Help needed to set up a batch file

[AlanHo]

I know this is probably very simple - but I am a simple chap and not at all computer savvy.

I am having a problem with my backup program called Second Copy which is interfering with Vista close down.

Second Copy software support have suggested a solution which involves setting up a batch file and running it from a desktop shortcut.

I know how to set up a desktop shortcut but haven't a clue how to set up a batch file.

Can one of our kind experts please lead me gently by the hand and in simple language advise me how to do it.

the Email from support says....

You can use the command line options to create a batch file.

Please try creating a batch file that contains the following lines for the profiles and then create a shortcut for this batch file:

Start "title" "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe"

"C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 1"

"C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" /ExitWhenIdle

Where the word "title" can be any word and "Profile 1" is the name of the profile.

Help with this would be appreciated. For your information there is the need to run 3 profiles in sequence before Vista is asked to close down.

[Chris]

I take it "Profile 1" is something you have saved, within Second Copy?

So when you start "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 1" it will run profile 1, whatever that is.

It would be best if you had something like:

START "" /WAIT "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 1"

START "" /WAIT "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 2"

START "" /WAIT "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 3"

"C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" /ExitWhenIdle

The START "" /WAIT tells the bacth file to wait until it is finished and then to go to the next one along...

Second Copy may not allow diffferent things happening at the same time, so you might not need START "" /WAIT.

If you want Vista to shutdown when Second Copy has finished then you'll need to add:

shutdown -s

So you should have:

START "" /WAIT "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 1"

START "" /WAIT "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 2"

START "" /WAIT "C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" "Profile 3"

"C:\Program Files\SecCopy\seccopy.exe" /ExitWhenIdle

shutdown -s

To create a bacth file open a new text document and Save as the file. Name the file anything you want but add .bat on the end.

[AlanHo]

Thanks Chris - you are a star.

[Chris]

Twice? ...Well it must be true

[AlanHo]

Got the batch file up and running beautifully thanks to your help Chris. As you intimated - I also tried a file without the "Start Wait" prefixes and it also worked correctly.

I now have a button on my desktop which when clicked starts my Second Copy programme which takes copies of all changed documents and writes them to both a second internal hard drive and a removable external USB hard drive. Having completed the backups - Windows Vista shuts down and the computer switches itself off.

I also have the computer plugged into an intelliplug socket - so when it switches off it automatically kills the power to my printers, scanner, sound system, and other accessories.