Python Windows service executable runs only in Debug, not in Start

Question

I'm trying to make a Windows service using python and started by using this service example. As a script it works, it gets installed, it runs when given the Start flag. But for portability reasons, I want to create an executable file from which the service can be run, so I used cx_Freeze to do so (code below - I know there are some extra packages there, but that doesn't affect the process, or at least I don't think so).

from cx_Freeze import setup, Executable
import os
import sys

PYTHON_INSTALL_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.__file__))
os.environ['TCL_LIBRARY'] = os.path.join(PYTHON_INSTALL_DIR, 'tcl', 'tcl8.6')
os.environ['TK_LIBRARY'] = os.path.join(PYTHON_INSTALL_DIR, 'tcl', 'tk8.6')
base = None
if sys.platform == "win32":
    base = "Win32GUI"


executables = [Executable(script="PythonCornerExample.py",
               targetName="PythonCornerExample.exe", base=base)]

packages = ["time", "datetime", "os", "sqlite3", "win32timezone"]

options = {
    'build_exe': {
        'packages':packages,
        'include_files': [
            os.path.join(PYTHON_INSTALL_DIR, 'DLLs', 'tk86t.dll'),
            os.path.join(PYTHON_INSTALL_DIR, 'DLLs', 'tcl86t.dll')
         ],
    },
}

setup(
    name = "PythonCornerExample",
    options = options,
    description = 'Bla bla',
    executables = executables
)

Running the service using the new executable file now only works if I use the Debug flag and I can't figure out why. When using the Start flag it doesn't do anything, and if I try starting it from Windows Services, I get the "The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion." error.

I have added the path to the executable to PATH in System Variables, I run cmd as administrator, I have copied pythoncom36.dll from the pywin32_system32 folder to the win32 folder in python's site-packages, I gave permission to users in Registry Editor..

If there is anything you think I missed, please share!

I'm running python3.6 on a Windows7 and I'm using cx_Freeze 5.1.1.

UPDATE:

If this will give you a clue: when running the script (install/start/stop) I get some feedback like "Installing service" or "Starting service". When I run the executable I get no such feedback.

Which version of cx_Freeze are you using?

jpeg
– jpeg

2019-01-14 07:07:01 +00:00
Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 7:07 — jpeg
– jpeg, Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 7:07
I'm using 5.1.1

Bibushka
– Bibushka

2019-01-14 07:54:24 +00:00
Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 7:54 — Bibushka
– Bibushka, Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 7:54

jpeg · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-14 12:47:51Z

0

Please have a look at the cx_Freeze Windows service sample: it looks like you have to use base='Win32Service' as well as a different project structure.

You might still need some additional modifications to make it work with Python 3, see Python 3 executable as windows service.

EDIT: maybe this: Having several issues with a Python service for Windows (built with pyinstaller) is also useful.

edited Jan 14, 2019 at 12:47

answered Jan 14, 2019 at 12:27

jpeg

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5 Comments

Bibushka Over a year ago

I have just tried the pyinstaller solution and i get the exact same result: error 1053 when using Start, starts when using Debug. Using base='Win32Service' renders the error "The program can't start because cx_Logging.cp36-win_amd64.pyd is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem".

jpeg Over a year ago

@Bibushka I guess the comment by ZachM to this answer might help.

Bibushka Over a year ago

Well, now there's nothing happening. I used the Win32Service base with cx_Freeze, the service wouldn't even get installed. I used pyinstaller, it got installed but got error 1053 again when started, but started when using Debug.

jpeg Over a year ago

Well, I don't know how I could help further, sorry. Have you looked at this Microsoft hotfix and at this thread?

Bibushka Over a year ago

I have tried pretty much everything that google spits out when searching for windows services built from python code. I have tried logging the steps the executable takes when running in start mode and it stops at this line hscm = win32service.OpenSCManager(machine,None,win32service.SC_MANAGER_ALL_ACCESS) in the "win32serviceutil.py" file. I can't go any further into the code because the function's signiture is unknown. Maybe this is a further clue? I'm just at a loss right now, I'm trying everything and anything

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