Auto Dialer in DOS, is it even possible?

[TheShadow]

Is it possible, to build an Auto Dialer in DOS, to dial an 877 number, then wait a minute, hang up, wait a minute and dial it again. 

Here's the deal, , , three times a day starting at just after 8AM, I get a call from a bill collector, demanding I pay them for an old credit card that I never even had.
Even after I changed my phone number, they somehow got my new number and the calls resumed.

I'd like to call them back and let them know just how  annoying that unwanted calls can be.

Can it be done with a DOS batch file?

thank you!
The Shadow 
PS:  I know, there are some really GOOD DOS programmers on this forum.  I'm hoping some one of you can help me.

[Ocalabob]

Greetings The Shadow!

“Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men? The Shadow knows!”

Yes it is possible but a batch file like that could be mis-used so
no script lines from me plus I do not have a land line for testing.

Having typed that, a few hints if you want to 'roll your own'.

1. You'll need a land line and a dial-up modem.
2. If you have XP or better, search for dialer.exe and use that.
3. If dialer.exe is not available then you'll need to review the
   Hayes set of AT commands. COM1, ATDT and ATH comes to mind.
4. If you use option number 3 then I suggest you review the FOR and
   PING DOS commands and create a loop.
   
I believe there are better ways to solve your harassing phone calls but
that would be OT for this forum.

Best wishes! Loved your radio program!

[foxidrive]

This might work under Win7:

I don't have an internal modem to try it.  Alter the com3: port to the one the modem is using, and add the phone number in place of AAAABBBB

Code: [Select]

@echo off
set modem=com3:
 MODE %modem% BAUD=2400 PARITY=n DATA=8 STOP=1
:loop
echo atdt AAAABBBB >%modem%
ping -n 60 localhost >nul
goto :loop

[TheShadow]

Thanks guys!

I need time to set up a separate computer for the purpose,
so that may take me a day or two.  I don't use a telephone modem in
my main PC, since getting Cable.  (like, who does?)  I have Win-XP-Pro.

Bob, in prison they can turn a spoon into a knife, so many useful things can
be turned into weapons of destruction, even a batch file.  A simple one-liner
can wipe a hard drive clean!
I understand your reluctance.

It's amazing, how fast we can forget things we don't use anymore, like
programming a modem from a batch file.  I did it years ago, but like
programming my Commodore 64 computer, I've forgotten all of it.

Thanks again,
Shadow 

[TheShadow]

OK,  the batch file looked good, but I couldn't get it to work, even after changing the com port to conform to my modem.

There is still a problem getting the modem to just turn ON and then dial the phone number, even when I used Dialer.exe in windows.

I don't know if the problem is in the DOS syntax, the modem or just me.  But hey..... I'll get it eventually.

I  want to thank Y'all for your help.   It's got me started off in the right direction.

Thanks again,
Shadow 

[Fed]

I've forgotten what little I knew about manually dialing up other than...

ATZ <enter> and the modem would respond with OK. (I had a Z modem)

ATDT phone number <enter> and the modem would start dialing.

[foxidrive]

OK,  the batch file looked good, but I couldn't get it to work, even after changing the com port to conform to my modem.

There is still a problem getting the modem to just turn ON and then dial the phone number, even when I used Dialer.exe in windows.

What do you mean when you say turn the modem ON?  Is it an external modem?

[foxidrive]

Try this version if the modem is internal or is switch on if it is external.  I forgot that AT is case sensitive in some modems.

Code: [Select]

@echo off
set modem=com3:
 MODE %modem% BAUD=2400 PARITY=n DATA=8 STOP=1
:loop
echo ATDT AAAABBBB>%modem%
ping -n 60 localhost >nul
goto :loop

[Fed]

I've got a funny feeling there is no space between ATDT and the phone number.

[Fed]

Sorry guys it's been brought to my attention that this is against the CH Rules.

If you’re looking for help with getting revenge on someone else or hacking into a program or service look elsewhere.  This also includes supposedly "harmless" pranks.  This is not what Computer Hope was designed for.

[Allan]

Let's just lock this thread, shall we?

[TheShadow]

It's OK. 
I understand and certainly didn't mean to break forum rules.

My modem is a ZOOM, USB, external modem.  It did work great when accessing my
Dial Up ISP, but I've not used it since going Cable, some time ago.
It does have an ON light and a data light.  I just can't get it to come ON and then stay on
for the dialing process.

The batch file aside, even when I use "Dialer.exe" in Windows, it's not working.
Apparently, I need to get that working first.

Thanks for everyone's help.
Shadow 

[quaxo]

I know this is a bit old, but I just wanted to add something to this.

TheShadow, if you are getting calls from a collection agency about a credit card you never had, there are things you can do that don't involve getting revenge. Even debtors have rights.

If you've come back to read this and you're still getting calls, let me know. My mother and brother both work in collections (the very type of people that are calling you) and I could ask them what steps you need to take in order to end the calling and get your name cleared. I'm not offering to do these steps for you or ask my family to do them, just instruct you on what you need to do and leave it at that.

Besides, the phone systems most of these places have are automated multi-line systems. You won't get anywhere with what you're proposing. They probably wouldn't even notice.

I wouldn't bother trying to hide or change your number. Trust me, as you have seen, they have ways of finding you again.

[foxidrive]

That's probably the better thing to do.

But if anyone comes back to this in the future for any reason, I shifted the >%modem% to the front of the line because of the issue with numbers before redirection characters.

Code: [Select]

@echo off
set modem=com3:
 MODE %modem% BAUD=2400 PARITY=n DATA=8 STOP=1
:loop
>%modem% echo ATDT AAAABBBB
ping -n 60 localhost >nul
goto :loop