# Intermittent failure: No directory specified for PsTools installation

**URL:** https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/intermittent-failure-no-directory-specified-for-pstools-installation/3654
**Category:** Bugs
**Created:** [December 29, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/intermittent-failure-no-directory-specified-for-pstools-installation/3654 "2016-12-29T05:39:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![bruce\_at\_ds](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@bruce\_at\_ds](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/bruce_at_ds)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/intermittent-failure-no-directory-specified-for-pstools-installation/3654/1 "2016-12-29T05:39:03Z")

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Windows 10   
 Continua 1.8.1.229   
 FinalBuilder 8.0.0.1937   
 MS SQL Server 2016   
  
 We are getting intermittent failures when running build scripts with the following error: No directory specified for PsTools installation.   
  
 I was unable to attach a sample log file (“File type not allowed.”), so I’ve pasted it below.   
  
 The appropriate FinalBuilder option is set. That is, Tools - Options - Windows OS - PsTools Options, PsTools installed directory is set to C:\Program Files (x86)\PsTools.   
  
 This error is intermittent. Most of the time the build works fine. But 2-3 times a day the above error occurs. It seems to happen more often on triggered builds (repository trigger), but can also happen on user instigated builds.   
  
 Sample log file follows:   
  
 12:08:40 PMStage: Build   
 12:08:41 PMServer To Agent Workspace Sync   
 12:08:41 PMStarted syncing files from the server[BNELAN-MTBM01] to the agent [BNELAN-MTBM04]   
 12:09:03 PMFinished syncing files from the server [BNELAN-MTBM01] to the agent [BNELAN-MTBM04].   
 12:09:03 PMContinuous - Delphi 10   
 12:09:03 PMParameters   
 12:09:03 PMWorking Directory: C:\ContinuaCI\CI\_AWS\Ws\67235\Source\FinalBuilderScripts   
 12:09:03 PMExecutable: C:\Program Files (x86)\FinalBuilder 8\FBCMD.exe   
 12:09:03 PMArguments: -nb -vp -v:ConsoleBuild=“True”;Configuration=“Continuous”;FBServerStartedBy=“Continuous Integration Trigger”; C:\ContinuaCI\CI\_AWS\Ws\67235\Source\FinalBuilderScripts\BuildMailBagInOut.fbp8 -!:C:\ContinuaCI\CI\_AWS\Ws\67235\ContinuaContext.xml   
 12:09:03 PMEnvironment Variables   
 12:09:03 PMNo environment variables specified   
 12:09:08 PMValidation failed.   
 12:09:08 PMValidation errors in Target: StopCopyStart   
 12:09:08 PMAction : Stop Service   
 12:09:08 PMPsTools Options : No directory specified for PsTools installation. Click here to correct.   
 12:09:08 PMValidation errors in Target: StartService   
 12:09:08 PMAction : Start Service   
 12:09:08 PMPsTools Options : No directory specified for PsTools installation. Click here to correct.   
 12:09:08 PM   
 12:09:08 PM   
 12:09:08 PMExit with return code: 11 (VALIDATIONERROR)   
 12:09:08 PM   
 12:09:08 PMFinalBuilder action failed with exit code 11.   
 12:09:08 PMAgent To Server Workspace Sync   
 12:09:08 PMStarted syncing files from the agent to the server.   
 12:09:08 PMFinished syncing files from the agent to the server.   
 12:09:09 PMArtifacts Registration   
 12:09:09 PMStarted registering artifacts   
 12:09:09 PMFinished registering artifacts

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### Author: ![Vincent](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/user_avatar/www.finalbuilder.com/vincent/32/938_2.png) [@Vincent](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/Vincent)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/intermittent-failure-no-directory-specified-for-pstools-installation/3654/2 "2016-12-30T05:28:42Z")

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This suggests FinalBuilder wasn’t able to read the settings from the C:\ProgramData\VSoft\FinalBuilder8.ini file. Which user does the agent run under? Do you have more than one agent? If so make sure it’s set by running up finalbuilder on all agents.   
  
 Also, on all agents, make sure the continua ci agent user has access to the finalbuilder ini file.

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### Author: ![bruce\_at\_ds](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@bruce\_at\_ds](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/bruce_at_ds)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/intermittent-failure-no-directory-specified-for-pstools-installation/3654/3 "2017-01-04T11:11:26Z")

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Hi Vincent,   
  
 We found the problem. One of our build machines had a configuration issue. The problem only occurred when a build ran on that machine. All fixed now.   
  
 Thanks for your help.   
  
 Regards,   
 Bruce

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### Author: ![Vincent](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/user_avatar/www.finalbuilder.com/vincent/32/938_2.png) [@Vincent](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/Vincent)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/intermittent-failure-no-directory-specified-for-pstools-installation/3654/4 "2017-01-05T01:58:31Z")

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Thanks for letting us know. Are you able to share the actual configuration issue, would be useful for future reference for us and other users?