Installing Windows Service for HMTS Next

Summary

The NEXT software uses a custom Windows service to handle all serial and network communications.  This service is always running with windows.  If this service is not installed or not running the software will not communicate with any equipment.  If the service is available but not operating please see the Windows Service Instructions.  

The Service Action tool can be used to check the status of the Humboldt service and can be found in the Windows Start menu or can be opened through the Humboldt Message Console.  The Service Action tool requires administrative privileges/elevation to operate correctly.

If the Service Action tool shows ERROR in the service status and the Start/Stop options are disable or the Humboldt Next Service is not listed in Windows Services desktop application please see Installing NEXT Windows Service for installation instructions.

The Humboldt NEXT Windows service is listed within the Windows services with this name "HMTS Message Server".

Procedure

Checking Status of the NEXT service with the Service Action Tool

1. Right-click on the Humboldt Message Icon in the system tray () and select View Console (double-clicking on the icon has the same effect).
2. Select the Help tab.
3. Click Manage Service; if required you will be prompted to enter administrative privileges.
4. The service tool will open and indicate ERROR if the service is NOT installed, the Start option will be selected if the service is started, and the Stop option will be selected if the service is installed but not running.  Please see the Windows Service article for instructions for starting the NEXT service if it is installed but stopped.

    5. Close the service tool.

If the NEXT service is not running the software can be uninstalled and the installed again.

Installing the NEXT service

The NEXT message service can be reinstalled through Windows File Explorer. To activate NEXT Message Service, please follow the instructions listed below: (Please note that administrative rights are required to do this.)

1. Open Windows File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the NEXT installation folder; this is typically C:\Program Files\HMTS Next\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\HMTS Next\).
3. Once in the HMTS Next installation folder select the MessageServer folder.
4. In the MessageServer folder, double click on the Message_Server_Install file.
5. Once complete go to the HMTS Message Service Wizard again and verify that the service is now running.
6. If the service is installed correctly you will see the phrase "Service Status: Running" in the HMTS Message Service Wizard.

   7. Close HMTS Message Service Wizard.