cmd vs command prompt and completing file/folder names

[W. eWatson]

It seems to me that cmd, as entered in Start->Run is the same as Command
Prompt under Accessories. I suppose the difference is the former allows for
arguments, correct?

Anyway, I'd like to use file/folder completion. It seems like I should be
able to do this w/o modifying the registry by just entering in Run:
/F:ON
However, that doesn't do it. I tried using Ctrl-F and -D. What's up?


--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[BillW50]

In W. eWatson typed on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:06:22 -0700:

It seems to me that cmd, as entered in Start->Run is the same as
Command Prompt under Accessories. I suppose the difference is the
former allows for arguments, correct?

Anyway, I'd like to use file/folder completion. It seems like I
should be able to do this w/o modifying the registry by just entering
in Run: /F:ON
However, that doesn't do it. I tried using Ctrl-F and -D. What's up?

Command Prompt under Accessories Properties
%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe

Yup, the same thing. And I see you are using a switch, but you need a
command plus a switch.

 

[W. eWatson]

In W. eWatson typed on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:06:22 -0700:

Command Prompt under Accessories Properties
%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe

Yup, the same thing. And I see you are using a switch, but you need a
command plus a switch.

Yep, CMD /F:ON
I think I was using Shift-F -D. It works now.
Someone told me F3 is supposed to do a completion, but I don't think so.

Is there a way to kill the window when it hangs? I have some problem with a
Python program that causes it to hang, which means I have to use
Ctrl-Alt_Del and then start again.

I'd like to start at a specific folder when I open, but don't seen any
command line args that allow me to do that. Did I miss one?
CMD [/A | /U] [/Q] [/D] [/E:ON | /E:OFF] [/F:ON | /F:OFF] [/V:ON | /V:OFF]
[[/S] [/C | /K] string]

/C Carries out the command specified by string and then terminates
/K Carries out the command specified by string but remains
/S Modifies the treatment of string after /C or /K (see below)
/Q Turns echo off
/D Disable execution of AutoRun commands from registry (see below)
/A Causes the output of internal commands to a pipe or file to be ANSI
/U Causes the output of internal commands to a pipe or file to be
Unicode
/T:fg Sets the foreground/background colors (see COLOR /? for more info)
/E:ON Enable command extensions (see below)
/E:OFF Disable command extensions (see below)
/F:ON Enable file and directory name completion characters (see below)
/F:OFF Disable file and directory name completion characters (see below)
/V:ON Enable delayed environment variable expansion using ! as the
delimiter. For example, /V:ON would allow !var! to expand the
variable var at execution time. The var syntax expands variables
at input time, which is quite a different thing when inside of a FOR
loop.
/V:OFF Disable delayed environment expansion.





--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

It seems to me that cmd, as entered in Start->Run is the same as Command
Prompt under Accessories. I suppose the difference is the former allows
for arguments, correct?

Anyway, I'd like to use file/folder completion. It seems like I should be
able to do this w/o modifying the registry by just entering in Run:
/F:ON
However, that doesn't do it. I tried using Ctrl-F and -D. What's up?

Under WinXP the default name completion key is the Tab key. It only works if
you do NOT specify the /Fn switch.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

In W. eWatson typed on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:06:22 -0700:

Command Prompt under Accessories Properties
%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe

Yup, the same thing. And I see you are using a switch, but you need a
command plus a switch.

Yep, CMD /F:ON
I think I was using Shift-F -D. It works now.
Someone told me F3 is supposed to do a completion, but I don't think so.

Is there a way to kill the window when it hangs? I have some problem with
a Python program that causes it to hang, which means I have to use
Ctrl-Alt_Del and then start again.

I'd like to start at a specific folder when I open, but don't seen any
command line args that allow me to do that. Did I miss one?
CMD [/A | /U] [/Q] [/D] [/E:ON | /E:OFF] [/F:ON | /F:OFF] [/V:ON | /V:OFF]
[[/S] [/C | /K] string]

Create a shortcut to cmd.exe and specify the Startup folder. You can kill a
Command Prompt the same way as any other Windows process: Click the cross in
the top right-hand corner, or use the Task Manager.

 

[W. eWatson]

Under WinXP the default name completion key is the Tab key. It only works if
you do NOT specify the /Fn switch.

If I open a cmd window from Accessories, Tab just tabs.

--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

If I open a cmd window from Accessories, Tab just tabs.

--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

This can happen for several reasons:
- When you specify the /Fn switch.
- If you have modified this registry key:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\CompletionChar
(it should be DWord - 9)
- If you use Windows 2000.

 

[W. eWatson]

en, but don't seen any

command line args that allow me to do that. Did I miss one?
CMD [/A | /U] [/Q] [/D] [/E:ON | /E:OFF] [/F:ON | /F:OFF] [/V:ON | /V:OFF]
[[/S] [/C | /K] string]

Create a shortcut to cmd.exe and specify the Startup folder. You can kill a
Command Prompt the same way as any other Windows process: Click the cross in
the top right-hand corner, or use the Task Manager.

Ah, yes, a shortcut.

Here's the situation. If I have the Python interpreter window showing my
program, and it has a serious error when I try to execute it, then the
corresponding shell window where output goes freezes. The only way to bring
it down is using x or Ctrl-Alt-Del. Either use knocks down all Python
related windows.

Suppose instead I execute the same program from the cmd window, the same
thing happens. I have only two choices, as above, with the same results.
What I had hoped was maybe a Ctrl-C would just "kill" (shorcircuit?) the cmd
window to give me the prompt. Apparently that can't be done, so I have to
bring up the cmd window again, which means I have to wend my way back to the
folder I was in. That's why I asked if there's a command argument to start
me in a specific folder. Maybe I need to write a BAT file? If I can still
remember how! It's been a long time.

--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

en, but don't seen any

command line args that allow me to do that. Did I miss one?
CMD [/A | /U] [/Q] [/D] [/E:ON | /E:OFF] [/F:ON | /F:OFF] [/V:ON |
/V:OFF]
[[/S] [/C | /K] string]

Create a shortcut to cmd.exe and specify the Startup folder. You can kill
a Command Prompt the same way as any other Windows process: Click the
cross in the top right-hand corner, or use the Task Manager.

Ah, yes, a shortcut.

Here's the situation. If I have the Python interpreter window showing my
program, and it has a serious error when I try to execute it, then the
corresponding shell window where output goes freezes. The only way to
bring it down is using x or Ctrl-Alt-Del. Either use knocks down all
Python related windows.

Suppose instead I execute the same program from the cmd window, the same
thing happens. I have only two choices, as above, with the same results.
What I had hoped was maybe a Ctrl-C would just "kill" (shorcircuit?) the
cmd window to give me the prompt. Apparently that can't be done, so I have
to bring up the cmd window again, which means I have to wend my way back
to the folder I was in. That's why I asked if there's a command argument
to start me in a specific folder. Maybe I need to write a BAT file? If I
can still remember how! It's been a long time.

The ability to respond to Ctrl+C is provided by the Python interpreter, not
by the Command Processor.

I don't quite see why a shortcut won't meet your requirements - it would
certainly save you the navigation effort through the various folders. You
could even use it to start your Python interpreter . . .

A batch file has the same ability. There is no magic in basic batch files -
it's just a collection of console commands, as you would type them:
@echo off
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"
python.exe

You can set a default start folder for the Command Processor here:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun
"AutoRun" is a string or expanded string value. Its data could be this:
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"

 

[Alister]

I don't quite see why a shortcut won't meet your requirements - it would
certainly save you the navigation effort through the various folders. You
could even use it to start your Python interpreter . . .

A batch file has the same ability. There is no magic in basic batch files -
it's just a collection of console commands, as you would type them:
@echo off
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"
python.exe

You can set a default start folder for the Command Processor here:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun
"AutoRun" is a string or expanded string value. Its data could be this:
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"

I thought I remembered from those far off days that there was a
"PowerToy" for 98 ME which gave you a context menu on folders to open a
command prompt in that folder.

I googled and the same thing is available for XP here:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/CmdHerePowertoySetup.exe

You could keep a My Computer window open and use this to start your
command prompt on any folder you want.

Alister

 

[W. eWatson]

en, but don't seen any

command line args that allow me to do that. Did I miss one?
CMD [/A | /U] [/Q] [/D] [/E:ON | /E:OFF] [/F:ON | /F:OFF] [/V:ON |
/V:OFF]
[[/S] [/C | /K] string]
Create a shortcut to cmd.exe and specify the Startup folder. You can kill
a Command Prompt the same way as any other Windows process: Click the
cross in the top right-hand corner, or use the Task Manager.

Ah, yes, a shortcut.

Here's the situation. If I have the Python interpreter window showing my
program, and it has a serious error when I try to execute it, then the
corresponding shell window where output goes freezes. The only way to
bring it down is using x or Ctrl-Alt-Del. Either use knocks down all
Python related windows.

Suppose instead I execute the same program from the cmd window, the same
thing happens. I have only two choices, as above, with the same results.
What I had hoped was maybe a Ctrl-C would just "kill" (shorcircuit?) the
cmd window to give me the prompt. Apparently that can't be done, so I have
to bring up the cmd window again, which means I have to wend my way back
to the folder I was in. That's why I asked if there's a command argument
to start me in a specific folder. Maybe I need to write a BAT file? If I
can still remember how! It's been a long time.

The ability to respond to Ctrl+C is provided by the Python interpreter, not
by the Command Processor.

I don't quite see why a shortcut won't meet your requirements - it would
certainly save you the navigation effort through the various folders. You
could even use it to start your Python interpreter . . .

A batch file has the same ability. There is no magic in basic batch files -
it's just a collection of console commands, as you would type them:
@echo off
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"
python.exe

You can set a default start folder for the Command Processor here:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun
"AutoRun" is a string or expanded string value. Its data could be this:
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"

Even the interpreter doesn't always go for a Ctrl-C. Well, sometimes things
just don't work in ways one would expect, or hope.
What's HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun?
HKCU?

--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[W. eWatson]

I thought I remembered from those far off days that there was a
"PowerToy" for 98 ME which gave you a context menu on folders to open a
command prompt in that folder.

I googled and the same thing is available for XP here:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/CmdHerePowertoySetup.exe


You could keep a My Computer window open and use this to start your
command prompt on any folder you want.

Alister

It seems like I used Power Toys several years ago, but don't see it on my
menu. Don't see it under Accessories.

--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[BillW50]

In W. eWatson typed on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:59:08 -0700:

It seems like I used Power Toys several years ago, but don't see it
on my menu. Don't see it under Accessories.

It should be under:

Start -> Programs -> Powertoys for Windows XP

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

en, but don't seen any
command line args that allow me to do that. Did I miss one?
CMD [/A | /U] [/Q] [/D] [/E:ON | /E:OFF] [/F:ON | /F:OFF] [/V:ON |
/V:OFF]
[[/S] [/C | /K] string]
Create a shortcut to cmd.exe and specify the Startup folder. You can
kill a Command Prompt the same way as any other Windows process: Click
the cross in the top right-hand corner, or use the Task Manager.
Ah, yes, a shortcut.

Here's the situation. If I have the Python interpreter window showing my
program, and it has a serious error when I try to execute it, then the
corresponding shell window where output goes freezes. The only way to
bring it down is using x or Ctrl-Alt-Del. Either use knocks down all
Python related windows.

Suppose instead I execute the same program from the cmd window, the same
thing happens. I have only two choices, as above, with the same results.
What I had hoped was maybe a Ctrl-C would just "kill" (shorcircuit?) the
cmd window to give me the prompt. Apparently that can't be done, so I
have to bring up the cmd window again, which means I have to wend my way
back to the folder I was in. That's why I asked if there's a command
argument to start me in a specific folder. Maybe I need to write a BAT
file? If I can still remember how! It's been a long time.

The ability to respond to Ctrl+C is provided by the Python interpreter,
not by the Command Processor.

I don't quite see why a shortcut won't meet your requirements - it would
certainly save you the navigation effort through the various folders. You
could even use it to start your Python interpreter . . .

A batch file has the same ability. There is no magic in basic batch
files - it's just a collection of console commands, as you would type
them:
@echo off
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"
python.exe

You can set a default start folder for the Command Processor here:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun
"AutoRun" is a string or expanded string value. Its data could be this:
cd /d "c:\Program Files\Python"

Even the interpreter doesn't always go for a Ctrl-C. Well, sometimes
things just don't work in ways one would expect, or hope.
What's HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun?
HKCU?

HKCU = HKey_Current_User
HKLM = HKey_Local_Machine

 

[Alister]

It seems like I used Power Toys several years ago, but don't see it on
my menu. Don't see it under Accessories.

Just install the link I gave you (which ONLY installs the "Command
Prompt Here" bit) and you should see the option appear in your right
click menu.

Alister.

 

[W. eWatson]

In W. eWatson typed on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:59:08 -0700:

It should be under:

Start -> Programs -> Powertoys for Windows XP

Yes, it's there but I only used the fancy graph and cacluator tool. I
probably have a full download in my dl folder.

--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>