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DW Spectrum - Automatic Startup for DW Spectrum

Updated

Automatically Run DW Spectrum Server at System Startup

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Affected Roles:  Administrator, Power Users

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps:  DW Spectrum Professional

Last Edit:  February 6, 2026

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Automatic Startup

By default, DW Blackjack Servers are manufactured to automatically start the DW Spectrum Media Server and DW Spectrum Tray Assistant programs upon system startup. This is done with the assumption that the DW Blackjack unit will be solely used as a server for a DW Spectrum system and to mitigate any unexpected downtime that the unit may experience in the event of sudden power loss.

In some rare cases, the DW Spectrum Media Server program may not start normally on a Windows or Ubuntu OS.  This is usually involving the Windows timeout utility that strictly runs all planned services after the operating system starts. However, if Windows cannot start a service in a timely manner, the service will be omitted by the OS.  Alternatively, this issue may also occur following a major OS update.  For example, upgrading from Ubuntu 14.04 to Ubuntu 16.04 or from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

This article will outline how to re-enable the DW Spectrum Media Server to automatically start upon system startup.

 

Enabling Automatic Startup for DW Spectrum Media Server

Windows OS Systems

To re-enable automatic startup for Windows OS:

  1. Open the WStart menu and search for the “Services” application.

 

  1. In the Services (Local) list, locate the “Digital Watchdog Media Server” service.

Right-click on the service and select “Properties”.

 

  1. In the Properties window, locate and change the “Startup type” setting from “Automatic” to “Automatic (Delayed Start)”.

 

  1. Click the “Apply” button to save the changes, then close the Properties window and Services window.

 

Linux/Ubuntu Systems

Like the Windows OS, Ubuntu/Linux systems are equipped with utility tools that can be utilized to make system adjustments. 

To use the Command Terminal to re-enable the automatic startup:

  1. Open the Ubuntu Command Terminal utility.

This can be done by pressing the hotkeys CTRL + ALT + T.

Alternatively, you can search for the “Terminal” utility using the Unity menu from the taskbar.

 

  1. In the Command Terminal, use the command:

systemctl enable digitalwatchdog-mediaserver.service

 

  1. An authentication prompt will display.

Enter the system Administrator password, then click the “Authenticate” button.

  • Default rootadmin ID:  dwuser
  • Default rootadmin Password:  Dw5pectrum

 

**NOTE:  For older DW Blackjack units purchased prior to June 18, 2021, the previously utilized default Linux OS login was “admin/admin”.

 

 

 

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For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com | www.digital-watchdog.com

Rev: 06/25                              Copyright © DW. All rights reserved. Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.                            

 

 

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