NwSapAgent Service Will Not Start with DiscPort CD-ROM Tower

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you install NwSapAgent on a Windows NT Server computer that has a DiscPort CD-ROM tower attached, the NwSapAgent service will not start and the following errors will appear in Event Viewer:

   Event ID: 7023
   Source: Service Control Manager
   Description: The Sap Agent terminated with the following error:
                The service has not been started.

   Event ID: 8504
   Source: NwSapAgent
   Description: The description for Event ID "8504" in source "NwSapAgent"
                could not be found.

CAUSE

The DiscPort CD-ROM tower software loads as a service in Windows NT. When the DiscPort service starts prior to NwSapAgent, NwSapAgent fails to start. When attempting to start NwSapAgent after the Windows NT Server computer is running, the service will still fail to start.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, the NwSapAgent must be started prior to the DiscPort CD-ROM tower service. Use Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) to change the DiscPort service to start after the NwSapAgent, as follows:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe), and locate the following subkey:

       HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MTDPServices
   

2. From the Edit menu, click Add Value. Type DependOnService in the Value Name field. Select REG_MULTI_SZ for the Data Type. Type NwSapAgent in the String field, and then click OK.

3. Quit Registry Editor.

4. Shutdown and restart your computer.