PsService is a service viewer and controller for Windows. Like the SC
utility that's included in the Windows NT and Windows 2000 Resource
Kits, PsService displays the status, configuration, and dependencies
of a service, and allows you to start, stop, pause, resume and restart
them. Unlike the SC utility, PsService enables you to logon to a
remote system using a different account, for cases when the account from
which you run it doesn't have required permissions on the remote system.
PsService includes a unique service-search capability, which
identifies active instances of a service on your network. You would use
the search feature if you wanted to locate systems running DHCP servers,
for instance.
Finally, PsService works on both NT 4, Windows 2000 and Windows Vista,
whereas the Windows 2000 Resource Kit version of SC requires Windows
2000, and PsService doesn't require you to manually enter a "resume
index" in order to obtain a complete listing of service information.>
Installation
Just copy PsService onto your executable path, and type "psservice".
Using PsService
The default behavior of PsService is to display the configured
services (both running and stopped) on the local system. Entering a
command on the command-line invokes a particular feature, and some
commands accept options. Typing a command followed by "- " displays
information on the syntax for the command.
Sets the start type (disabled, auto, demand) of a service.
start
Starts a service.
stop
Stops a service.
restart
Stops and then restarts a service.
pause
Pauses a service
cont
Resumes a paused service.
depend
Lists the services dependent on the one specified.
security
Dumps the service's security descriptor.
find
Searches the network for the specified service.
\\computer
Targets the NT/Win2K system specified. Include the -u switch with a username and password to login to the remote system if your security credentials do not permit you to obtain performance counter information from the remote system. If you specify the -u option, but not a password with the -p option, PsService will prompt you to enter the password and will not echo it to the screen.
How it Works
PsService uses the Service Control Manager APIs that are documented in
the Platform SDK.
This module discusses the role of operating system services and how to troubleshoot issues that restrict functionality. This module also discusses resolving issues with signing in to Windows.