I am having the same problem as experienced in http://www.thescripts.com/forum/thread422776.html
Here's a short excerpt of that discussion:
========
> But after a few days, when I tried to continue with my tests.
> I cannot start the postgresql service. I always get this
> message windown when I try to start the service:
>
> "The postgresql service on the local computer started and
> stopped. some services stop automatically if they have no
> work to do, for example the performance logs and alerts services"
>
> The service starts and stops automatically and I cannot to
> work with pgsql.
>
> PS: I have translated (get from internet) the text message
> window because I have my system in spanish language.[/color]
This looks a lot like the postmaster.pid issue. Look in your DATA
directory, and remove that file if it exists.
If not, then it's a different issue. In this case, edit the
postgresql.conf file and set log_destination to include eventlog, then
look at eventlog output. (This is an issue with the installer that will
be fixed in the next beta release)
===========
This user was successful in solving the problem by deleteing the postmaster.pid file. I did a search on my Vista PC, and that file does not exist.
I'm guessing that this is an issue with Vista and PGsql wanting to write to the Program Files filder.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Rocky