Executing an external windows program - (Moved)

[ColinL]

I have entered the following command within my script

Local $iPID = RunWait("AXIOMProcess.exe","C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process",SW_MAXIMIZE)

The program fails to start and the PID value is returned as 0

However if I open a command line and navigate to the required directory, I can manually execute the program.  I have managed to get the script to work using this method, but then have trouble getting the AXIOMProcess window to get focus so I can interact with it, any ideas why the runwait command fails to fire the executable?

[Jos]

Moved to the appropriate forum.

Moderation Team

[Jos]

Try changing the first parameter to contain the path to the exe as well.

Local $iPID = RunWait("C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process\AXIOMProcess.exe","C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process",SW_MAXIMIZE)

Jos

Edited August 28, 2019 by Jos

[BrewManNH]

19 minutes ago, ColinL said:

The program fails to start and the PID value is returned as 0

RunWait doesn't return a PID, it returns the ExitCode of the program. 

[seadoggie01]

3 hours ago, BrewManNH said:

RunWait doesn't return a PID, it returns the ExitCode of the program. 

In which case, check the help file for RunWait...

Quote

Some programs will appear to return immediately even though they are still running; these programs spawn another process - you may be able to use the ProcessWaitClose() function to handle these cases.

(You might need to use a different process name than AXIOMProcess.exe, check and see what processes are running.)

[ColinL]

So I have changed the command to

Local $iPID = RunWait("C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process\AXIOMProcess.exe","C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process",SW_MAXIMIZE)

but the program still fails to start, the script just ends

[Jos]

Try running it with the X64 version of AutoIt as I assume it is an x64 program.

Jos

[ColinL]

So I have tried 64bit, and indeed compiling it as well, but the command still fails.

The following commands do work although I am not sure if this is the right way to do it

Run("cmd.exe")
WinWaitActive("C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe")
Send("cd c:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process^M")
Send("AXIOMProcess.exe^M")

 

If this a way of starting the application, how do I ensure the application has focus, ready to accept other command etc.

[Jos]

Ok, lets try it this way:

• Please install the full SciTE4Autoit3 installer before testing the next code to support the directive for x64.
• open SciTE and copy/pas this code:

• #AutoIt3Wrapper_UseX64=y
  Local $rc = RunWait("C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process\AXIOMProcess.exe","C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process",@SW_MAXIMIZE)
  MsgBox(262144, 'Debug line ~' & @ScriptLineNumber, 'Selection:' & @CRLF & '$rc' & @CRLF & @CRLF & 'Return:' & @CRLF & $rc) ;### Debug MSGBOX
  Local $rc = ShellExecute("C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process\AXIOMProcess.exe", "", "C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process")
  MsgBox(262144, 'Debug line ~' & @ScriptLineNumber, 'Selection:' & @CRLF & '$rc' & @CRLF & @CRLF & 'Return:' & @CRLF & $rc) ;### Debug MSGBOX

• Press F5 to run the code. It will first try the run() command and give you the RC and possible ERROR returned in a MSGBOX.
• Close the MSGBOX and it will perform a ShellExecute for the same program and show again a result MSGBOX.

Jos

[ColinL]

The first msgbox returns a value of 0

The second msgbox returns a value of 19556, and starts the AXIOM program, 

[Jos]

So that second option is a workable solution?  

Jos 

[ColinL]

Yes and I have placed it in my main script, please take a pound out of the till,  Will this program automatically have the focus or do I have to switch to it somehow?

[Jos]

Nice. 

26 minutes ago, ColinL said:

Will this program automatically have the focus or do I have to switch to it somehow?

I can't tell you and will be a matter of testing it. in case it doesn't you could use something like:

Local $pid = ShellExecute("C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process\AXIOMProcess.exe", "", "C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process","",@SW_MAXIMIZE)
; wait for program to start
Winwait("put-in-here-the-exact-title","")
; set focus to program window
WinActivate("put-in-here-the-exact-title","")
; loop as long as program is active
While ProcessExists($pid)
    sleep(10)
WEnd

Jos

Edited August 29, 2019 by Jos

[ColinL]

Jos you have been extremely helpful, many many thanks

[ColinL]

So I added the shell command, and used the WinGetTitle command to ensure I am referencing the correct window, and the program reports it is the active window by using

Local $Test = WinGetTitle("[ACTIVE]")

I then try and send a tab command to move the focus onto a different control within the application, but nothing happens, the application does not respond to the script, but if I manually press tab on the keyboard once it has started, it responds, I am wondering if the script really does not have control of the application, sorry to be pain

[ColinL]

Strangely enough MouseMove command also fails to move the mouse while the program appears to have the focus.  I placed MouseMove in its own script, and it works fine.

[Jos]

Are you sure the MouseMove() and (Control)Send() commands get executed properly?
Maybe show the script to see whether we can see any possible issues?

Jos

[ColinL]

Here is the code

Func AxiomProcess()
      Local $Axiom = ShellExecute("C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process\AXIOMProcess.exe", "", "C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process")
      Sleep(60000); Give AXIOM time to startup and check license, also ensure option to disable anti-virus is set as a default and not to reappear
      WinActive("Magnet AXIOM Process 2.10.1.13273- Checking License")
      MouseMove(10,10)
         Send("{TAB}{TAB}{TAB}{TAB}{TAB}{TAB}{TAB}{TAB}{TAB}")
      Local $sText = WinGetTitle("[ACTIVE]")
      MsgBox($MB_SYSTEMMODAL,"Title",$sText)
   EndFunc

 

It doesn't respond to the mouse move or accept the tabs being sent.

Mouse move in its own script works fine.

The msgbox displays the correct name of the current active window.

[Jos]

So Does the program run with the same level as the script or does it require Admin rights?
Have you tried running the script as Administrator so see if that makes any difference?
Just to ensure we are clear:

• You wait 1 minute after the program has started before the script continues.
• The mouseMove() only moves the mousepointer to 10,10  and doesn't select any control that might be there.
• It is always better to use ControlSend() and have the text send to the appropriate Window/Control. Use au3info.exe to find the details about the field.

Jos

 

[ColinL]

Have compiled the script and ran as administrator, but still doesn't respond to commands

Yes, the mouse just supposed to move top left and not select anything

As I move the mouse around, with au3info.exe running, standard windows controls are updated within the Info window.  Any control I select from the AXIOM application does not update the info window