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What is the best place to go to find how to effectively understand how to use variables in DOS batch files? Other than the basic %1, %2, etc. examples, it's difficult to find MUCH good information.

Specifically, I'm a bit confused on the multiple % signs used with variables. Sometimes you just see ONE, and other times you'll see %% or %%. I get the system variable thing, but it's STILL confusing with all of the variations and specifics for those variations. It would be nice to learn about the more complicated aspects, such as when to use what variables with which special coding needed for each and where to use them.

If possible, I PREFER getting the information on where to find the answer, rather than just be given the answer...I find I remember things much easier if I have to do a little research myself. It also helps in becoming a resource for others...if I truly understand the answer, rather than just repeat what I've been told, I can help others much better than I could if I were just tossed a quick bit of code. Does anyone have a reference that might be a good starting point to learning these intricacies (online is much better than book learning, as cost is an issue)?Online, I have found Allenware to be one of the best. You'll need some serious time to finish the entire course.

If you have access to a library, Microsoft used to publish DOS manuals for each version of DOS.

You can also type Help at a command prompt to get a LIST of batch and DOS commands valid on your machine. By typing command-name /? you will get information specific to each command.

Also try the Help and Support feature of most Window machines.

There is a wealth of information on the web; you should have no trouble finding information.

Good luck. 8-)

Can I get NTFS SUPPORT under DOS 6.22?Yes I believe that you can

AlmnYou may be able to use a third PARTY utility to access NTFS files under Dos 6.22 but not directly. While a NTFS SYSTEM can access files created in a Dos environment, Dos does not recognise the NTFS.

What are you TRYING to achieve :-?You can use NTFS - Dos. The free Version can only read NTFS Partitions.
The commercial Version is can also write NTFS - Partitions, but is not really cheap.

hope this helps
uli I'm trying to defragment my HDD. WINDOWS wont defragment the core system files because they are in use. I look more than 75% of the speed of my computer because of the fragmentation. I want to make a DOS Boot floppy/boot CD so that I can use it to defragment my HDD and ALL the files. I used the same technique to defragment my FAT/FAT32 computer.I do not believe this will work. Its ok I can use another HDD with Win2k installed on it to defrag the main one. (And my wife thought I was crazy for buying two copys of all my software )

Can DOS be used to look at a directory in another PARTITION? If so, how can I do this?
I have a P3 with a 20G C DRIVE for o.s. and a 20G D drive for data files. A few years ago I set up drive C with 3 partitions using Partition Magic. 2 partitions run WINDOWS 98 and the other has Windows 2K. I wanted internet activity on a separate partition from the programs I use for audio editing. It looks like Partition Magic does not give "partitions" new drive letters.
Recently some files became altered in a Win 98 partition & I would like to use DOS in the healthy WIN98 partition to look at files in the unhealthy Win 98 partition. And maybe copy from one to the other. I know - it sounds dangerous but there's a few things I'd like to TRY before I throw away the HD.

Thanks,
Look N Learn Quote

It looks like Partition Magic does not give "partitions" new drive letters.

Recently some files became altered in a Win 98 partition & I would like to use DOS in the healthy Win98 partition to look at files in the unhealthy Win 98 partition. And maybe copy from one to the other. I know - it sounds dangerous but there's a few things I'd like to try before I throw away the HD.

I am writing a batch file to open MSAccess, then open a specific DB. When this DB is opened a window pops up and I need to 'press enter', the BUTTON to be clicked is already highlighted when the window appears so after a pause or two what command is 'enter' or 'click'.

THANKS
I'm not aware you can do this in DOS batch. You could try this little snippet of VBScript:

Code: [Select] Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run "drive:\path\MSACCESS.EXE drive:\path\dbname.mdb"
WshShell.SendKeys "~" 'this is enter key
WScript.Sleep 2000
WshShell.SendKeys "~" 'this is enter key

Be sure to change drive, path, and dbname to something meaningful. Save the script with a vbs extension and run as wscript scriptname.vbs

GOOD luck. 8-)Right idea but it won't work. Thanks thoughSorry the little snippet won't work on your machine. I'm guessing that you have a DOS machine. VBScript RUNS on every version of Windows starting with Win 95C.

You might try QBasic or try Googling for an out of date DOS version of AutoIt (if they even made one). Other than that I can't recall a DOS scripting program that would work on your machine (I must be having a senior moment).

Good luck. 8-)OK, I got it working but I need the 'tab' key to be clicked first before the 'enter' key. How do I do that? I guess I just need the symbol for tab.The tab key is character 9 in the ascii table. It has no graphical representation, but depending on the application, may affect the visual display of text.

Without telling us which application you used, it's darn near impossible to determine how to get a tab key inserted.

Need more info. 8-)OK, I'm writing the vb file in notepad. I run it by double clicking icon testVB.vbs in C:\.
This is what I have:
testVB.vbs
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run "test.bat"
WScript.Sleep 1000
WshShell.SendKeys (TAB) //to tab from the cancel button to open button
WScript.Sleep 1000
WshShell.SendKeys "~" //clicks open button

test.bat
@ECHO OFF
START MSAccess "C:\path\file.mdb"

I want to open ACCESS and the DB, but a pop up window appears which is what I'm trying to get around. After I figure that out I will need to figure out how to write code to import a .txt file to the DB.

The TAB is what is not working, I have tried {TAB}, "TAB", (TAB), and different combos. I get an error with the first one and the others have no action. The enter works though ("~").


Well I'm sufficiently confused. In VBS the tab key would be WshShell.SendKeys {tab}

The comments in your code appear to be JScript. I have little experience with JS but you might try
WshShell.SendKeys ("{TAB}")

Good luck. 8-)
OMG that works, thank you so much. Now I get to work on the import part. Any suggestions???This link may give you some ideas: VBS Import

"OMG that works" doesn't really say much. I still don't really know if you using JS or VBS but in either case the general method is the same, the implementation may be different.

Happy Computing. 8-)

i want to make the date and time be the name of my output file LIKE this whta is wrong
Code: [Select]set/p file=Type default and the name will be test-date-time:
for /f "tokens=1-2 delims= " %%i in ('time /t') do set time1=%%i
if %file% equ default set file=file2
set file2=IPget-%date:~4,6%%date:~12,2%-%time1%
echo it worked>>%file%
any help???Well for ONE thing, the statements are incorrectly sequenced. You cannot use a variable (file2) before it has a value. You also need to reference it as a variable. The code below only fixes the sequence problem.

Code: [Select]set/p file=Type default and the name will be test-date-time:
for /f "tokens=1-2 delims= " %%i in ('time /t') do set time1=%%i
set file2=IPget-%date:~4,6%%date:~12,2%-%time1%
if %file% equ default set file=%file2%
echo it worked>>%file%

The other problem is that file2 has embedded forward slashes which imply a directory structure that does not exist. (IPget-05/14/06-03:44). I'll leave it to you to replace the slashes with dashes.

Keep up the good WORK. 8-)ok think you for that i didint think that the / in the date woould affect it Here is the complete LIST of illegal characters in a file name: / ? < > \ : * | "

Also add to the list any character you can create with the CTRL key.

8-)

I need a good tutoril on things with the :~4,5 like this %time:~3,5% i need to know how to use this please help Quote

I nees a good tutorils on things with the :~4,5 like this %time:~3,5% i need to know how to use this please help

ok great think you i get it now what would i do to get the help for things like %%i and %%g and %i

I did a quick search, didn't find what I needed, hope this isn't a duplicate...

I am looking to copy a file from "FileName" to " FileName" (replace with the actual FIPS date, e.g. 20060512, or any other date form that will work in the copy function). Is there any WAY to do this in DOS?

Thanks...That would depend on what version of "DOS" you have. This will work on some machines:

CODE: [Select]for /f "tokens=2-4 delims=/ " %%i in ('date /t') do (
copy filename.ext "%%k%%i%%j filename.ext"
)

DOS is an operating system. It also comes in emulated versions under Windows. Please be specific so we can zero in on a solution that will work for you.

8-)Worked like a charm, right out of the box! Thanks a million!

My apologies on not telling you it's XP, but worked like a champ.

On a second note, is there a simple modification that would just toss in the time of day as well (say military time to make it easy)? This would be great for multiple copies of the same file each day...Sloppy, but it will work. If you want military time, I let you add the logic to add 12 hours if the meridian is PM

Code: [Select]@echo off
for /f "tokens=2-4 delims=/ " %%i in ('date /t') do (
set yr=%%k
set mn=%%i
set da=%%j
)
for /f "tokens=1-3 delims=: " %%x in ('time /t') do (
copy filename.ext "%yr%%mn%%da% %%x%%y%%z filename.ext"
)

GOOD luck. 8-)Unfortunately, I'm stuck...

This worked to place the time on the file, but the %%z was null. %%y held both the minutes and the A/P. Say, for example, I removed the %%z altogether, it would still put the name of the file as (if the time it was copied was 12:28 PM) as 1228p.

If I were to just use the %%y (without the %%x), it would have it as simply 28p, with no way to separate out the p at the end. I am unaware of how to separate out the p on my own. Any clues? If you want to just tell me a place to go to find the answer, I'm more than happy to research it on my own...

Thanks!Another QUESTION would be:

is there Math functions in MSDOS, or will I have to create a list to use with logic?Best way to debug a FOR is inside out. I'm guessing the date part of this code works as advertised. TIME /T on my machine results in something like 04:51 PM Parsing this using : and space as a delimiter would result in three variables one holding 04, another holding 51 and the third holding PM. The example arbitrarily chose %%x as the first variable leaving %%y and %%z to hold the other pieces of data. End result should be %%x is 04, %%y is 51 and %%z is PM.

When the output file label is resolved the result should look like "20060513 0451PM filename.ext" without the quotes. This should have been your result.

To put the result in military time, you'd need to compare %%z with the literal PM and if equal, add 12 to %%x otherwise do nothing.

If you use SET with the /a switch you can do some simple math. Type set /? at any command prompt for details. Do not expect to find the value of pi.

Good luck. 8-)An alternative solution is to use the "system variables" %date% and %time% like this:

Code: [Select]for /f "tokens=2-8 delims=/:. " %%A in ("%date%:%time: =0%") do @set UNIQUE=%%C%%A%%B%%D%%E%%F%%G
echo.Unique=%UNIQUE%
echo.%date% %time%
echo.%date% %time: =0%Which returns:
Unique=2006010501060696
Thu 01/05/2006 1:06:06.96
Thu 01/05/2006 01:06:06.96

Ref:http://dostips.cmdtips.com/DtCodeSnippets.php#_Toc133425576
Hope this info is useful. Interestingly enough, I found where the discrepancy lies. If I type "time" and press enter, it gives me military time already, but prompts for a new time (e.g. 22:48:03.18). If I type "time /t" and press enter, it gives me a whole different time output (10:48p), but won't prompt me for a new time (which is absolutely invaluable in programming).

Not looking for an answer on this one...just giving more information.DosItHelp, that is an complete and total solution to the issue...thanks a million!

I can run the batch file multiple times, immediately one right after the other, and it will NEVER duplicate the same backup file. An absolutely genius solution...my overflowing gratitude for the flawless, above-and-beyond resolution.

whenever I TRY to do this in a BATCH file, start c:\documents and settings\me\desktop\file that I want
it doesn't pop up in a new window eventhough it WORKS on, start c:\windows\notepad.exe
I think it's the spaces but nomatter what i try nothing works.
Do you KNOW what im doing wrong?are you trying to open it from a command prompt or are you cactually clicking on the file???yes ,as far as I understand the problem is that you are not putting " 's around your path:

call "c:\documents and settings\me\desktop\file.exe"

THATS all

Almn

HI Guys,

Here is my question:

I need a .bat that ftp to a Pc, and UPLOAD a file.
Actually i don't know which is the command for use ftp automatically inside a batch file.
Also the "get" command, for PUT files is a mistery for me.

I already checked the old Topics, but i couldn't find something appropriate.

Thanks for help,
Have fun,
Riccardo if you type ftp -h on the cmd line , you can see an option -s:filename
you can create a file with all the ftp commands you need, save it, then CALL ftp -s:filename from inside your batch file.Hi gosthdog74,

what's the syntax for write the command inside the .txt file?

when i lunch my .bat i would connect via Ftp, how should i write the ip address, username & password?

i tried this but it doesn't work:

(i.e. username= user pwd=hello)

ftp 10.20.30.40 user hello
but the batch file returned this error: invalid command.


i also tried :

ftp 10.20.30.40
user
hello

but i had again "invalid error" message.

What i'm doing wrong?

Ciao
Riccardohave not done ftp using batch for some time
think its like this:
create a file with ftp commands and save it, say ftpcmds.txt:

open
user
pass
cd
get file
close
by

then create the batch job , save it and run will do..

ftp -s:ftpcmds.txt




Below an example that has the FTP script embedded at the end of the batch file.
More sophisticated examples are available here:

http://dostips.cmdtips.com/DtCodeBatchFiles.php

Hope this helps.

Code: [Select]@ECHO OFF
REM.-- Prepare the Command Processor
SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS
SETLOCAL ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION


rem --build the FTP script as <ThisFileName>.txt
set FtpScript=%~dpn0+.ftp
type nul>"%FtpScript%"
call:extractFromFile ##FtpScript##>>"%FtpScript%"


rem --Execute the FTP script
ftp -i -s:"%FtpScript%"
set title=Done


REM.-- End of APPLICATION
FOR /l %%a in (5,-1,1) do (TITLE %title% -- closing in %%as&ping -n 2 -w 1 127.0.0.1>NUL)
TITLE Press any key to close the application&ECHO.&GOTO:EOF


::------------------------------------------------------------------
::-- functions start below here
::------------------------------------------------------------------


:extractFromFile - extract lines from a file between begin and end mark
:: - %~1: begin mark, use '...$' mark to allow variable substitution
:: - %~2: optional end mark, default is end of file
:: - %~3: optional source file, default is THIS file
SETLOCAL
set bmk=%~1
set emk=%~2
set src=%~3
set /a b=-1
set /a e=-1
if "%src%"=="" set src=%~f0& ::- if no source file then assume THIS file
for /f "tokens=1,* delims=:" %%a in ('"findstr /n /b /c:"%bmk%" "%~f0""') do (
set b=%%a
set bmk=%%b
)
if /i %b%==-1 echo.ERROR: begin mark '%bmk%' not found in '%src%'&GOTO:EOF
if "%emk%"=="" (set /a e=2000000000) ELSE (
for /f "delims=:" %%a in ('"findstr /n /b /c:"%emk%" "%~f0""') do (
if /i %b% LSS %%a if /i !e!==-1 set e=%%a& rem -- find only the first one after b
)
)
if /i %e%==-1 echo.ERROR: end mark '%emk%' missing in '%src%'&GOTO:EOF
if /i %b% GEQ %e% echo.ERROR: end mark '%emk%' detected before begin mark '%bmk%' in '%src%'&GOTO:EOF
for /f "delims=: tokens=1,*" %%a in ('"findstr /v /n /b /c:"#$*ReturnAll*$#" "%src%""') do (
if /i %b% LSS %%a if /i %%a LSS %e% (
if "%bmk:~-1%"=="$" (
rem --substitution variables within %%b
call echo.%%b
) ELSE (
rem --no variable substitution
echo.%%b
)
)
)
GOTO:EOF


::------------------------------------------------------------------
::-- ftp script starts below here
::------------------------------------------------------------------


##FtpScript##$
open example.com
anonymous
[emailprotected]
^!: THIS IS A COMMENT
^!: Put your FTP script below here, e.g.:
^!: change the local directory to be the location of the batch file
lcd %~dp0.
^!: set the target directory
cd public_html/cgi-bin
^!: upload all xml files
mput *.xml
^!: end of FTP session
bye
Hi GUYS,

It work, here is my error, in the *.txt files i used this syntax

open <10.20.30.40>
user
pass

But the correct syntax is :

open 10.20.30.40
Myuser
Mypass

now it works SWEETLY, thanks so muck for help.
have fun GUYS.

Ciao
Riccardo

Hi I'm beginner nad I have several questions for Dos:
What is SET and for what i have to use this?
And for what is this % ?
goto?
:loop ?

Sorry for stupid questions

Hello,

I would like to KNOW how to changer my local computer name using MS DOS..
Thank You

AlmnIn MS-DOS? I'm not aware of a way. In Windows you can change the name by right clicking My Computer==>Properties. Click the COMPUTERNAME tab and change the computer description field.

If you change COMPUTERNAME in a cmd/command window, the change is valid for that session only.

You can change it permanently with a VBScript and I would venture to GUESS that this INFORMATION is also KEPT in the Windows registry.

Happy Computing. 8-)

How do you SET the results of a comand to be a variable like this

set com1= command hereYou need to parse the result of the command using FOR:

FOR /f "tokens=*" %%a in ('"command here"') do set com1=%%a

For more info about the FOR command type FOR /? or look here:
http://dostips.cmdtips.com/DosCommandRef.htm#FOR

Hope this helps! i need to set the output of this to com1

CODE: [Select]for /f "tokens=14-16 delims=:." %%i in ('ipconfig ^| FIND /i "IP address"') do echo %%i.%%j.%%kSometimes batch language is as simple as doing the obvious.

Quote

i need to set the output of this to com1

Hello,

I would like to know how to CREATE a batch that creates a list of all the files in the COMPUTER then write it in a txt file.

Thanks

Almnalmn,

The easy solution is:

@DIR /b /s C:\>List.txt

A more sophisticated solution can be found at [highlight]http://dostips.cmdtips.com/DtCodeBatchFiles.php[/highlight] under "[highlight]List of all Files[/highlight]":

Code: [Select]@REM....&SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS&SETLOCAL DISABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION
@REM....&set /p s=FileSearch, type '-' to refresh LOOKUP list: ||GOTO:EOF
@REM....&if .%s% NEQ .- echo.&findstr %s% "%~f0"&PAUSE&GOTO:EOF
@REM....&findstr /b /c:"@REM....&" "%~f0">"%~f0.txt"
@REM....&dir /s/b c:\ 1>>"%~f0.txt"&move /Y "%~f0.txt" "%~f0"
@REM....&GOTO:EOF
This batch appends a list of all files to the batch file itself and allows you to search the content or refresh the list afterwards.

8-)
Thank You, It works very WELL

Is it possible in a DOS batch file to check if an application (Powerpoint) is already running.

Each day we DISPLAY a Powerpoint (.pps) show ONTO a Foyer located PC with DETAILS of the days visiors and other general information. I want to schedule a batch file to open the PowerPoint show at 10:00 if it is not already open.

I know I could include the kill process and start it, but is there acheck command?The command TASKLIST displays the programs (& services) that are running -- filter the output to see if powerpoint is there

Grahamgpl's approach should do it.

However here is another approach based on a suggestion from
http://dostips.cmdtips.com/DtTipsCopy.php

It assumes that if a file is open then it can't be overwritten by the batch.

Code: [Select]set FILENAME=PowerPointFile
echo.N|copy /-y NUL "%filename%">NUL&&(
start /b "%filename%"
)
echo.N|copy /-y makes sure that the ovrwrite operation will be aborted properly.

DOS IT HELP?

How can I GET the size of folder C:\automation in a batch file???
Thanks!
I'm COPYING a directory and all it's contents to a new location, so I'm just trying to find a way to know when the copying is complete... so, if there's ANOTHER solution then I'm all for it. Thanks!Quote

I'm copying a directory and all it's contents to a new location, so I'm just trying to find a way to know when the copying is complete... so, if there's another solution then I'm all for it. Thanks!

How do i return the FIRST 3 incroments of an ip address example 10.10.10 when it usualy is 10.10.10.1 :-? :-? :-? :-? :-?
[size=72]PLEASE HELP[/size]This will probably work, though not very elegant.

Code: [Select]@echo off
for /f "tokens=14-16 delims=:." %%i in ('ipconfig ^| find /i "ip address"') do echo %%i.%%j.%%k

Judging from some of your posts, you might help yourself by getting a good DOS book from the library. You would help us if you POSTED if you have a DOS operating system, or a version of EMULATED DOS in Windows and which version of Windows.

8-)Quote

This will probably work, though not very elegant.

Code: [Select]@echo off
for /f "tokens=14-16 delims=:." %%i in ('ipconfig ^| find /i "ip address"') do echo %%i.%%j.%%k

Judging from some of your posts, you might help yourself by getting a good DOS book from the library. You would help us if you posted if you have a DOS operating system, or a version of emulated DOS in Windows and which version of Windows.

8-)

how would i make a batch FILE that looped and on each loop it makes a text file NAMED 1.txt then 2.txt then 3.txt (gets one # HIGHER on each loop) and so on and so on@echo off
cls
echo KallAngo&GT;zero.000
set/p quant=Qnt( 1 - 999999999999999 ) :
set contador=0
:loop
cls
set/a contador=contador+1
copy zero.000 %contador%.txt > null.null
Echo.
Echo %contador%
Echo.
if "%contador%"=="%quant%" goto 2
goto loop
:2
cls
del null.null
dir /l /b /ogn
Echo.
Echo Pronto
thank you It Work ?¿perfectlyIf you think that less is more then try this:

set /p quant=How many:
FOR /L %%a IN (1,1,%quant%) DO echo.dostips>%%a.txt

Is it possible to each TIME copy c:\a.txt into #+1 without erasing the original file ??

Thank You

Almn

Ive got 40$ to the person who finishes this correctly first, on my honor!!


Create a text File called STUDENTS.TXT with "student roster" in the root directory


Instructions: Create a batch file BATCH1.BAT that requires the user to pass his first name through to the batch program when he runs it.

Batch1.BAT will call a second batch file called Register.BAT which will
1. ask the user to choose which of three classes he wants to register for
class 1, class 2, class 3.
2. CHECK to see if he CHOSE class 1
a. if no, store a blank value in variable called ROSTER
return to the calling program.

b. if yes, check to see if a directory called CLASS 1 exists.
1. if it does exist, delete it then recreate it.
2. if it doesnt exist, create it.
3. Once directory CLASS1 is created, store the users name in the variable
ROSTER.

4. In Batch1.BAT, echo out to the screen the value stored in ROSTER

5. If the value is not a blank
1. Copy the file STUDENTS.TXT to the CLASS 1 subdirectory
2. Do a directory listing of the CLASS1 subdirectory, redirecting
the listing to a file called LISTING.TXT
END

I need BATCH1.BAT, REGISTER.BAT, and LISTING.TXT for my resultsRENTONTECHDUDE69!

Below the solution, it's a beauty!
It assumes that the file STUDENTS.TXT is in the current directory, which should be the same as where the BAT files are per default.


BATCH1.BAT
Code: [Select]@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS

SET /p USER=Please enter your first name:
CALL REGISTER.BAT
ECHO.ROSTER=%ROSTER%

IF "%ROSTER%" NEQ "" (
COPY "STUDENTS.TXT" "%USERDIR%.\">NUL
DIR "%USERDIR%.\">LISTING.TXT
)

PAUSE
REGISTER.BAT
Code: [Select]@ECHO OFF

:menuLOOP
SET ROSTER=
echo.
echo.= Register for a Class ===============================
echo.
for /f "tokens=1,2,* delims=_ " %%A in ('"findstr /b /c:":menu_" "%~f0""') do echo. %%B %%C
set choice=
echo.&set /p choice=Make a choice or hit ENTER to continue: ||GOTO:EOF
GOTO:menu_%choice% 2>NUL
GOTO:menuLOOP


::-----------------------------------------------------------
:: menu functions follow below here
::-----------------------------------------------------------

:menu_1 Class 1
SET USERDIR=CLASS 1
if exist "%USERDIR%.\" rd /s /Q "%USERDIR%.\"
md "%USERDIR%.\"&&SET ROSTER=%USER%
GOTO:EOF

:menu_2 Class 2
SET ROSTER=
GOTO:EOF

:menu_3 Class 3
SET ROSTER=
GOTO:EOF


LISTING.TXT
Volume in drive C is HP_PAVILION
Volume Serial Number is 0000-0000

Directory of C:\Web\bugs40\CLASS 1

04/22/2006 12:44 AM <DIR> .
04/22/2006 12:44 AM <DIR> ..
04/22/2006 12:40 AM 0 STUDENTS.TXT
1 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 88,322,592,768 bytes free


Keep your money, it was a pleasure come on... Is this a forum to help people, or to pay some workers which work for you. Why the *censored* should you be paid, DosItHelp :-? RENTONTECHDUDE69 - a thank you would be nice !!!! :-/Quote

RENTONTECHDUDE69 - a thank you would be nice !!!! :-/

how do i make this

IF enter_key is hit (
echo you hit enter
) ELSE (
goto :start
)
I'm not aware of a WAY to do this in batch code. REXX and VBScript have METHODS (charin(), and charAt(index) respectively) that you might put in a function. In general you have to convert each character you read from stdin to hex or decimal, check if it's the enter key, and then CONTINUE with your script.

Other script languages most likely also have functions to accomplish this.

Batch language is extremely limited and was not designed for scripting in any real sense. If you have a Windows machine, GOOGLE for script languages and choose one you like. Windows also comes with two FREE script languages, VBscript and JScript. Check the Help and Support on your machine for more info.

Good luck. 8-)

how do i get my BATCH FILE to display where it is LOCATED :-? :-? :-?is it poosible :-? :-?ECHO.%~dp0
/me

I am running batch FILES to create directories and backup selected files to those directories. The directories are named based on the date (ie. 09212005).

Is it possible to create a batch file to run and delete certain directories if they are say 15 days old? Somehow perform a less than compared to todays date.

An example WOULD be APPRECIATED greatly!

Thanks so much for your help.DOS batch does not do date arithmetic unless you are prepared to write a boatload of IF statements. Windows Script is an option but need more info. Are the directory names the actual dates created? and what version of Windows are you using?

Get back to US.

The folders would have a name such as:

09212005

and I am using Windows XP Prof, any help would be greatly appreciated. There isn't a utitily for windows that would do something like this is it?

Hi all,

I NEED to delete a column from an existing excel SHEET located in C:\myfolder path through DOS.

Appriciate your EARLY reply on this with code.

awating your VALUABLE suggestion.

Thanks,
vidu. just one column not the WHOLE thing? wouldnt it be easyer just to do it on excelQuote

Hi all,

I need to delete a column from an existing excel sheet located in C:\myfolder path through DOS.

I need to know how to DELETE a folder through DOS and BYPASS the confirmation command.
IE- "Are you SURE" Yes or No.

Thankyou.

Try using the pipe as in:

echo y | rd foldername

OR using redirection

Code: [Select]
echo y > response.dat
rd foldername < response.dat


Good luck. What folder?Quote

What folder?

I want to check to see if a user dir exists, if it does, I want to move the contents to another (mapped) drive. here is what I wrote

@echo off
if not exists %SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook GOTO :end

rem else

cd %SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook
copy *.* U:\outlook_Backup

:end


I've tried variations of this code and nothing seems to work. it ignores my if exists or if not exists... I heard that this command only checks for files and not folders as I originally thought, but I've tried this too. I assume it's something simple- help PLEASE!


TRY this with the NUL keyword and some WELL placed quotes.

Code: [Select]
@echo off
if not exists "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application\data\microsoft\outlook\nul" goto :end

rem else

cd %SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook
copy *.* U:\outlook_Backup

:end


Simple enough? Thank you for this help.. STILL not working.

I tried it and got ... "was unexpected at this time" from the command line prompt..




@echo off

if not exists "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook\nul" goto :end

cd %SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook
copy *.* U:\outlook_Backup

:end
Use both quotes and EXIST not EXISTS and forget about the NULL. I should have caught that earlier. :-/

Code: [Select]
@echo off
if not exist "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook" goto :end

cd %SYSTEMDRIVE%\documents and settings\%username%\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook
copy *.* U:\outlook_Backup

:end



Hope this is more better.

hi!

pls help. i need to COPY a FILE everyday to a different folder, then rename this copied file by appending the current date and time.

example:

copy filename.xls c:\newfolder\filename-datetime.xls

how do i do this?

thanks!Which OS are you using?
Pure Dos or Command line from which Windows VERSION?
That makes a BIG difference.

In generell you need the date, bring it in a variable which you can use for the new filename.

uliim using cmd on Windows XP.
im really not familiar with batch programming.

thanks in advance
Sorry I am not familiar with the xp cmd. Only with the NT cmd.
Try it on the Windows Forum. I am sure someone can give you a solution.


This is what I use. But in NT4.

The Date format the date /t command gives me is
Fr 23.09.2005. In the loop the it is filtered in: 23092005

FOR /f "TOKENS=*" %%a in ('date /t') do set date=%%a

echo %date:~3,2%%date:~6,2%%date:~9,4%


Good luck
uli

Hello,

I want to write a BATCH file that will add the domain admin group to administrators local group at each machines in my domain.

I wiil distribute this batch file with GPO.

This file will run with the logon-user's permission and most of the users arent local administrator [size=24]!!![/size]
Luckily I have 1 local administrator user in all the machine that CALLED "master"

I wrote this batch file:
------------------------------------------------------------------------

runas /user:master " net localgroup administrators /add "domain admin" "
------------------------------------------------------------------------

but then I must ENTER the password form this user.

how can i enter his pass to the batch file[size=24]?[/size]

I just want this command to be [size=16]RunAs[/size] master user.

I know how to do it with Impersonate in C# but i want to write it HERE.

Help me..........


Thanks for all:-)

ok i want to install my sims cd buut it wont let me it keeps saying (16 bit Windows subsystem C:/windows\system32\autoexec.nt. the system file is not sutible for running MS-DOS and microsoft windows applictions. choose 'close' tp terminate this appliction.) i dont EVEN noe WUT that meens!!!!!! i need help! You need to retrieve a good copy from the repair directory:

From a DOS prompt:

copy c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32

hi i am having the same problem with this ms dos thing, i cannot DOWNLOAD simple things like family tree or any games ,, how do i sort this out ?
regards
chrisPlease do not hijack someone ELSES thread. If you have the same problem, then the solution is the same as the REPLY to the original poster. If not the same problem, please post your own thread. c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32
ok so where do i put the code under ummmm run or wut?? help plz! for the above commentSidewinder has answered your question.
Quote

From a DOS prompt:

copy c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32

c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32
ok so where do i put the code under ummmm run or wut?

I've been struggling on this for a few DAYS and I finally found this WEBSITE... Maybe someone can help me.

Here's what I want to do:
From a CD(s) take the only file on it, (a .DAT file) and store that filename in a Variable... (btw, these are backup db cds, with time dated FILENAMES)

Sounds easy, but I'm completely lost.
I was trying to use DIR /B... But then I can't figure out how to store that in a variable.

I want to do something like:
SET FILENAME=('DIR /B G:/')

or SET FILENAME= < DIR /B G:/ (first file?)??If there is only 1 file then you don't need a loop.

I am giving that thing;
for /F %a in ('dir /b') do set variable=%a

ok, i have three questions. What is command prompt good for (what cool stuff can i do with it)? Is this what i use to see what old programs i have used? If not, TELL me how i can do that. And three, Does this tell me everything i have downloaded, and if not, tell me how i can see what i have downloaded.
thanks a bunch
mikeCommand prompt is a synthesized DOS. DOS used to be the operating system with Windows up to WIN98 running on top of it. Now Windows is the operating system, but command prompt can let you do some basic DOS like command line functions, i..e. dir GIVES you all the files in a directory as well as showing any lower level directories, copy a:\ c:\ copies the files from a floppy disk to your ROOT level directory, etc.

If you are not real command line savvy, there won't be much there to interest you (until you get in trouble)

The above question depends on what windows operating system is used for.You will need to use the command prompt if you WANT to automate somehting via scripting.

Otherwise you can do away with the command prompt.

I want to enter MS-DOS,when I play the "Start"--"Run"--"cmd", I enter MS-DOS,but in one or twe seconds it disappear from the SCREEN .Who can TELL me how to solve this PROBLEM ? Thanking you very MUCH!Scan for viruses and SPYWARES.

hey guys.

can anybody help me to CREATE a login SCRIPT for novell client 4.9.1.

i want to create a script that MAKES a log ofthe person that logs in and the time he does it.

also the FILE has to be safed as the user login name as .txt file.

thanx guys (and woman)!

I am trying to create a FILE with the time appended as a stamp (filenamehhmm), however when I use the following code, the system returns a 12-HOUR clock time
(1:57p) instead of 24 hour (13:57). I was able to remove the p by adding "a" and "p" to the DELIMITERS

for /F "tokens=1-2 delims=:,a,p " %%a in ('TIME /T') do (
set hrmm=%%a%%b)

but I cannot get an "HHMM" format returned.

Any hints?

THANKS,

Rich

Thanks for the POST.........to lead us to advert.........so when you have a real problem........we are HEAR.....

How can I EXECUTE a BATCH file chaging the paramenter whe I have them in a TEXT file and I WANT that BATCH file to RUN for EVERY line yn the text file?
Come Again.

Is there any way to OBTAIN a Admin. account USING DOS??I have a limited acc. now and i'm RUNNING XP.the single USER is the admin??

Hi People, does anyone know a WAY within a batch FILE of CHANGING all characters to lower case (the variables are input from a TEXT file and MAY have capitals..I WANT them all lower case)
Thanks and a Happy New Year to you all

comp has SurfSidekick... was advised after many a search to create a 'batch' file to delete the sucker even before it STARTED up (already tried deleting it from the start-up programs..... the sucker snuck back in...) and not the slightest clue as how to do it... much less make it work ~~~~: ( any help available from veterans or noobs alike?Hi, this is easily solved (hopefully...)
Open control panel>add/REMOVE programs click surfsidekick and uninstall.

DEREK.lol derek. if only it were that easy.
problem is that SS2 is running and every time I take it off the start-up directory (whatever you address it by) it puts itself back in. and the guys at Windows still have not figured out how to tell a computer "I DONT CARE IF ITS RUNNING! GET RID OF IT!" (grrrr)
poor ignorants rock on simpsons!Have you tried manually removing it from the registery:
Go to START>RUN Key in REGEDIT and select EDIT from the menu and select FIND...Key in SURFSIDEKICK and if found, remove the entry. Or another way..goto the Task Manager and end the program before trying to remove it as suggested in a previous reply.Hi, the uninstall info came from thew faq's on the surfsidekick website. Surfsidekick is a manual DOWNLOAD on that site, ie you have to click the download button. If you haven't been there then maybe this is a new variant. The known files and reg entries are:

Creates the following files:

%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe
%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\SskBho.dll
%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\SskCore.dll

Note: %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:\Program Files.


Adds values to the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks\{000AB0005-FF12-42C2-8DF5-39E12E5F9C91}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick_is1


Adds the value:

"SurfSideKick" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick\Ssk.exe"

to the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

so that the program runs every time Windows starts.

The above was from http://sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.surfsidekick.html

Just found this surfsidekickb is bundled with some free software.
File names: Ssk.exe; SskBho.dll; SskCore.dll; SSK_B5.EXE

When Adware.SurfSideKick.B is executed, it performs the following actions:


Creates the following files:

%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe
%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 2\SskBho.dll
%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 2\SskCore.dll

Note: %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the program files folder. By default, this is C:\Program Files.


Creates the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks\{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks\{CA0E28FA-1AFD-4C21-A8DC-70EB5BE2F076}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SurfSideKick2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Surf Sidekick


Adds the value:

"SurfSideKick 2" = "%Program Files%\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe"

to the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

so that the adware program runs every time Windows starts.


Displays pop-up advertisements.


Attempts to connect to a predetermined Web site and downloads other adware programs and sends on system information.


Have you tried booting into safe mode and uninstalling from there?

Derek.
PS Homer Simpson is my hero.

hi
i was LOADING from a ps2 HARD drive to my main hard drive on my pc, when i notice the screen went blank. restarted pc but it just asked for boot disk. i have loaded back to dos on a floppy, loaded this and now on a:\ tryed cd c:\ with no response
Q. have i reformatted my hard drive with ps2 FORMAT or can i retrive the old programs on it

help please

many thanksHi, RATHER than cd c:\ try c: by itself. AFAIK you cant change drives with cd.

If you can get into c: try running scanreg.

HTH,
Derek.c: INVALID driveBad luck It sounds as if you have now got 2 ps2 hard drives Is/was your harddrive partitioned? If so can you get into this?
From the a: prompt type sys c: this restores the boot file io.sys to drive c:. I doubt it will work but it is all I can suggest apart from reformatting. Perhaps others have better ideas.

Derek.

Hello and nice to meet you all,

Someone gave me this laptop, it's a Toshiba T1200XE
As far as I can figure it, it is dated about 1990-93(?)
The things that came with it are some floppies,
1) MS DOS 4.01- 4 floppies (install, shell, diagnostic and another ONE I cant think of RIGHT now,
sorry, I'm not home) there are some manuals that came with it, but they all say for any error messages, look it up inside the "HELP" which I cant access.
Anyway, here is whats happening:
I plug it in and press the power button and it starts to do the Memory Test, then it gives me this message:
"Error encountered intializing HD 0
Error in CMOS
Bad Time Function,
Check system, press any key"

I press any key and then this message comes up:
"Place system disk in drive, press any key when ready"

I put the Backup disk in the FLOPPY drive and hit any key and the same message comes up.

I tried the MS DOS Install, but samething happens.

So before I mess something up I would like to know if anyone has any ideas and also would like to know if this
Laptop or Notebook (I am not even sure which it is)
is even worth time and effort.

Thanks in advance for any help that is out there.

[glb]Have a great Holiday![/glb][/color]

mauNo need for the dna code......is this win3
.1Hi merlin,

Oh, sorry, I DIDNT even see that...ooops!

Anyway, as far as I can tell, the floppies that came with it say that its MS DOS 4.01, so I am not even sure..sorry, I dont know anything about this thing
I thank you for replying

maumaybe the person who gave you the lappy has taken the o/s.
of it! ask the person who gave you the lap for info!!!

Load MS Dos WINDOW TRY to TYPE in the window but no response, any ideas?
More INFO!!!damaged shell!

in a batch file, how do you make it run automaticly at a certain time or DATE even if you don't click on the icon.Hi, TRY control PANEL&GT;scheduled tasks>ADD scheduled task

Derek.

I am trying to run a DOS utility that converts all files of a certain type (.PGN files ) to another format so they can be read by another program.

However I want to run this utility on all the files in a directory (about 100 files). Is there a way to write a batch file that would read all the PGN files in a directory and then run the utility on them.Hi, because you don't give much info I can only guess that you have to type something like this into a dos prompt window:

convert mypic.png

Where 'convert' is the command used to change these files

Is this correct? If it is can you replace 'mypic' with an asterisk? ie

convert *.png

Derek.Sort of. I tried what you suggested but Dos reports that it cannot open the file "*.pgn". It seems the DOS utility I want to run does not accept wildcards in filenames.

I thought of creating a batch file listing all the files in a directory with "DIR /b > file.bat", then adding the Dos utility command in front of each line, so that it will run the command on each file. This works as I have tried it out by manually adding the command to each line. But with 200+ LINES in the batch file this is laborious, so I am STUCK with trying to AUTOMATE this part of the process.

I THINK what you might NEED is the FOR command combined with your DIR command.

Check out: http://www.robvanderwoude.com/index.htm

l

HI!!

I have over a hundred text files that I need to rename to *.wmv. They are in dozens of DIFFERENT subdirectories of the same directory path. Is there ONE command I can do to CHANGE all the file extensions for the same TYPE of file to the same but are in subdirectories???


Pleae help me with this. I tried several commands but nothing seems to work Well, if I'm right, .wmv is for sound.... Not text documents......

[glb]Flame[/glb]

Is there any way to have a BATCH FILE writen in Dos 5.0 PROMPT the user for a password before it runs?