[RESOLVED]How to have text automatically filled when the process starts?

[Battalion]

If I make a button that starts command prompt:

Process.Start "cmd.exe"

I want text to be entered as soon as it starts. Like "ipconfig" is typed in by the pc, and hit "enter" automatically. Little Help?

[keystone_paul]

I don't know if there's any better way of doing it (as cmd.exe doesn't take command line arguments), but you can use sendkeys to achieve the desired effect :

    Process.Start("cmd.exe")
    My.Computer.Keyboard.SendKeys("ipconfig" & vbCrLf)

[xCalliba]

lol i was just trying that... didnt work on mine though. works for notepad though..

[keystone_paul]

you could probably do this by utilising the my.computer.keyboard.sendkeys event. . .

Wish I'd thought of that

EDIT - ah I see the hasty edit, however I've tested the exact code above on my vista machine and it works fine - can't see why it would work on notepad but not on command prompt.

[xCalliba]

hmm, im usin windows 7. either it dont like that, or my machine lol
Battalion, have you considered making a script to do it for you?

[jmcilhinney]

There is a submission in the VB.NET CodeBank forum from gigemboy that deals with this topic specifically.

[Battalion]

I don't know if there's any better way of doing it (as cmd.exe doesn't take command line arguments), but you can use sendkeys to achieve the desired effect :

    Process.Start("cmd.exe")
    My.Computer.Keyboard.SendKeys("ipconfig" & vbCrLf)

Ok I will try this.

[Battalion]

There is a submission in the VB.NET CodeBank forum from gigemboy that deals with this topic specifically.

Right. I searched the database, and tracked down user "gigemboy's" posts. I found a "Automate Command Prompt" Article that deals with this, here it is:

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=381405

[keystone_paul]

Yep - I've just been looking at that myself.

Thats definitely a "better way of doing it".

[Battalion]

I don't know if there's any better way of doing it (as cmd.exe doesn't take command line arguments), but you can use sendkeys to achieve the desired effect :

    Process.Start("cmd.exe")
    My.Computer.Keyboard.SendKeys("ipconfig" & vbCrLf)

Bingo! This code works. A new rep for paul

[keystone_paul]

Thanks, however you should note that gigemboy's way of doing it is more robust... under some circumstances it is possible that the SendKeys approach may fail (if another window steals the focus between the command window opening and the send keys executing - its unlikely but there is a chance).

Also if Windows 7 prevents command prompt windows receiving send keys messages, it may not be viable on that platform, however gigemboy's should.