Unable to start service

[WhiteRider]

Have you read all my replies above, and done everything I suggest?

[Buzzillion]

I'm having the same problem so I wanted to put the log in a zip file but I couldn't find the folder " C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.3\data\pg_log". I found C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.3\data\pg_clog and C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.3\data\pg_xlog but when I open them my computer doesn't know what program to use to view them. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[WhiteRider]

Have you had this working before?
Do you have a PT3 database that you need to keep?

I think you may need to re-install postgres, but if you have a DB you need to keep, you need to back it up first.
Database / Postgres FAQ
Total uninstall/reinstall of pt3

[Buzzillion]

No, this is my first time with both Poker Tracker and Postgress. I had just downloaded Pokertracker 3 (free trial) and when I opened it, it started the installation of Postgres. When it got to the end, it couldn't open Postgres and gave me the error message referenced earlier in this thread. I had no choice but to cancel the installation of postgres, and since it wasn't completed it automatically deleted everything it had just installed from Postgres (not Poker Tracker 3). I rebooted, and then opened PT3 again, it tried to install Postgres again. Before it could do so, it told me to delete a Postgres file that was still on my computer. I did this, and so it started installing Postres again, only to have the same thing happen - when it got to the end of the installation, it tried to open it but couldn't. It gave me the same error message as before, so I had to cancel the installation again which caused it to delete everything.

My computer uses Windows XP home edition and my antivirus software is Avast 4.8 if that matters. Any suggestions?

[WhiteRider]

Yes, it could be the AV.
Please follow the directions in this thread (note that you can just use the Build 3 with postgres installer, you don't need to install postgres manually).
Total uninstall/reinstall of pt3

[Buzzillion]

I'll try to uninstall and reinstall like you said and let you know how it goes. Also, I think I was using the PT3 with Postgres installer, because I didn't try to manually install Postgres, PT3 did it on it's own when I opened it for the first time (after it asked my permission first). I don't know if this changes anything, but I thought I should mention it.

[WhiteRider]

The PT3 with postgres installer should be fine.
There used to be an issue for some people on Vista, but that shouldn't be a problem any more now that the postgres version included is updated.

[Buzzillion]

Okay. I uninstalled and then reinstalled PT3 with Postgres Installer and had the exact same problem when it tried to install Postgres. As it go to the end of the installaiton, and it tried to start the Postress service, I got the same error message as before (which is listed earlier in this thread).

I have no idea what to do, but I would really like to start using this service. If you could help me, I would greatly appreciate it. Is it possible to use it without Postgres? Is there a solution for me or am I just not able to buy your product?

[WhiteRider]

Try disabling your antivirus while you install - some of them don't seem to like postgres, and I *think* I remember Avast being one of them.
Also, you need to make sure your firewall is allowing it - postgres needs full access to port 5432.

[dbender]

I'm having the same issue. I've tried installing PT3 with Postgres on two computers, with the same result: Unable to start Postgres service. Check that you have permission to start services. (paraphrased)

I've tried everything I've found here on this forum: "snoozed" my antivirus program, opened port 5432 on my firewall, looked for a password.pid file (did not exist), uninstalled Postgres and PT, deleted both folders, deleted the postgres user (using net user /delete postgres), restarted Windows and tried again. Same result every time.

I checked the pg_log folder and every file has these two identical lines (except for date, time, and pid number):

2008-10-18 17:56:03 CDT LOG: startup process (PID 280) exited with exit code 1
2008-10-18 17:56:03 CDT LOG: aborting startup due to startup process failure

What do I do now?