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Topic: «Automating AWM back-ups » on forum: Technical Support   Views: 6262
 
Pim Joosten
Resident
 
 Posts: 549
Joined: 11/11/2010
Posted: 10/31/2011 07:50:01
 
 
 I want to automate my AWM back-ups and am planning to use the command line option to do so. Up till now I have been copying the files in C:\Users\Pim\AppData\Roaming\Actual Tools\Actual Window Manager with an automated task, but I have found that this will copy some files that I do not need and it does not copy the registry settings. AWM’s own back-up procedure covers that all perfectly and therefore I want to change my back-up method.

I was successful in creating a shortcut that works, but I can not use the Task Scheduler to automate a shortcut. If I do that, Task scheduler wants to start the program that is included in the shortcut and not the shortcut itself. I have then tried to enter the correct additional parameters, but I apparently do not enter the paths and/or command for AWM correctly, so it does not work.

I have also tried to write a batch file, but I can apparently not write a good one that works. Could you please help me out? Even though I have written some batch files many years ago, it apparently has changed or I have forgotten how to do it correctly. I think a batch file is the best way to go if I combine it with the Task Scheduler.

The location of ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe is C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager. I want to add the parameter: Backup "F:\Pim\Documents\ICT beheer\Backups\Backups\Actual Window Manager\Vista PC\AWM Backup Vista PC.zip"

I have tried:

START /D "C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager" ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe BACKUP "F:\Pim\Documents\ICT beheer\Backups\Backups\Actual Window Manager\Vista PC\AWM Backup Vista PC.zip"

and

PUSHD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager"
START /WAIT ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe BACKUP "F:\Pim\Documents\ICT beheer\Backups\Backups\Actual Window Manager\Vista PC\AWM Backup Vista PC.zip"
POPD

and also

cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager"
START /WAIT ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe BACKUP "F:\Pim\Documents\ICT beheer\Backups\Backups\Actual Window Manager\Vista PC\AWM Backup Vista PC.zip"

All batch files have failed. I think I must be doing wrong some basic thing in the batch file. Can you help me out? Any help is greatly appreciated.

I am using AWM 6.7 on a computer with Vista Ultimate 64-bit and on my laptop I use Vista Ultimate 32-bit.

Many thanks!
 
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Vasiliy Ivachev
Administrator
-retired-
 
 Posts: 2073
Joined: 11/09/2010
Posted: 11/01/2011 01:58:11
 
 
 Hello Pim,

Thanks for the post.

Could you check whether these your batch  files works correctly without Task Scheduler or not:
Quote
1) PUSHD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager"
START /WAIT ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe BACKUP "F:\Pim\Documents\ICT beheer\Backups\Backups\Actual Window Manager\Vista PC\AWM Backup Vista PC.zip"
POPD
2) cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager"
START /WAIT ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe BACKUP "F:\Pim\Documents\ICT beheer\Backups\Backups\Actual Window Manager\Vista PC\AWM Backup Vista PC.zip"
?

If they works correctly, you should check in Task Scheduler what account you are running these files under.

Best regards.
 
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Pim Joosten
Resident
 
 Posts: 549
Joined: 11/11/2010
Posted: 11/02/2011 02:12:14
 
 
 Thank you Vasiliy. Your reply helped me solve it. I had already tried to directly execute the batch files you mentioned without using the Task Scheduler, but they failed. Because the contents of these 2 batch files should be good according to your post, I did some further research. I had originally typed in the batch file in WordPerfect and then saved it as Unicode text, where it should have been ASCII DOS text. I discovered that was why the batch file could not be executed properly. Also, I noticed that I should be careful about which “” I use in both a batch file or the Task Scheduler, because that makes much difference too. The standard “” is not the right one. One should have the straight "".

I have also been able to make a Task Scheduler task that works without a batch file. It turns out to be better than a batch file, because when I run a batch I will always see a command box quickly opening and closing. That does not happen when I run the back-up from the Task Scheduler.

Now for those of you who want to automate the AWM backup, here’s the procedure. I include a description of both a batch file and making a task in the Task Scheduler.

In a batch file include:

@echo off
C:
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager"
START /WAIT ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe BACKUP "X:\<path>\<filename>.zip"

The rule “C:” only needs to be included if the batch file is run from a different partition than C:. If you are running a 32-bit system the 3rd line should be cd "C:\Program Files\Actual Window Manager", hence without (x86) after Program Files. Path and filename indicate the path and filename you want to set for your back-up file.


If you want to set up a task in Task Scheduler, after opening a new task enter the following:
- in the tab Actions choose Start a program
- under settings browse to ActualWindowManagerCenter.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\Actual Window Manager (64-bit Windows) or C:\Program Files\Actual Window Manager (32-bit Windows).
- Add as arguments: BACKUP "X:\<path>\<filename>.zip"
- enter all other settings (e.g. triggers, settings) as you want to have it.

That should do the trick.
Best regards.
 
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Vasiliy Ivachev
Administrator
-retired-
 
 Posts: 2073
Joined: 11/09/2010
Posted: 11/02/2011 20:03:01
 
 
 Hello Pim,

Thanks again for this post!

I think this will be very useful for other users.

Best regards.
 
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