Batch Files in XP

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Ok guys. i want to create a batch file which i can have sitting on my desktop and run to launch several applications (im lazy, what can i say).

Now, using cd [directory] on one line, and the full name of the program on another, i can, as a general rule, make the program launch.

but the problem is that the batch program tends to hang. after launching the program but before progressing to the next command. It doesnt do this consistently on the same program either.

Any suggestions????

Fergal

 

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Hi Fergal, could you post the code so we can see what you're trying to do.

 

OK. The program address isnt exact, as im currently at work but:

Code:

echo
cd c:\program files\...\office10
office.exe /recycle
cd c:\program files\mozilla\...\
firefox.exe
cd c:\program files\trillian\...\
trillian.exe
exit

i have tried just

Code:

c:\...\office.exe /recycle

etc, but that didnt work, i even tried

Code:

Start c:\...\office.exe

but that just loaded another cmd window labelled with the address.

Fergal

 

For MS Word you can use:

Code:

start WINWORD.EXE

and if you wnat multiple programs just add them on the next line (ie):

Code:

start WINWORD.EXE
start iexplore.EXE

One particular use of the START command is to launch the default browser and go directly to a URL, for example: START http://google.com

You may use any of four command line parameters with the START command. These go after the word START, but before the program name:

/minimized or /m
/maximized or /max
/restored or /r
/wait or /w

 

these arent standard windows programs though. would that work? do i not need to enter the specific address? and usually what happens is that it will load the first program, then hang and not load the others! though it doesnt matter which order the programs are in!

Fergal

 

you might wanna try

echo Starting App 1
start /wait c:\path\app1.exe /switch /anotherswitch

echo Starting App 2
start /wait c:\path\app2.exe /switch /anotherswitch

echo Starting App 3
start /wait c:\path\app3.exe /switch /anotherswitch


exit

 

CAN I ASK, why the /wait??? basically i want to load outlook, firefox, and trillian (a chat program) from a single click on an icon in the quick launch bar, as i generally always load them all together (like i said, im lazy).

Fergal

 

the /wait commands tellst the batch file to wait till the command has been processed before moving in, this is even more useful when installing stuff, as it will wait for one program to install before moving onto the next one

its useful in this instance as we have all seen the outcome of hitting ten icons together and the slowdown/lag it causes to our system, this shouldnt create much of a slow down, but it will ensure the batch file doesnt try to process the whole lot in one go

you can try removing them as you see fit and experiment

 

Success. finally got it figured out!

The final code is:

Code:

@ECHO OFF
  
  ECHO STARTING FIREFOX
  START C:\"Program Files"\"Mozilla Firefox"\firefox.exe
  
  ECHO STARTING TRILLIAN
  START C:\"Program Files"\Trillian\trillian.exe
  
  ECHO STARTING OUTLOOK
  START C:\"Program Files"\"Microsoft Office"\Office10
 \OUTLOOK.EXE  /recycle

Note the quotation marks around program files. the batch file wont accept it if you dont (doh!).

Fergal

 

Anytime you are writing a batch and have spaces within a path/filename, you must use parentheses...
Your method works, but the normal method is "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" /switches

Using the /wait command is pointless as it renders the start command useless. Basically it forces it to wait until the program finishes (i.e. you close the program; the same as running an .exe without start as you did in your first attempt) to resume the batch file commands.

I would recommend (depending on which and how many programs you would like to run) using a staller. Let the batch file stall for a few seconds before it finishes the command. Here is an example:

Code:

title Optional Startup Programs
@echo off
c:
cd\
cls

::-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
::Gather User Input
::-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


set ffchoice=
echo Do you want to start FireFox? (Y/N/ALL/Exit)
set /p ffchoice=
if %ffchoice% == exit exit
if %ffchoice% == all (
	set ffchoice=y
	set olchoice=y
	goto loadprog
)

set olchoice=
echo Do you want to start Outlook? (Y/N/Exit)
set /p olchoice=
if %olchoice% == exit exit

cls

::-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
::Begin Loading Programs Chosen by User
::-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:loadprog

if %ffchoice% == y (
	echo Starting Mozilla FireFox. Please Wait.....
	start "FireFox" /min "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

	echo Loading FireFox.
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox..
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox...
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox....
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox.....
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox......
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox.......
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox........
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox.........
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading FireFox..........
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	echo.
	echo.
	echo DONE!
	ping localhost -n 3 >nul
	cls
)

if %olchoice% == y (
	echo Starting Outlook. Please Wait.....
	start "Outlook" /min "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\outlook.exe" /recycle

	echo Loading Outlook.
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook..
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook...
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook....
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook.....
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook......
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook.......
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook........
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook.........
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook..........
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook...........
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook............
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook.............
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	cls
	echo Loading Outlook..............
	ping localhost -n 2 >nul
	echo.
	echo.
	echo DONE!
	ping localhost -n 3 >nul
	cls
)

exit

I use something similar to this script with a few more progs added on... so use it if it fits you and add as necessary.

Hope it helps someone...

 

Just a little pointer, the last reply to this thread was over 3 years ago

 

Lol nearly spat my coffee on my monitor

I'm off to find some ancient resolved threads that I can resolve