Windows Task Scheduler with a batch file

Hi folks,

I have created a simple batch file for 3 songs to be played with wmp. See below:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" -open "D:\Stuff\Music\Playlists\Music.wpl" -start
exit

When I click on the bat file icon it runs as intended: wmp opens up and moves through the play list... if I wish to stop the application I can simply close wmp and hey presto... no more music.

I then experimented using the task scheduler with this bat file with the idea of using my computer for an alarm clock. I have been playing around with it with the intention of being able to put my comp into hibernation mode and then have it wake and execute my play list at a given time.

The first problem I encountered was that my comp was waking from hibernation but couldn't automatically launch the bat file as the default vista security feature requests the user to re-enter his password at the log on screen. I got round this issue by switching this security feature off but if possible I would like to know if there is any script I could add to my bat file which could automatically re-enter my password upon wake up so I can keep this default security feature switched on????

My second question concerns the means by which the task schedule seems to be operating when it wakes up from hibernation... unlike from when I manually click the bat file icon, no wmp appears to be getting launched yet sure enough my comp is playing the music play list in my bat file. What is really confusing me is that I don't understand where the music is coming from. WMP is closed, and when I look in the task manager there are no applications running. Consequently this also means I have no means to skip, pause/ stop etc this seemingly now ghostly playlist... i.e. for the music to stop it has to play all songs in the play list or I have to restart/log off.

Is this nuts or does this make plane sense to anyone?

Any help/insight/input regarding these two questions much appreciated.

Hello jonin, welcome to Vista forums!

Have a look at this Task Scheduler tutorial; to see if it provides a solution for you!

Keep us informed!













Later Ted

oh in response to my second question, I forgot to mention that I thought the solution was to go back into the task scheduler and end this running task. Despite it being terminated however, the music keeps on playing. I also tried the disable command and even deleting the task but still to no avail.

Thanks Ted, much appreciated. I will have a look at the tutorial and will keep all informed if I have any luck. In the mean time though I would still be keen to hear from anybody who can offer me some practical advice or who have encountered this problem themselves first hand. Sending me links is handy but I have all ready scoured google for solutions to the point I'm about to give up. So if this tutorial does not hold the secret answer to these problems... please experts step up and share the know how

Hi jonin,

the task scheduler is running the batch file not the Windows media player so when the scheduled task finishes the WMP task continues, you may want to enter the command line you have in the batch file directly into the scheduler. and see if that gives you more control.