Run Styles

PageGate can be configured to run in three different styles, depending on the operating system that is on the PageGate computer: Application, Windows 9x (95 or 98) Service, and Windows NT Service.

Here are the differences:

Application - This style will run on either Windows 9x or Windows NT. PageGate is started and stopped just like any other program. PageGate can be automatically run at startup by putting a shortcut to it in the Windows startup group. The disadvantages to this style, is that if the Windows 9x computer is configured to show a login screen at startup, PageGate can't automatically start until someone logs onto the computer.

Windows 9x service - This style will run only on a Windows 95 or 98 computer. This style is the same as the application style with the exception that PageGate is automatically started each time the computer restarts (prior to the login screen).

Windows NT service - This style will run only on a Windows NT, 2000, or XP computer. This option will run PageGate as a true NT system service. Like other services, PageGate will startup even if the computer is just sitting at the Windows NT login screen. Here are a few important notes regarding running PageGate as an NT system service:

1. When switching the run style to an NT service, you will be prompted for a user account and password for PageGate to use to log itself in. You can leave both these fields blank to use the local computer's System Account (as long as PageGate's doesn't need to open files on another computer). Otherwise, choose an account that already has 'Log on as a service' and 'Administrator' rights (before switching). The administrator account does NOT have the 'Log on as a service' right by default. You must add this right manually to the user account you intend to use. Follow these instructions to give an existing account 'Log on as a service' rights:

a. Click on 'Start' > 'Programs' > 'Administrative Tools' > 'User Manager'.

b. From the menu choose 'Policies' and then 'User Rights'.

c. Check off 'Show Advanced Rights'

d. Choose 'Log on as a service' from the drop-down listbox.

e. Click the 'Add' button

f. Choose the user account you will be using for PageGate.

g. Click 'Add' and then 'OK'

h. Click 'OK' again

i. Click 'Quit' and then quit out of the User Manager program

2. If you change the password on the account that PageGate is using, you must update it for each of PageGate's services too. You can use the 'Services' utility from the Windows control panel to do this, or you can switch PageGate to run as an Application and then back to run as a NT service, so you will be re-prompted for the account information.

3. The account you choose to use with the PageGate service must have sufficient rights to access all directories setup in PageGate for its various functions (i.e. program files, database directory, log files, interface directories, etc…).

4. Like many services, PageGate may not be completely started before you log in and get the Windows desktop. Be patient. On computers that load several services, it can take several minutes for all the services to start.

5. In the Windows NT 'Services' utility (found in the control panel), you will see several PageGate services installed. ONLY the one labeled 'PageGate' is set for automatic startup. This is by design and should not be changed.

6. Starting or stopping PageGate when it is running as a service can take several minutes, especially if it is in the middle of transmitting messages to a carrier. Please be patient.

7. You can easily start or stop PageGate's services be clicking on the pager icon in the system tray, and choosing 'Start' or 'Stop' from the menu.

8. If you are running PageGate's modules across more than one computer, each computer will run the 'PageGate' service along with the specific module(s) setup to run on that computer. In other words, there should only be a single instance of any module running, with the exception of the 'PageGate' service (which will be running on every computer).