Check Service Status on Remote Machines

8195564 · 2018-05-29T12:54:45.000Z

I have the following script to check for the status of a service on remote machines:

$computers = get-content D:\DATA\computers.txt

foreach ($computer in $computers) {

$wuauservstart = get-service -Name “wuauserv” -ComputerName $computer | select starttype
write-host “The Windows Update Service for $computer is set to $wuauservstart”

}

When I run it, the script seems to keep the status found for the first machine and use that for $wuauservstart

For example:

"The Windows Update Service for machine1 is set to manual

"The Windows Update Service for machine2 is set to manual

I know the service for machine2 is set to disabled but it’s not showing correctly.

Neally · 2018-05-29T13:16:29.000Z

If you post code, please use the ‘Insert Code’ button. Please and thank you!

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING! Read if you're new to the PowerShell forum! Programming & Development

Hi, and welcome to the PowerShell forum! Don’t apologize for being a “noob” or “newbie” or “n00b.” There’s just no need – nobody will think you’re stupid, and the forums are all about asking questions. Just ask! Use a descriptive subject. Don’t say “Need help” or “PowerShell Help”, actually summarize what the problem is. It helps the rest of us keep track of which problem is which. Don’t post massive scripts. We’re all volunteers and we don’t have time to read all that, nor will we copy…

Neally · 2018-05-29T13:24:42.000Z

There is a chance it can not connect to the second machine and then does not update the variable.

$computers = get-content "D:\DATA\computers.txt"

foreach ($computer in $computers) {
    try {
        $wuauservstart = get-service -Name "wuauserv" -ComputerName $computer -ErrorAction Stop | 
            select -ExpandProperty starttype
        write-host "The Windows Update Service for $computer is set to $wuauservstart"
    }
    catch {
        write-warning "Unable to get status from $computer"
    }
}

DoctorDNS · 2018-05-30T16:26:26.000Z

If Get-Service could not connect to the remote machine, it should have generated an InvalidOperationException. But that was not what was being thrown.

My sugestion is to use PowerShell debugging and stop at the line:

$wuauservstart = get-service -Name "wuauserv" -ComputerName $computer | select starttype

At that point, try to see what the get service command returns.

Also, I’d probably write the code differently:

$WuauServStart = Get-Service -Name "wuauserv" -ComputerName $computer
Write-Host "The Windows Update Service for $computer is set to $($WuauServStart.StartType)"

Using the sub-expression should be that little bit faster than forcing the pipeline to Select-Object.