. Your Recovery options are:
Take No Action, the default.
Restart the Service.
Run a File.
Reboot the Computer.
NOTE: The above options are available for the First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures.
4. Regardless of the Recovery option you choose, you can Reset fail count after n days.
5. If you select Restart the Service, you may configure Restart service after n minutes.
6. If you select Reboot the Computer, you may press Restart Computer Options and configure the number of minutes prior to restart and a network alert message.
7. If you select Run a File, you must enter a program and file to run, and may enter optional command line parameters. If you wish to run a batch file, enter:
forcedos.exe <Drive:>\Folder\FileName.bat.
If you wish to run a Visual Basic script, enter:
wscript.exe <Drive:>\Folder\Script.vbs.
If you wish to run a Java script, enter:
wscript.exe <Drive:>\Folder\Script.js.
8. Press OK and close the Services snap-in.
NOTE: Recovery functionality requires very little overhead, as it monitors Event Log entries as apposed to polling service status.
