Documentation forKiwi CatTools NG

Automatic service start up and service dependency

This topic applies to KCT NG 2026.2 and later. If you are on KCT 3.12.7 or earlier, see legacy topic.

When KCT NG is installed on a server as a service, the program is set to start automatically when your system is restarted or booted. This occurs even if a user is not logged in to the console.

Service dependencies

Under the majority of operating systems, the KCT NG Service starts without issue. On some servers, the KCT NG Service must wait for another system service to load before KCT NG can start. In this case, the KCT NG service fails to load if it is dependent on another service starting first.

If KCT NG is not loading, a service dependency may be the issue. One of the following events may occur after rebooting:

  • An error message is displayed: One or more system services failed to start.
  • The KCT NG Service fails to start even though the startup type for the service is set to Automatic.

To test your system for service dependency issues, check the status of the CatTools Service using the services manager:

  1. Go to Start > Run.
  2. In the dialog box, type services.msc.
  3. Click OK.
  4. Locate the SolarWinds Kiwi CatTools NG Activity Scheduler service and verify the status is set to Running.

If your service status has not started, then your issue is potentially caused by a service dependency. For more information on service dependencies, see Adding Service Dependencies.

Adding service dependencies

You can add a service dependency by two methods:

  1. Recommended: Modify the Windows registry to create a new value, listing the dependencies. This value can then be applied every time the CatTools Service is created on the system, such as if you upgrade or reinstall CatTools to your system. This is a "permanent" fix.
  2. Use sc.exe to create a dependency specifically for an existing service. If the service is deleted, for example if CatTools is uninstalled, then the dependency is also lost.

Registry Keys and values

Registry Key Value name Value
HKLM\SOFTWARE\SolarWinds\Kiwi CatTools InstallRoot Install path
HKLM\SOFTWARE\SolarWinds\Kiwi CatTools Version Your version of KCT NG
HKLM\SOFTWARE\SolarWinds\Kiwi CatTools InstallType Service or application