The system cannot find the path specified

[RickObsitnik]

Hey All

I'm receiving the following error when trying to start a newly created sde service:L

[INDENT]The ArcSde Service(<service name>) service failed to start due to the following error:
The system cannot find the path specified.[/INDENT]

Here's the command used to create the service:

[INDENT]sdeservice -o create -p <box admin password> -H "c:\program files (x86)\arcgis\arcsde" -i <service name> -d SQLSERVER,<SQL Server hostname\instance> -u <domain acct to run service>  -P <domain acct password> -s <DB name>
[/INDENT]

I'm assuming the path specified is the SDEHOME.  Sound right?  If so, it's correct.

[VinceAngelo]

If you check your service properties, you might find that the "path to executable" is invalid.

I almost never use the -H option, because I always explicitly set SDEHOME and PATH
before invoking 'sdeservice':

set SDEHOME=D:\ESRI\arc100sql32-sp0\ArcSDE\sqlexe
set PATH=%SDEHOME%\bin;%PATH%
sdeservice -o create ...

I also avoid spaces and special characters in my SDEHOME directories, even though it
shouldn't make a difference (old habits...)

- V

[RobertRenner]

Somewhat related to this thread I'm trying to set my SDEHOME variable but unfortunatley SDEHOME is in Program Files directory and it looks like the space is causing the trouble.

E:\Program Files\ArcGIS\ArcSDE\ora11gexe

What are my options here?

[VinceAngelo]

1) Uninstall, then reinstall without spaces
2) Use the 8.3 name for Program Files (if available)
3) Use double-quotes around the string

- V