Running a batch file in AutoIT

[jben]

Hi everyone. Got a problem

I'm trying to work out how to run a batch file in my AutoIT script. The batch file cmd appears but doesn't actually do anything. Is there some different command i've got to use other than shellexecute. Thanks

and yes the batch file works if I manually click it myself.

Edited April 3, 2008 by jben

[DarkMatter]

ShellExecute should work. Have you tried

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

Edited April 3, 2008 by DarkMatter

[Monamo]

Hi everyone. Got a problem

I'm trying to work out how to run a batch file in my AutoIT script. The batch file cmd appears but doesn't actually do anything. Is there some different command i've got to use other than shellexecute. Thanks

and yes the batch file works if I manually click it myself.

Try using the Run() command instead of ShellExecute()

To run DOS (console) commands, try Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & 'commandName', "", @SW_HIDE)

Quick example:

$cmdPath = Chr(34) &"C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\test.cmd" &Chr(34)
Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & $cmdPath, "")

[jben]

Cheers I will try that. One thing I am wondering though. Is it possible to put the script dir in the code. Because I will be running it from the same folder.

thanks

[Monamo]

Cheers I will try that. One thing I am wondering though. Is it possible to put the script dir in the code. Because I will be running it from the same folder.

thanks

Yep, see DarkMatter's example above regarding placing the batch file in the Script directory.

[jben]

just tried this

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

and I get a cmd box appear for a split second but nothing happens. Not sure why?

To explain in more detail I'm trying to run something called devcon.exe http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311272

Basically I have the devcon.exe and the batch file within my Software directory. Then devcon scans for hardware changes. But runs through a batch file. Therefore I'm trying to run the batch file within AutoIT but its having none of it.

Edited April 3, 2008 by jben

[MadBoy]

just tried this

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

and I get a cmd box appear for a split second but nothing happens. Not sure why?

To explain in more detail I'm trying to run something called devcon.exe http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311272

Basically I have the devcon.exe and the batch file within my Software directory. Then devcon scans for hardware changes. But runs through a batch file. Therefore I'm trying to run the batch file within AutoIT but its having none of it.

What you actually want to achieve using devcon? I've wrote soft that does some things using devcon maybe you could use it ?

[MHz]

and I get a cmd box appear for a split second but nothing happens. Not sure why?

Sounds OK. It will run the batch file and close. Try the /k switch.

Run(@ComSpec & ' /k test.bat')

[jben]

i'm trying to do a devcon scan

thanks

[Danny35d]

just tried this

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

and I get a cmd box appear for a split second but nothing happens. Not sure why?

You are missing a back slash between the " and software.

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "\Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

[Monamo]

just tried this

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

and I get a cmd box appear for a split second but nothing happens. Not sure why?

To explain in more detail I'm trying to run something called devcon.exe http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311272

Basically I have the devcon.exe and the batch file within my Software directory. Then devcon scans for hardware changes. But runs through a batch file. Therefore I'm trying to run the batch file within AutoIT but its having none of it.

At first glance, it looks like you're just missing a trailing slash. Your run line should have a slash after @ScriptDir:

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "\Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

Edited April 3, 2008 by Monamo

[jben]

Still not having any joy even with that code.

[DarkMatter]

What version of devcon are you using? Newer version of devcon do not have a "scan" function, only "rescan"

[jben]

Scan works because I can run it manually if i click the batch file myself.

UPDATE

Sorry i'm actually using devcon rescan

Edited April 3, 2008 by jben

[MadBoy]

What version of devcon are you using? Newer version of devcon do not have a "scan" function, only "rescan"

$devcon = @TempDir & "\devcon32.exe"

$devcon_rescan = RunWait(@ComSpec & " /c " & $devcon & " rescan", '', @SW_HIDE)

That's how i run it. Althought that call can be done with internal AutoIt capabilities.

[Danny35d]

Still not having any joy even with that code.

Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "\Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

I'm assuming you try the above code line. If that is the case change the /c for /k so the command windows stay open and you can read any error message.

[digibuddha]

Hey Man,

I run batch files like this all the time...

RunWait("Driveletter\path\anyname.bat")

Now one thing I have noticed with AutoIT is that when it calls CMD.exe it calls it from %windir%\system32, yes I know thats where its at, which caused the DOS prompt to be C:\%windir%\System32 , but I had a problem with a script running from there, soooo...

In my batch I ran it like this:

cd\

cls

path*

anyname.bat

That seemed to clear up the issues like your having of it not doing anything, or failing. Maybe this will help.

Edited April 3, 2008 by digibuddha

[jben]

Can you show me how you would create your batch file?.

I'm really getting nowhere fast with this one.

[jben]

Just tried this

Run(@ComSpec & " /k " & Chr(34) & @ScriptDir & "\Software\test.bat" & Chr(34), @ScriptDir)

now I get something in the cmd saying 'c:\documents' is not recognized as an internal command

Edited April 3, 2008 by jben

[digibuddha]

My batch file is like the above:

CD\
cls
cd path*
batch to run

That error you are getting is because DOS can't read the space in the path, put quotes around your path like this:

"C:\Documents and Settings\rest of path\anyname.bat"

Example of one of my batch files:

cd\
cd down*
cd task*

inst_task.cmd

pause

Edited April 3, 2008 by digibuddha