Interpreting Result and Return Codes

To interpret return codes, you can use a tool such as Err.exe, which you can obtain from the Microsoft Download Center. Err.exe parses source-code header files until it finds a match for the error. In this regard, the Scheduled Tasks service in Windows Vista still functions quite similarly to previous versions of Windows. Return codes from events that occur internally are always translated into hresult code. For example, the logon failed event will contain a result code that can be interpreted as a hresult. Task handler tasks also return result codes that you can interpret using the same tools.

However, when an executable is started and fails for an unknown reason, you have no way of knowing what the result code might mean. The hresult logged in the event log will typically indicate the value returned to the service from the executable itself, and additional research and documentation may be required for accurately interpreting the code.

Note You can download Err.exe from the Microsoft Download Center at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=be596899-7bb8 -4208-b7fc-09e02a13696c. Although this tool is called the Microsoft Exchange Server Error Code Lookup tool, it actually looks up any Windows operating system error codes.