The following bug has been logged online: Bug reference: 1239 Logged by: Martin Pollard
Email address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] PostgreSQL version: 8.0 Beta Operating system: Win32 Description: Stale postmaster.pid prevents server start Details: A stale or invalid postmaster.pid file in the postgres data directory will prevent postgresql from starting and not return an error to the service controller. Example shown below. ---------------------------------------------------- C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.0-beta1\data>net start "postgresql database server 8.0-beta1" The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service is starting. The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service was started successfully. C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.0-beta1\data>net stop "postgresql database server 8.0-beta1" The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service is stopping. The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service was stopped successfully. C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.0-beta1\data>type CON > postmaster.pid 123455 fish 4433 C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.0-beta1\data>net start "postgresql database server 8.0-beta1" The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service is starting. The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service could not be started. The service did not report an error. More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3534. C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.0-beta1\data>del postmaster.pid C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.0-beta1\data>net start "postgresql database server 8.0-beta1" The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service is starting. The PostgreSQL Database Server 8.0-beta1 service was started successfully. ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 5: Have you checked our extensive FAQ? http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faqs/FAQ.html