Batch file? How to tell if a prog is running. If not, run?

[AaronStarr]

I am writing a simple batch file to start multiple programs.

Ex.:

start /d "C:\Program Files\RocketDock" RocketDock.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files\TrayClock" trayclock.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files\SystemScheduler" WScheduler.exe
cmd.exe

What command(s) do I use to have the batch file FIRST check (automatically) to see if a program is running, and run the program if it is NOT already running?

[[ Thanks in advance, I've looked and I just can't seem to find the answer. ]]

[marvinengland]

http://www.computerhope.com/download/winxp.htm

Download tasklist.exe   and findstr "myprog"  from output of tasklist

[Salmon Trout]

example

Code: [Select]

tasklist | findstr "RocketDock.exe">nul || start /d "C:\Program Files\RocketDock" RocketDock.exe

[AaronStarr]

Thanks to both of you. That's exactly what I was looking for. I just recently started dabbling around with batch files to help me with productivity.

Your insight is much appreciated.

[AaronStarr]

Oops. Actually, it didn't work exactly.

I downloaded 'tasklist.exe' and installed that (as *marvinengland* suggested). And then I used the code that *Salmon Trout* mentioned. I thought it worked, but it didn't.

When I run it in a batch file, I get: 'ERROR: Class not registered'... and it runs the program anyway. This happens whether the program was already running or not.

What am I doing wrong?

I appreciate the help. 

[Salmon Trout]

When I run it in a batch file, I get: 'ERROR: Class not registered'... and it runs the program anyway.

That error means that a COM object is not registered correctly, I believe. You have a software setup problem.

Does tasklist work on its own?

[MendMyComputer]

I am writing a simple batch file to start multiple programs.

Ex.:

start /d "C:\Program Files\RocketDock" RocketDock.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files\TrayClock" trayclock.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files\SystemScheduler" WScheduler.exe
cmd.exe

What command(s) do I use to have the batch file FIRST check (automatically) to see if a program is running, and run the program if it is NOT already running?

[[ Thanks in advance, I've looked and I just can't seem to find the answer. ]]

My input might be a little late on this one but I used to do lots of bat files for this sort of thing until i found a free app called autohotkey, which has very good documentation and how to's and will allow you to do this task very easily. Take a look at it here as it may be what you're looking for, and can do so much more than just this www.autohotkey.com

[AaronStarr]

THANKS *MendMyComputer* !!

I looked into That "AutoHotKey" program.

It's Awesome... and Powerful too. Wow. That prog. solves a lot of problems for me (that I was trying to figure out with .bat files).

Thanks again.

[MendMyComputer]

Only just come back to see your reply. Glad to see someone reacted the same way i did when i first found that little gem of a program Autohotkey is just awesme!!!