Windows Admin Scripting Little Black Book- P25 ppsx

To eject a CD using the Media Player 7 object model and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows: Create a new directory to store all files included in this example.. Download and install

Playing an Audio File Using KiXtart

KiXtart has the built-in ability to play a WAV or SPK file using the Play command To play an audio file using KiXtart,

proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and extract the latest version of KiXtart, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “kix32 scriptfile”

Here, scriptfile is the full path of the new directory from step 1 and file name of a script file that contains the

following:

$Aud = "filename"

Play File $Aud

Here, filename is the full path and file name of the WAV or SPK file to play

Scripting the Microsoft Media Player

Windows NT/2000 includes a free application called Media Player, designed to play audio and video files

Mplay32.exe is the 32-bit version of the standard Media Player, and this utility can play audio, video, and DirectShow files This utility supports a limited amount of command-line switches

Microsoft Media Player 7 is a Windows add-on that provides extremely enhanced functionality when compared to the older Windows multimedia players Some of these features include media rights, MP3 (Motion Pictures Expert Group Layer 3 Audio) support, video streaming, radio tuners, and play list support This player is intended to be the core Windows multimedia player and manager while replacing the older, built-in multimedia players, such as

CDPlayer.exe and Mplay32.exe This utility has limited support for Windows Script Host

Playing a Media File from the Command Line

To play and then close a media file using Mplay32.exe and shell scripting, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Select Start|Run and enter “scriptfile.bat”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

@Echo Off

MPLAY32 /PLAY /CLOSE "filename"

Here, filename is the full path and file name to play

Playing a Media File Using Windows Script Host

To play and then close a media file using Mplay32.exe and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install the latest version of Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new

directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set SHELL = CreateObject("wscript.shell")

SHELL.Run "MPLAY32 /PLAY /CLOSE filename",0

Here, filename is the full path and file name to play The value 0 within the Run command causes the media player

to be hidden

Playing Multiple Media Files Using a Play List

Many new audio players (for example, winamp) utilize play lists to play one audio file after another To play multiple media files using a play list, Mplay32.exe, and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install the latest version of Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new

directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

PlayList ("playlist")

SUB PlayList(TXTfile)

Set SHELL = CreateObject("wscript.shell")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

Set readfile = FSO.OpenTextFile(TXTfile, 1, false)

1

Do while readfile.AtEndOfStream <> true

contents = Trim(readfile.Readline)

If contents <> "" Then

SHELL.RUN "MPLAY32 /PLAY /CLOSE " & contents,3,True

End If

Loop

End Sub

Here, playlist is the full path and file name of a playlist file Each line of this file contains the full path and file name of

an audio file to play

Tip

The value 3 within the SHELL.RUN command specifies to maximize the player You can change this value to 0 if you would like the player hidden

Ejecting a CD Using Windows Script Host

Microsoft Media Player 7 does not currently support access through Windows Script Host You can, however, use the Media Player 7 object model to display information and control the CD player To eject a CD using the Media Player

7 object model and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install Microsoft Media Player 7 and the latest version of Windows Script Host, from

www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set MPlayer = CreateObject("WMPlayer.OCX.7")

MPlayer.cdromCollection.item(x).eject()

Here, x is the number of the CD-ROM drive (starting at 0)

Ejecting All CDs Using Windows Script Host

To eject all CDs using the Media Player 7 object model and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install Microsoft Media Player 7 and the latest version of Windows Script Host, from

www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set MPlayer = CreateObject("WMPlayer.OCX.7")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

Count=-1

For Each Drive in FSO.Drives

If Drive.DriveType = 4 Then

Count=Count+1

End If

Next

If Count > -1 Then

For x = 0 to Count

MPlayer.cdromCollection.item(x).eject()

Next

End If

Here, a DriveType value of 4 indicates a CD-ROM player

Scripting RealPlayer G2

RealPlayer G2 is an advanced multimedia player from Real Networks (www.real.com) Although this player is commonly used to play streaming media on the Internet, you can use these same ActiveX control calls to script RealPlayer using Windows Script Host

1

2

Playing an Audio File

To play an audio file using the RealPlayer ActiveX control and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows: Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

Download and install the latest version of Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Download and install the latest version of RealPlayer G2, from www.real.com, to the new directory

4 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set RPlayer = CreateObject("rmocx.RealPlayer G2 Control.1")

RPlayer.SetSource "file:filename"

RPlayer.DoPlay

Wscript.Echo "Press OK to end."

Here, filename is the full path and file name to play

Playing an Audio File with Windows Script Host Controls

To play an audio file with basic controls using the RealPlayer ActiveX control and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1

2

Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

Download and install the latest version of Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Download and install the latest version of RealPlayer G2, from www.real.com, to the new directory

4 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set RPlayer = CreateObject("rmocx.RealPlayer G2 Control.1")

CMD = 2

Do While CMD <> 10

Select Case CMD

Case 0

RPlayer.DoPlay

Case 1

RPlayer.DoPause

Case 2

If AUD = "" Then AUD = "filename"

AUD = InputBox("Please enter the name of the audio file

to play", "Audio File", AUD)

RPlayer.SetSource "file:" & AUD

Case 3

WScript.Quit

End Select

Message = "Choose a command:" & vblf & vblf & _

"0: Play file" & vblf & _

"1: Pause file" & vblf & _

"2: Choose file" & vblf & _

"3: Quit" & vblf

CMD = InputBox(Message, "RealPlayer Commands", "0")

Loop

Note

The highlighted code above must be entered as one paragraph

Here, filename is the full path and file name to play

Playing Multiple Audio Files Using a Play List

Many new audio players (for example, winamp) utilize play lists to play one audio file after another To play multiple media files using a play list, the RealPlayer ActiveX control, and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1

2

Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

Download and install the latest version of Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Download and install the latest version of RealPlayer G2, from www.real.com, to the new directory

PlayList ("playlist")

4 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set RPlayer = CreateObject("rmocx.RealPlayer G2 Control.1")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

Set readfile = FSO.OpenTextFile(TXTfile, 1, false)

Wscript.Echo "Press OK to end."

SUB PlayList(TXTfile)

Do while readfile.AtEndOfStream <> true

filename = Trim(readfile.Readline)

If filename <> "" Then

RPlayer.SetSource "file:filename"

RPlayer.DoPlay

End If

Loop

End Sub

Here, filename is the full path and file name to play

Scripting the Office Assistant

The Office Assistant is an interactive animated character used to help and entertain users of Microsoft Office You can only access the assistant object model through an Office application object model This means that you must have an Office application installed in order to automate an office assistant To script the Office Assistant in Excel using Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Install the latest version of Microsoft Excel

3 Download and install the latest version of Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

4 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

Set objXL = CreateObject("Excel.Application")

objXL.Workbooks.Add

objXL.Visible = False

objXL.Assistant.Visible = True

With objXL.Assistant

Reduced = True

Left = 300

Top = 300

MoveWhenInTheWay = True

End With

Set Balloon = objXL.Assistant.NewBalloon

Balloon.Heading = "Multiple Selections"

Balloon.Text = "Please make a selection"

Balloon.CheckBoxes(1).Text = "Selection 1"

Balloon.CheckBoxes(2).Text = "Selection 2"

Balloon.Show

If Balloon.CheckBoxes(1).Checked Then

Wscript.Echo "You selected check box 1."

End If

If Balloon.CheckBoxes(2).Checked Then

Wscript.Echo "You selected check box 2."

End If

objXL.quit

Automating Applications through an Application Object 96

Scripting Microsoft Agent Using Windows Script Host

Microsoft Agent is an ActiveX technology that allows you to use animated characters to present information to your users This technology can be used in presentations, logon scripts, new user setups, and any other situation where

an interaction is needed

Scripting a Character to Speak

Many developers use Microsoft Agent to entertain, educate, or guide their users through a process To script a Microsoft Agent character to speak using Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install the latest version of Microsoft Agent, a text-to-speech engine, a Microsoft Agent

character, and Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set SHELL = CreateObject("wscript.shell")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

aCHAR = "charname"

Set ACTL = CreateObject("Agent.Control.2")

ACTL.Connected = True

If Not IsObject(ACTL) Then

Wscript.Echo "Microsoft Agent was not found on your " & _

"system." & vblf & "Please install and try again."

Wscript.Quit

End If

ACTL.Connected = True

ACTL.Characters.Load aCHAR, aCHAR & ".acs"

If Err.Number <> 0 Then

Wscript.Echo "Could not locate the Agent called " & aCHAR

Wscript.Quit

End If

Set CREF = ACTL.Characters(aCHAR)

CREF.Show

CREF.Speak "Hello there!"

WScript.Echo "Press OK to close"

Here, charname is the name of the agent character to use

Scripting a Character to Speak a WAV File

Microsoft Agent has the ability to accept a WAV (WAVeform Audio) file and appear to speak it based on the gaps of silence detected This allows you to use a real voice, as opposed to a synthesized voice, to speak to your users To use Microsoft Agent to speak a WAV file, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install the latest version of Microsoft Agent, a text-to-speech engine, a Microsoft Agent

character, and Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set SHELL = CreateObject("wscript.shell")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

aCHAR = "charname"

Set ACTL = CreateObject("Agent.Control.2")

ACTL.Connected = True

If Not IsObject(ACTL) Then

Wscript.Echo "Microsoft Agent was not found on your " & _

"system." & vblf & "Please install and try again."

Wscript.Quit

End If

ACTL.Connected = True

ACTL.Characters.Load aCHAR, aCHAR & ".acs"

If Err.Number <> 0 Then

Wscript.Echo "Could not locate the Agent called " & aCHAR

Wscript.Quit

End If

Set CREF = ACTL.Characters(aCHAR)

CREF.Show

CREF.Speak "", "WAVFile"

WScript.Echo "Press OK to close"

Here, charname is the name of the agent character to use, and WAVFile is the full path and file name of the WAV

file to use

Scripting a Character to Sing

You can make the Microsoft Agent appear to sing by modifying the pitch and speed of the agent’s voice To make a Microsoft Agent character sing the Imperial March from Star Wars, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install the latest version of Microsoft Agent, a text-to-speech engine, a Microsoft Agent

character, and Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set SHELL = CreateObject("wscript.shell")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

aCHAR = "charname"

Set ACTL = CreateObject("Agent.Control.2")

ACTL.Connected = True

If Not IsObject(ACTL) Then

Wscript.Echo "Microsoft Agent was not found on your " & _

"system." & vblf & "Please install and try again."

Wscript.Quit

End If

ACTL.Connected = True

ACTL.Characters.Load aCHAR, aCHAR & ".acs"

If Err.Number <> 0 Then

Wscript.Echo "Could not locate the Agent called " & aCHAR

Wscript.Quit

End If

Set CREF = ACTL.Characters(aCHAR)

CREF.Show

CREF.Speak "\Chr=""Monotone""\\Map=""\Pit=98\\Spd=50\DUN DUN

\Spd=134\DUN \Spd=50\DUN \Pit=78\DUN \Pit=117\\Spd=200\DUN

\Pit=98\\Spd=50\DUN \Pit=78\DUN \Pit=117\\Spd=150\DUN

\Pit=98\\Spd=50\DUN""=""""\"

CREF.Speak "\Chr=""Monotone""\\Map=""\Pit=147\\Spd=50\DUN

DUN DUN \Pit=156\\Spd=67\DUN \Pit=117\\Spd=134\DUN

\Pit=92\\Spd=67\DUN \Pit=78\\Spd=80\DUN \Pit=117

\\Spd=77\DUN \Pit=98\\Spd=67\DUN""=""""\"

Wscript.Echo "Press OK to end the show"

Note

The highlighted code above must be placed on one line

Here, charname is the name of the agent character to use

Scripting a Character to Read

You can make the Microsoft Agent speak any text that you can interpret in Windows Script Host To make a Microsoft Agent character read a text file using Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install the latest version of Microsoft Agent, a text-to-speech engine, a Microsoft Agent character, and Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set SHELL = CreateObject("wscript.shell")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

aCHAR = "charname"

Set ACTL = CreateObject("Agent.Control.2")

ACTL.Connected = True

If Not IsObject(ACTL) Then

Wscript.Echo "Microsoft Agent was not found on your " & _

"system." & vblf & "Please install and try again."

Wscript.Quit

End If

ACTL.Connected = True

SUB ReadTXT(TXTfile)

Do while readfile.AtEndOfStream <> true

ACTL.Characters.Load aCHAR, aCHAR & ".acs"

If Err.Number <> 0 Then

Wscript.Echo "Could not locate the Agent called " & aCHAR

Wscript.Quit

End If

Set CREF = ACTL.Characters(aCHAR)

CREF.Show

ReadTXT ("textfile")

WScript.Echo "Press OK to close"

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

Set readfile = FSO.OpenTextFile(TXTfile, 1, false)

contents = readfile.Readline

If contents <> "" THEN

CREF.Speak contents

End IF

Loop

contents = NULL

readfile.close

End Sub

Here, charname is the name of the agent character to use, and textfile is the full path and file name of the text file to

read

Scripting a Character to Check for Events

In Chapter 7, you learned how to check for events using Windows Management Instrumentation To make a

Microsoft Agent character notify you of events using WMI and Windows Script Host, proceed as follows:

1 Create a new directory to store all files included in this example

2 Download and install the latest version of Microsoft Agent, a text-to-speech engine, the Merlin Microsoft Agent character, WMI, and Windows Script Host, from www.microsoft.com, to the new directory

3 Select Start|Run and enter “cscript scriptfile.vbs”

Here, scriptfile is the full path and file name of a script file that contains the following:

On Error Resume Next

Set SHELL = CreateObject("wscript.shell")

Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

aCHAR = "Merlin"