FME Server Database Service Won't Start with Error 193: Not a Valid Win32 Application

Symptom

When starting or restarting FME Server using the Start or Restart batch scripts from the FME Server installation, you see the following error message:

System error 193 has occurred. *** is not a valid Win32 application.

Or, when starting the FME Server Database Service from Windows Services, you see the following error dialog:



 

Cause

This error can occur on Windows 8 when a file called 'program' is located on your SystemDrive folder (typically at C:/).

If FME Server is installed inside 'Program Files', the presence of a file called 'program' on the same drive will prevent Windows from being able to locate the executable needed to run the Database Service.
 

Resolution

Delete the file called 'program' from the SystemDrive. This will allow Windows to find the executable needed to run the Database service and allow FME Server to start up correctly.