HOWTO: How to Use the StartService API Within a Service

• Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API), used with:
  • Microsoft Windows NT versions 3.51, 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 2000

SUMMARY

In the Win32 API Help file, it mentions that you cannot call the StartService API from within a service. This statement is not totally correct. It should say that you cannot call the StartService API from within a service while it is initializing.

An initializing service is a service which has not yet reported to the Service Control Manager a status of SERVICE_RUNNING. Once the service is running, you can use the StartService API within the service.

MORE INFORMATION

If your service is initializing due to a dependency or the SERVICE_AUTO_START flag, and your service attempts to start another service, a deadlock state in the Service Control Manager may occur. The reason this occurs is because the call to StartService API blocks because the Service Control Manager has a lock on the service control database from the original initializing service.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbKernBase kbWinOS2000 kbService kbDSupport kbGrpKernBase
Version : winnt:3.51,4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbhowto