is it possible to crate a batchfile (or any file, doesnt have to be dos!) that will open internet explorer every 10 or so days, go to hotmail.co.uk and sign me in to stop my account being closed if I don't go in fo a while? the answer is probably no, but its worth a tryInteresting question. I've heard other posters mention AutoIt
which is mainly for the Windows GUI. You may be able to come up with something.

If you only need to show activity, you could write a Windows Script to send an email thru the Hotmail SMTP server.

Either way you would setup a scheduled job and naturally leave the system on.

Hope this gives you some ideas. Thanks,
Being a total fool and being an accomplished plebian (me no like BIG words >ug< ) i feel embarassed to say that i didn't understand most of that message, especially in my tender years! as far as i could guess, using mine finely honed instincts, the second option sounded the best (well, actually because the first option made a SLIGHT whistling noise as it wooshed over my head) but there is are problems..
A) I don't know what windows script is
and
2. I wouldn't know how to use it anyways...
and
Y) I actually have to log in to hotmail
could you please explain in stupid-common-ignorant-peasant terms what all the above involves? i would be really grateful.

thanks
ps sorry about all my dos-related messages, its just that on a new machine like mine (oooo...shiny), its a right bugger to get working properly.
pps my elbow really hurts as well.This little snippet works on my machine:

Code: [Select]
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run "E:\Mozilla\FireFox\firefox.exe http://m02.mail.netscape.com/MessageList.aspx"
WScript.Sleep 5000
WshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
WScript.Sleep 5000
WshShell.SendKeys "yourname"
WshShell.SendKeys "{TAB}"

WshShell.SendKeys "password"
WshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"

WScript.Sleep 7000
WshShell.SendKeys "%{F4}"
WScript.Quit


I use Firefox with Netscape mail. You will have to make changes accordingly. Also fill in your screen name and password.

The best way to do this is write down every keystroke you make to sign in to Hotmail and then change the script above to mimic your actions.

Save the script with a VBS extension and schedule thru Windows.

Good luck. Thanks,
thios is probably a stupid question, but what do i run this program from??
also, i can't find the loacation of ms internet explorer on my computer. XP is probably hiding it from me...
You can do a search for iexplorer.exe. Most likely it's in: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"

Be sure the HTTP address in the snippet points to your HOTMAIL signon screen.

You can run it by double clicking the file in Windows Explorer or from the command line as: cscript myscript.vbs Once it's working you can drag and drop the file in the scheduler and set the run details.

Hope this helps. so far it looks like this:

Code: [Select]Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run "c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplorer.exe
http://www.hotmail.co.uk"
WScript.Sleep 5000
WshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
WScript.Sleep 5000
WshShell.SendKeys "[emailprotected]"
WshShell.SendKeys "{TAB}"

WshShell.SendKeys "thisisafakepasswoerd"
WshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"

WScript.Sleep 7000
WshShell.SendKeys "%{F4}"
WScript.Quit

but I get this error message:

Code: [Select]script: C:\documents and settings\alpha\my documents\mailsched.vbs
line: 2
char: 64
error: unterminated string constant
code: 800A0409
source: MICROSOFT VBScript complication error

Considering I have never done this before, I think I'm getting closer!
any help and i would be really grateful.Your first two lines should be one long line or keep them as two lines by using an underscore after the text on the first line.

Code: [Select]
WshShell.Run "c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplorer.exe _
http://www.hotmail.co.uk"


You can delete the first SLEEP and ENTER statements. I had to put them in because Netscape pops up a message telling me I'm not signed on.....awfully nice of them, eh?

Play around with this especially the sleep times (in MILLISECONDS) BASED on your actual experiences.

Good luck.