Shortcut to batch file won't honor the ? to allow me to key parameters

[moreCA]

Using WinXP Pro. I have a shortcut to a DOS batch file that I need to key in some parameters. A question mark at the end of the target command line should give me a parameter box and wait for me to enter them, but it does not. I used a shortcut in this way in Win98 and it never gave any problems. Any ideas on this?

Thanks,
CA

 

[linney]

Perhaps it has been removed from XP, this link talks about something similar (I think). In any case I couldn't get your (?) to work on my XP either.

http://groups-beta.google.com/group..._doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#ffea0194d85c4d9a

 

[bcastner]

A good link linney, (although I am with William Allen who suggest formally scripting input boxes in your link).

What happens if you call COMMAND.COM instead of the native use of CMD.EXE?

I honestly never new there was a ? input box available under earlier release of Windows. I just wrote the routines.

 

[eyec]

i thought it was the % that accepted input in batch files.

 

[moreCA]

You are correct eyec about accepting input in batch files with the %, although the original question is talking about the ? in the shortcut to the batch file. The ? is supposed to tell the shortcut to give a input box for the user to key in parameters.

Guys...I'm a VB programmer so I have the means to get this done, but I thought I would take the easiest route, seeing that I already was using this batch file/shortcut way of doing a particular task in Win98. If it comes down to creating a program in VB to do the same thing, then so be it. Thanks for the input though.

CA

 

[eyec]

i thought the ? was usually used to query the "command" help parameters or switches available for the "command".

not having W98 available i am going from memory and you know what they say the first thing to go when you get old is - i can't remember.