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writing win 98 batch files

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by samuelfisher2000

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I would like to write some batch files to help my win98 system run more smoothly. I would like to write batch files to: 1.Securely delete files and folders.
2.Manage the programs that start when Windows does.
3.Track and report on changes made to my system when
installing programs.

I'm quite new to PC's , but I did take a class in html, and I was told that using html was a good way to write batch files. Is this true? IF so, how do I do it? If not how would I write these batch files and enter them into my system? If I can't do some of these things with batch files are there any kind of system hack or procedure for me to acomplish them, without purchasing or downloading any kind of utility.

10 replies

by xfeard

Hello!.
I think you can make your batch files for doing what you want with DOS BATCH.
You can create a batch file with Notepad and save it as "mybatch.bat" including quotes.

1.
Don't forget to move to the directory previously any operation with:
CD \MYDIR
If you want to delete a file put this:
DEL MYFILE.EXT
If you want to delete all the files:
ECHO Y|DEL *.*
Sample 1:
CD \UT
ECHO Y|DEL *.TXT
This delete every TXT files in the UT directory.

If you want to delete a directory with every files and every directory inside:
ECHO Y|DELTREE C:\MYDIR

Note: the ECHO Y| behind is to automaticaly answer the question 'Yes or Not'.

2.
You can also execute any program from here, put the path and name like this:
"C:\My Programs\Ed\program.exe" including quotes.

Your third point is more complicated and need more times to make in a batch file, but i think some third party freeware program can do the best.

If you need more help, ask me by email.
Good luke.

by shanghai sam

Thanks a lot, your information was very clear and should help me out a great deal. I might be emailing you if I have any problems.

Sam

by maxwell edison

Greetings,

I used to write dozens of batch files back in the "DOS" days. If you can find on old DOS book you'll have access to most all batch commands that will work within Windows, as well as tons of tips on implementing them.(DOS version 6.0 or6.22 would be the best one, but 5.0 would be fine as well.) It would also be handy to just browse through, and you'll get ideas you haven't even thought of.

Do a Web search >> writing batch files <<.

You'll get a lot of useful hits including the folowing:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/ssusexp98/html/ssugewriting_batch_files.asp

http://www.chami.com/tips/windows/010897W.html

http://pub46.ezboard.com/fgeektechnicafrm38.showMessage?topicID=4.topic
http://www.merlyn.demon.co.uk/batfiles.htm

(REMOVE SPACES if they snuck into the pasted URL.)

Good luck,

Maxwell

by tjc

What do you mean by "securely delete" - when using a batch file all it does is not put the files in the recycle bin, what you need for a "secure" delete is something like Norton utilities Wipe command.

When you want to "manage the programs" I guess you mean the start folder? batch commands really will not help you with that to easily since you would have to move/change the start folders LNK files. Unless your talkign about windows policy editor. I would suggest you look into Norton Desktop or Fortress 101 for locking down any thing on the start menu.

Batch files don't have any way of watching what changes on your computer. What you need , and I'm drawing a blank for the name of a program out there to do it, is the roll back feature that 2000 has and also XP has for going back to a fixed point, I can't think what Norton calls it.

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