Batch File Help

[Crackerjack]

Working on a batch file that will do backups for me and I came across a problem that I couldn't figure out. I know how to create a batch file that will do backups with a pre-set source and destination folder, but I was wondering how to make one that will prompt the user for the source destination and target destination instead. Any suggestions would be helpul.

[vass0922]

There's an app in the win2k resource kit called 'choice.exe' which will allow you to put in questions for user interaction.

Realize though, they won't exactly have a pretty GUI to point a directory too. Not sure what type of users this is for... but chances are the user will just hit return to get rid of it. If its non technical users I doubt they'd know how to decide if they want it to to go to C:\Backup or whatever.

Welcome to TechIMO

[Crackerjack]

Thanks for the welcome vass0922.

I'm not worried about having a pretty GUI at all. Im going to be the only one using it so if I just have to type in the whole directory that would be fine. I was wondering if there was just some coding I could type in for the prompt instead of having to use something like 'choice.exe'. If that is the only option, then I will go ahead and explore it more. Thanks for the reply.

[OuTpaTienT]

What OS are you running?


http://www.robvanderwoude.com/userinput.html


and this is nifty for NT:
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBA/tip0300/rh0323.htm

[John Prophet]

A recent thread about backup batch files http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...threadid=74342

As you see, Im not the expert, lol.

I would think about looking at xcopy's options, or "switches" some of them, like /y /w or /p prompt for user interaction

JP

[Crackerjack]

Im currently running Windows XP Prof.

I tried using the copy con from the link provided but keep getting an error stating "cannot perform a cyclic copy". Im not sure why I keep getting that error even though I read the reasons why it may occur. I'm going to post a bit of what I was playing around with and see if anyone can gather anything from it. Im trying to keep it fairly simple, but it seems that I wont be able to for much longer .



@echo off

REM Create backup copy of a foler, including all files in subfolders

echo Please provide the source folder:

COPY CON source

echo Please provide the destination folder:

COPY CON destination

XCOPY source destination /D /E

pause



I also read the other thread but they were dealing with a pre-determined source and destination.

[meese]

Cj,

The COPY CON command just takes input from the keyboard and sticks it into a file. Type the following at the command prompt and press ENTER:

COPY CON Diskinfo.bat

Then type the following while pressing ENTER after each:

VOL
CHKDSK
PAUSE
DIR
PAUSE

Then press F6 and then ENTER.

Now type Diskinfo at the command prompt.

You basically created a batch file on the fly that is stored at c:\. If you go there you will see a file called Diskinfo.bat.

You cannot do what you are trying to do with this command.

Check c:\ after you run your program. You will find two FILES not DIRECTORIES that were created. The COPY CON will only create files.