Startup in order?

rscosworth · 5 Aug 2011 at 21:14

Guys,

My works machine runs a load of apps and when I start the machine I would like them to load in order, not sure how I can accomplish this but this is what I would like to do.

Logon
Open AT&T and make VPN connection
Open XP Mode
Open Sticky Notes
Open Lotus Notes
Open tn3270 connections x 3
Open notepad
Open Lotus Sametime
Open 3 excel spreadsheets

Then let me get on with my work.

Anyone got any ideas how to do this?

Thanks

KIA · 6 Aug 2011 at 02:26

http://www.r2.com.au/page/products/page/2/show/startdelay

rscosworth · 6 Aug 2011 at 09:16

Still don't think that would launch them in order, just delayed and then will try and load all the delayed programs at once..

Raumarik · 6 Aug 2011 at 11:53

a batch script could do this but it's impossible for me to make one as I don't have all the paths etc. Suggest simply putting a delay after it launches each app, so they're always in order and always open before the next one starts. Then just shove this into the startup folder.

If you have Win 7 you can delay start apps using Scheduled tasks

BigBoy · 6 Aug 2011 at 12:04

Halfmad said:
a batch script could do this but it's impossible for me to make one as I don't have all the paths etc. Suggest simply putting a delay after it launches each app, so they're always in order and always open before the next one starts. Then just shove this into the startup folder.

If you have Win 7 you can delay start apps using Scheduled tasks

This^^

The Batch script would be the dirty but easy option or rename shortcuts to numbers 1 2 3 4 5 and so on, or a b c d e as windows will always start in order

rscosworth · 7 Aug 2011 at 18:41

Guys,

I have managed to write a batch file which is 80% working.

When i start XP Mode virtual machine the batch file seems to wait and will not move onto the next line until I close XP Mode.

Is there any way to make the batch file move rather than wait for it to close?

Thanks

BigBoy · 7 Aug 2011 at 19:44

are you using the start.exe command like

Code:

@echo off
start.exe "c:\program files\program name\program.exe"

or are you just calling the program straight like

Code:

@echo off
"c:\program files\program name\program.exe"

there is no way to force cmd to skip to the next line, but you could make it run last? and have the command window hidden using something like CMDOW.exe ( @CMDOW @ /HID at the start of the command script).

Edit..

A dirty way to do it is to call another cmd script just to start XP mode and the original cmd script will carry on as normal.

Code:

@CMDOW @ /HID
start.exe "c:\program files\program name\program.exe"
call "c:\windows\xpmode.cmd"
start.exe "c:\program files\program name\program.exe"

Edit 2...
God this takes me back I've not looked at command scripts for years

rscosworth · 7 Aug 2011 at 19:49

My point in doing this is so that things start in a specific order so leaving it till last is no good unfortunatly.

If i use the start command to run the XP Mode path it just opens a DOS window with that path, which is why i have just called the program straight as per your second example above but doesn't move on from there... very odd

BigBoy · 7 Aug 2011 at 19:52

See my edits

some programs will not let the cmd window move on its just the way the program interacts with the cmd line.

rscosworth · 7 Aug 2011 at 19:58

Sorry I'm hopeless at this, the path for the xp mode is c:/users/name/virtual machine/windows xp mode.vmcx so how would I get it to run as a CMD?

BigBoy · 7 Aug 2011 at 20:02

just put quotes around the whole thing and it will work no problem just tried it myself

"C:\Users\Ian\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode.vmcx" this is what i just pasted in to a cmd window and works passing back to the cmd line

rscosworth · 7 Aug 2011 at 20:05

Will give it a go in the morning :-)

thanks for your help.

BigBoy · 7 Aug 2011 at 20:08

no problem, I use to have loads of scripts for different games and even made a full blown menu system for my dads old 386 back in the day. 8years old and still better than my dad with computers (my god that's 24 years ago!!)

KIA · 8 Aug 2011 at 14:26

rscosworth said:
Still don't think that would launch them in order, just delayed and then will try and load all the delayed programs at once..

You can set a custom delay for each application.

rscosworth · 8 Aug 2011 at 16:01

Ok, for example I have the following in a batchfile

call "C:\Users\Ross\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode.vmcx"
timeout /t 5
start c:\windows\system32\StikyNot.exe

the first line loads the Windows XP Mode but will not advance onto the timeout line until the XP Mode is physically closed...

BigBoy · 8 Aug 2011 at 16:06

Or just Google doze.exe great little Program for delaying a batchfile.

Also time each program and see how long it takes for them to start up to a usable state so you know how long to delay the batch script for.

Ah right its because your using the call to invoke the XPmode just call it directly and use the doze.exe above.

rscosworth · 8 Aug 2011 at 16:09

But my point is it will not advance onto the timeout until the xp mode is closed

BigBoy · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:58

what about if you take the call out of the command line?
Like this

Code:

@echo off
"C:\Users\Ross\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode.vmcx"
timeout /t 5
start c:\windows\system32\StikyNot.exe

you dont need to used the call or start argument just running the command should start the xpmode and pass back to the next command. I did this yesterday just to check and it works. I'm not at home for a few days but will write a little script on wednesday night and try it out.