How to debug the .NET Windows Service OnStart method?

Question

I have code written in .NET that only fails when installed as a Windows service. The failure doesn\'t allow the service to even start. I can\'t figure out how I can step int

Answer 1

I know this is late but this is how we handle debuging Windows services

First create a class which will act as the service.

Add the appropriate methods for starting, stopping, pausing, etc...

Add a windows form to the service project.

In the service code create the service class created above and make the calls needed to start and stop the service in the ServiceBase class

Open the Program.cs and add the following

#if DEBUG
    [STAThread]
#endif
    static void Main()
    {
try
        {
#if DEBUG
            Application.EnableVisualStyles();
            Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
            Application.Run(new DebugForm());
#else
            ServiceBase[] ServicesToRun;
            ServicesToRun = new ServiceBase[] 
        { 
            new YourWindowsService() 
        };
            ServiceBase.Run(ServicesToRun);
#endif
        }
        catch (Exception e)
        {
            logger.Error(DateTime.Now.ToString() + " - " + e.Source + " - " + e.ToString() + "\r\n------------------------------------\r\n");
        }
}

When you run in DEBUG mode the windows form will launch. Just remember to build in Release mode when finished. Of course the conditional compile variable can be anything you like. You could even create seperate projects so the debug form is its own project.

Hope this helps