Re: How do I...
From: Wesley Vogel (123WVogel955_at_comcast.net)
Date: 11/26/04
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Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 06:46:56 -0700
Bill,
I use vbs scripts all the time. Unfortunately, others have written them.
Set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
oShell.Run "%SystemRoot%\System32\rasdial.exe /disconnect", 0
Won't do much on my machine, the phone modem has been in the computer junk
box out in the garage for two years.
It's extremely difficult to advise someone on something that I don't know
how to do. ;-) Torgeir ought to get you straightened out. :-)
You'd be surprised how much MS-DOS programming applies in XP. I've been
dusting off my "Running MS-DOS Version 6.22" book quite often lately.
Most of the batch files that I use are just simple, save the typing variety.
I have all kinds of samples of more elaborate batch files, but I haven't
found the need to actually use any.
-- Hope this helps. Let us know. Wes In news:so9pd.3136$NU3.2570@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net, Bill <stanton@jps.net> hunted and pecked: > Wes, > As you saw in my post to Torgeir, I have some amount of > experience with VBA. The VBS language is probably a > subset of what is in VBA, but in any event there seems to > be hope that I can run Rasdial "quietly" as desired. > > Since my post to Torgeir, I did a little homework and > searches to better understand where VBS fits into the > scheme of things. I didn't realize it had somewhat evolved > from what used to be referred to as "Bat Language"... > Basic back in the pure DOS days. I'll continue my > search as I await Torgeir's reply post. > > Keep your eye on this thread if you'd like and I'll post the > VBS code plus some explanations of how it works and how > to deploy. I'll try to deploy both from the Registry and the > current user startup. > > Bill > > > "Wesley Vogel" <123WVogel955@comcast.net> wrote in message > news:%23XuD9Eo0EHA.2156@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl... >> Bill, >> >> I was going to suggest a .vbs script, but I know nothing about >> writing them. >> >> -- >> Hope this helps. Let us know. >> Wes >> >> In news:cqRod.3246$uV6.64@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net, >> Bill <stanton@jps.net> hunted and pecked: >>> Wes, >>> I initiated the BAT file from the Registry without any >>> trouble. I also experimented with the "m" and "q" switches >>> trying to get the "DOS CMD.EXE" window to either run >>> minimized or not display at all, the latter being my preference. >>> Since the switches are applied to Rasdial, Rasdial fails when >>> any unsupported switches are attempted. >>> >>> It would be really cool if there was a "hook" of some sort >>> wherein a user could automatically launch network >>> connections via the same path that the desktop shortcuts >>> take. Rasdial obviously uses a different path that involves >>> CMD.EXE. The "Target Type" in the shortcut properties >>> is a strange looking string that gives no clue as to how it's >>> used. >>> >>> Unless you have any additional ideas, I guess I'll have to >>> either accept the DOS window display or give up the >>> whole idea. >>> >>> If something should pop into your creative thinking after >>> we abandon this thread, send a note to stanton@jps.net. >>> >>> Thanks again for all your help. I learned some more about >>> the subtleties of XP amongst other items of interest. >>> >>> Bill >>> >>> >>> "Wesley Vogel" <123WVogel955@comcast.net> wrote in message >>> news:O8X3kkb0EHA.1152@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl... >>>> Bill, >>>> >>>> Any of these three startup locations should be fine. >>>> >>>> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start >>>> Menu\Programs\Startup\shortcut to >>>> Dial.bat >>>> >>>> C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Start >>>> Menu\Programs\Startup\shortcut to Dial.bat >>>> >>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] >>>> "dial"="C:\Dial.bat" >>>> >>>> I run my startup batch files from the registry entry above. I >>>> don't even mess with AUTOEXEC.NT. Unless you're actually running a >>>> DOS program no need >>>> to mess with any of the old DOS type items. >>>> >>>> /q is used quite often for quiet operation, but I don't see where >>>> that applies to rasdial. Maybe /m for minimzed. >>>> >>>> For more help... >>>> >>>> Command-line reference A-Z >>>> >>>> Start | Run | Copy and paste the following line: >>>> >>>> %windir%\hh.exe ms-its:c:\Windows\Help\ntcmds.chm::/ntcmds.htm >>>> >>>> Click OK >>>> -- >>>> Hope this helps. Let us know. >>>> Wes >>>> >>>> In news:ibxod.1599$NU3.794@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net, >>>> Bill <stanton@jps.net> hunted and pecked: >>>>> Wes, >>>>> Your suggestions, descriptions and URL's were very >>>>> helpful and informative. >>>>> >>>>> I had entirely the wrong parameters in the Rasdial >>>>> command. As soon as I got that right, my test BAT >>>>> file that contained the command worked. My only >>>>> problem is that when the BAT file is run the DOS >>>>> window is displayed, which of course displays my >>>>> password in plain sight. Anyway to run that BAT >>>>> file "quietly"? >>>>> >>>>> I thought I understood that inserting the Rasdial command >>>>> in AUTOEXEC.NT would cause that command to be >>>>> executed with the system started. However, putting the >>>>> command there didn't seem to do anything, certainly didn't >>>>> initiate a connection. I was only able to effect a launch when >>>>> I copied the BAT file into my Startup folder. What part of >>>>> your lesson on AUTOEXEC.NT didn't I understand. >>>>> The MS sites described the use of Rasdial and how to code >>>>> it, but I failed to see where the command should be placed. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> Bill >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> "Wesley Vogel" <123WVogel955@comcast.net> wrote in message >>>>> news:OASBwAP0EHA.3588@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl... >>>>>> Maybe these links will help... Speaking of help, these are just >>>>>> on-line links of items that are in Help and Support on your >>>>>> machine. >>>>>> >>>>>> Automating a network connection >>>>>> >>>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/using_automate_conn.mspx >>>>>> >>>>>> Configuring dial-up options >>>>>> >>>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/dial_connect_concept.mspx >>>>>> >>>>>> To configure autodial >>>>>> >>>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/howto_autodial.mspx >>>>>> >>>>>> Using rasdial >>>>>> >>>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ras_rasdial_overview.mspx >>>>>> >>>>>> Rasdial >>>>>> >>>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/rasdial.mspx >>>>>> >>>>>> First, Windows XP is really Windows NT 5.1. XP got it's name for >>>>>> some marketing reason. Most NT references will apply to XP. >>>>>> >>>>>> My AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, IO.SYS & MSDOS.SYS are empty. >>>>>> >>>>>> From various sources... >>>>>> >>>>>> Windows XP uses Config.nt and Autoexec.nt, not Config.sys or >>>>>> Autoexec.bat. >>>>>> >>>>>> If you have a Config.sys or Autoexec.bat file XP will (mostly) >>>>>> ignore them. >>>>>> Nothing in Config.sys will have any effect. Any line in >>>>>> Autoexec.bat that launches a program or changes a directory will >>>>>> be ignored; the only lines in >>>>>> Autoexec.bat that Windows XP will read are the lines that begin >>>>>> SET or PATH. >>>>>> If ParseAutoexec is set to 1. >>>>>> >>>>>> In order to launch programs or change settings for DOS programs >>>>>> under Windows XP, you must modify two files named Config.nt and >>>>>> Autoexec.nt, typically found in the C:\Windows\System32 >>>>>> directory. >>>>>> >>>>>> Config.nt is used for the same kind of tasks formerly performed >>>>>> by Config.sys (loading device drivers, etc.). Autoexec.nt is >>>>>> used for the same >>>>>> kind of tasks formerly performed by Autoexec.bat (launching >>>>>> memory-resident >>>>>> programs, etc.) Only old-style 16-bit DOS programs can be run >>>>>> from Autoexec.nt. You cannot use Autoexec.nt to run 32-bit >>>>>> Windows XP text-mode programs like MODE or SUBST; these programs >>>>>> may be run in an ordinary batch >>>>>> >>>>>> file, but not in Autoexec.nt. >>>>>> >>>>>> The following tells XP (NT) if it should include variables in the >>>>>> Autoexec.bat... >>>>>> >>>>>> Key:[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows >>>>>> NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] >>>>>> Value Name: ParseAutoexec >>>>>> Data Type: REG_SZ >>>>>> Data:(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) >>>>>> >>>>>> To add or change environment variables with Windows XP: >>>>>> 1. Right click on My Computer >>>>>> 2. Select Properties >>>>>> 3. Click on the Advanced tab >>>>>> 4. Click on the Environment Variables button >>>>>> 5. From here you can change it for the system or just the current >>>>>> user. --- >>>>>> >>>>>> From my AUTOEXEC.NT... >>>>>> AUTOEXEC.BAT is not used to initialize the MS-DOS environment. >>>>>> AUTOEXEC.NT is used to initialize the MS-DOS environment unless a >>>>>> different startup file is specified in an application's PIF. >>>>>> Everything is REM'd out except... >>>>>> lh %SystemRoot%\system32\mscdexnt.exe >>>>>> lh %SystemRoot%\system32\redir >>>>>> lh %SystemRoot%\system32\dosx >>>>>> >>>>>> From my CONFIG.NT... >>>>>> CONFIG.SYS is not used to initialize the MS-DOS environment. >>>>>> CONFIG.NT is used to initialize the MS-DOS environment unless a >>>>>> different startup file is specified in an application's PIF. >>>>>> Everything is REM'd out except... >>>>>> dos=high, umb >>>>>> device=%SystemRoot%\system32\himem.sys >>>>>> files=40 >>>>>> --- >>>>>> >>>>>> lh %SystemRoot%\system32\mscdexnt.exe >>>>>> loads into the UMBs (Upper Memory Blocks) the NT CD reader >>>>>> equivalent to the >>>>>> well known mscdex for DOS >>>>>> >>>>>> lh %SystemRoot%\system32\redir >>>>>> loads into the UMBs the LAN redirector to enable the mapping of >>>>>> remote devices >>>>>> >>>>>> lh %SystemRoot%\system32\dosx >>>>>> loads into the UMBs the protected mode DOS extender to access the >>>>>> memory above the first megabyte >>>>>> >>>>>> By the way the use of lh requires the presence of the following >>>>>> lines in Config.NT >>>>>> >>>>>> EMM=Ram >>>>>> DOS=High,Umb >>>>>> ----- >>>>>> >>>>>> AUTOEXEC.NT & CONFIG.NT are both located here >>> >>>>>> C:\WINDOWS\system32 >>>>>> and >>>>>> C:\WINDOWS\repair >>>>>> >>>>>> AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, IO.SYS & MSDOS.SYS are all located here >>>>>>>>> C:\ >>>>>> ---- >>>>>> >>>>>> Don't let the titles fool you. Lots of info here >>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Virtual Device Drivers for MS-DOS Applications or Special >>>>>> Hardware >>>>>> >>>> >> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/other/hh/other/vdd_a83ccf36-0fcb-41d0-a5eb-ff5e4bbf8106.xml.asp >>>>>> >>>>>> Troubleshooting MS-DOS-based programs in Windows XP >>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314106 >>>>>> >>>>>> How To Manage Environment Variables in Windows XP >>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310519 >>>>>> >>>>>> Description of the Microsoft Windows registry >>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;256986 >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Hope this helps. Let us know. >>>>>> Wes >>>>>> >>>>>> In news:GKqod.2264$uV6.1635@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net, >>>>>> Bill <stanton@jps.net> hunted and pecked: >>>>>>> Wes, >>>>>>> SIGH! Now I can't get either of the two bat files shown >>>>>>> below to work. That being the case, it obviously serves >>>>>>> no purpose to try different methods of invocation. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Bat file #1: >>>>>>> Rasdial <earthlink> <Bill Stanton> <mypassword> [hit enter] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Bat file #2 >>>>>>> Start C:\dial.lnk (Where "dial" is a shortcut to the >>>>>>> connection) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Any ideas? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> By-the-way, I assume that the old AUTOEXEC.BAT no longer >>>>>>> gets executed in the newer XP environments? Odd that it was >>>>>>> still created when XP was installed on a new machine. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Bill >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "Wesley Vogel" <123WVogel955@comcast.net> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:%23SgaviL0EHA.2540@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>> My first question is. Does the Dial.bat batch file work when >>>>>>>> running it? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 2) >>>>>>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] >>>>>>>> "dial"="C:\\Dial.bat" (Where Dial.bat contained a DOS Start >>>>>>>> command) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> If your Dial.bat actually works and its location is >>>>>>>> C:\Dial.bat... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Change C:\\Dial.bat to C:\Dial.bat >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> These should also work, providing Dial.bat actually works... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start >>>>>>>> Menu\Programs\Startup\shortcut to >>>>>>>> Dial.bat >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Start >>>>>>>> Menu\Programs\Startup\shortcut to Dial.bat >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Maybe you could post the contents of Dial.bat. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> Hope this helps. Let us know. >>>>>>>> Wes >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> In news:gDcod.904$NU3.642@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net, >>>>>>>> Bill <stanton@jps.net> hunted and pecked: >>>>>>>>> I've been trying to find a way to automatically launch >>>>>>>>> my dial-up connection as part of the boot process. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I don't want it to be a by-product of starting IE or OE. >>>>>>>>> Rather, have the connections shortcut executed like any >>>>>>>>> other application in Startup. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I tried: >>>>>>>>> 1) Putting the dial-up shortcut in Startup >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> 2) >>>>>>>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] >>>>>>>>> "dial"="C:\\Dial.bat" (Where Dial.bat contained a DOS >>>>>>>>> Start command) >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> 3) Same as 2 above except inserting the dial-up shortcut >>>>>>>>> name. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> 4) Putting the dial-up shortcut as a Scheduled Task to >>>>>>>>> be executed "At System Startup". >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> When I examine the properties of the shortcut, I find the >>>>>>>>> "Target Location" as "Network Connections" and a string >>>>>>>>> that resembles a registry value as the "Target Type". >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Any suggestions or education about launching "Network >>>>>>>>> Connections"? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>>>> Bill
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