Windows Reports That RAM Services Do Not Start or Stop in a Timely Manner

[Product_Support]

Issue

Windows displays an error indicating that Remote Alarm Manager (RAM) services do not start or stop in a timely manner. This may occur during system startup, shutdown, or when manually starting/stopping the service.

Product Line

Satchwell BAS & Sigma, TAC Vista

Environment

Remote Alarm Manager (RAM)

Cause

This issue is typically caused by a corrupted or misconfigured RAM configuration file (setup.mdb). Reinstalling RAM alone does not resolve the issue if the configuration file remains unchanged.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Backup Configuration (if possible):

   • Launch the RAM Console.
   • Record or export the current RAM setup for reference.

2. Uninstall RAM:

   • Use the standard Windows uninstallation process to remove RAM from the system.

3. Remove or Archive Configuration Files:

   • Navigate to the Remote Alarm Manager installation directory.
   • Locate the setup.mdb file and either:
     • Delete it, or
     • Move it to a backup location for safekeeping.

4. Reinstall RAM:

   • Download and install the latest version of RAM (2.1.025 or newer if available).

5. Reconfigure RAM:

   • Use the previously recorded setup to reconfigure the system.
   • Ensure all settings are correctly applied and saved.

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Additional Notes

• This issue may also present as the service being stuck in a “Starting” or “Stopping” state in the Windows Services console.
• Always ensure you have a backup of your configuration before making changes.