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sotu1 · 26th Jun 2008, 06:49

hey guys,

is there a way of getting windows xp to automate actions, and maybe at certain times? Like you can with Apple script?

cheers guys

Glider · 26th Jun 2008, 06:52

You can write batch scripts and have them called at regular intervals. But from my experience, batch scripts are very limited in functionality.

sotu1 · 26th Jun 2008, 06:55

hmm...i was hoping there might be something that would just copy my mouse and keyboard inputs....i've never done scripting and wouldn't know where to start!

jezmck · 26th Jun 2008, 06:58

control panel > scheduled tasks
it can run programmes, so may not be the 'actions' you're looking for.

sotu1 · 26th Jun 2008, 07:07

no, schedule tasks is far too basic, all it does is run a programme. my priority action is this:

pc turns on at a certain time (optional)
pc runs outlook express
exports all e-mails
pc turns off at a certain time. (optional)

mm vr · 26th Jun 2008, 10:06

There's no way to turn a PC on from Windows.
It is possible to run OE.
It is (propably) possible to export the email.
It is possible to shut down again.

So, basically, everything will work as long as you leave your PC on.

Take a look at AutoIt. It might be the answer for you.

sotu1 · 26th Jun 2008, 11:32

i've figured out how to back up the emails, i'm gonna use everyday auto back up, free app i found on the net. looks like it'll do the job. just gonna back up the dbx files simple as.

is there a way to auto turn off the pc automatically, that autoIT looks good, but like i said, i can't script!

cosmic · 26th Jun 2008, 12:57

AutoIT looks like a very handy tool. Do not need one at the moment but will download and have a play

antiHero · 26th Jun 2008, 13:36

You could check the BIOS and look for the wakeup timer. My old mobo had one and i used my pc as an alarm clock with winamp playing full force at startup

mm vr · 26th Jun 2008, 14:49

AutoIt is a really easy script language

eg. this will launch Outlook Express:

Code:

Run("msimn.exe")

And then you just navigate to the export mail function using the Send command (it'll send keystrokes).

And you can shutdown Windows at any time by using the shutdown.exe tool included in Windows. The run box is very useful, you can execute single commands from it. You can get to it by opening the start menu and selecting the Run option, or by pressing the Windows key + R. Eg. this will shut down Windows in 60 seconds and it uses the shutdown.exe tool.

Code:

shutdown -s -t 60

Abort the shutdown with

Code:

shutdown -a

You can actually make a shortcut which shuts down the computer, there's a video on Youtube.

elneckio · 26th Jun 2008, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by sotu1

is there a way to auto turn off the pc automatically, that autoIT looks good, but like i said, i can't script!

Enable hibernate after X minutes option in Control Panel
Use the Windows shutdown command
Freeware utility - Amp WinOff.

I'm sure there are many other ways as well

26th Jun 2008, 06:49	#1
sotu1 Ex-Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth and London Posts: 2,509	getting windows to automate actions... hey guys, is there a way of getting windows xp to automate actions, and maybe at certain times? Like you can with Apple script? cheers guys __________________ wc206 on Steam and bawnslippy1 on Origin.

26th Jun 2008, 06:52	#2
Glider /dev/null Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 4,173	You can write batch scripts and have them called at regular intervals. But from my experience, batch scripts are very limited in functionality. __________________ There Are 10 Types Of People, Those Who Know Binary and Those Who Don't

26th Jun 2008, 06:55	#3
sotu1 Ex-Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth and London Posts: 2,509	hmm...i was hoping there might be something that would just copy my mouse and keyboard inputs....i've never done scripting and wouldn't know where to start! __________________ wc206 on Steam and bawnslippy1 on Origin.

26th Jun 2008, 06:58	#4
jezmck ____ Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chandlers Ford, Hants Posts: 4,455	control panel > scheduled tasks it can run programmes, so may not be the 'actions' you're looking for. __________________ Have you seen The SketchUp Components Collection's latest items? Interested in a DXF Blueprints Collection? Discuss it here.

26th Jun 2008, 07:07	#5
sotu1 Ex-Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth and London Posts: 2,509	no, schedule tasks is far too basic, all it does is run a programme. my priority action is this: pc turns on at a certain time (optional) pc runs outlook express exports all e-mails pc turns off at a certain time. (optional) __________________ wc206 on Steam and bawnslippy1 on Origin.

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26th Jun 2008, 10:06	#6
mm vr The cheesecake is a lie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 2,968	There's no way to turn a PC on from Windows. It is possible to run OE. It is (propably) possible to export the email. It is possible to shut down again. So, basically, everything will work as long as you leave your PC on. Take a look at AutoIt. It might be the answer for you.

26th Jun 2008, 11:32	#7
sotu1 Ex-Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth and London Posts: 2,509	i've figured out how to back up the emails, i'm gonna use everyday auto back up, free app i found on the net. looks like it'll do the job. just gonna back up the dbx files simple as. is there a way to auto turn off the pc automatically, that autoIT looks good, but like i said, i can't script! __________________ wc206 on Steam and bawnslippy1 on Origin.

26th Jun 2008, 12:57	#8
cosmic Supermodder Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 381	AutoIT looks like a very handy tool. Do not need one at the moment but will download and have a play

26th Jun 2008, 14:49	#10
mm vr The cheesecake is a lie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 2,968	AutoIt is a really easy script language eg. this will launch Outlook Express: Code: Run("msimn.exe") And then you just navigate to the export mail function using the Send command (it'll send keystrokes). And you can shutdown Windows at any time by using the shutdown.exe tool included in Windows. The run box is very useful, you can execute single commands from it. You can get to it by opening the start menu and selecting the Run option, or by pressing the Windows key + R. Eg. this will shut down Windows in 60 seconds and it uses the shutdown.exe tool. Code: shutdown -s -t 60 Abort the shutdown with Code: shutdown -a You can actually make a shortcut which shuts down the computer, there's a video on Youtube.