Hello Josh,

in a Windows environment you need to start dsmserv in foreground using the 
parameter "-k"
Try to run from commandline (so called DOS box):

dsmerv.exe -k server1 

(server1 is usually the first TSM instance name)

You need to cd to the instance directory where dsmserv.opt resides, first.
I've also found problems starting dsmser in the foreground if "C:\program 
files\tivoli\tsm\server" is part of the program path (there might be 
another dsmserv.opt in this path which is located/read before your 
instance option file).

best regards

Ullrich Mänz
Data Center Services

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