Options for task/script to prompt for backup?

klepp0906 · Mar 28, 2022

Rudimentary is being generous when it comes to describing my ability to mush together a functional .bat file or scheduled task. In short i'm looking for an answer as to whether this is possible, and if so how.

I have a robocopy script I run when i "feel" like it which actually backs up some quite important data. It all goes to an external hard drive which is essentially a desktop drive in a dock which I have to turn on.

Ive reached a point where having it backed up become important enough that I need to do it more regularly and as such I need to automate it. The major kink is the necessitating that i manually turn on the external drive.

I'd like to schedule a task to run the backup script on whatever schedule I decide on, but first notifying me somehow, or prompting me to turn on the external drive. I don't imagine using windows notifications is possible without some higher level programming knowledge so ultimately having a cmd window pop up that does not close and will not proceed without me having turned on the drive (and i imagine i'd have to manually advance the script at that point too).

Whats my best solution here?

Archigos · Mar 28, 2022

It won't help with all of what you're asking, but since you already have a script with robocopy commands in it... you can add something to the top of that script that is a warning to turn on the drive and then have it 'pause' or 'timeout' for a specific amount of time to give you...

Examples:
You have to manually press a key to continue:

Batch:

ECHO.
ECHO WARNING
ECHO Turn on external drive
ECHO Press a key when drive is ready
pause

robocopy {yadda yadda}

Or have a 30 second timeout (just change the number to make it as long/short as needed)

Batch:

ECHO.
ECHO WARNING
ECHO Turn on external drive
ECHO 30 seconds remaining
ping 127.0.0.1 -n 30 > nul

robocopy {yadda yadda}

klepp0906 · Mar 28, 2022

perfect, i'll go with the pause. definitely dont want it timing out cause if im not at the pc, i'll just miss the darned backup like the old ass i am.

now i know task scheduler has a penchant for being able to run scripts without displaying a popup whatsoever. what determines that behavior as in this case I want to avoid it as i'll need that window.

thanks for the help :)

Archigos · Mar 28, 2022

I don't really use Task Scheduler, but I 'think' there are ways of doing batch scripts with and without it showing the window, so I think when someone is able to advise you on this part it's a matter of a simple switch on the command to display the window.

Sorry I couldn't help more

klepp0906 · Mar 28, 2022

Archigos said:
I don't really use Task Scheduler, but I 'think' there are ways of doing batch scripts with and without it showing the window, so I think when someone is able to advise you on this part it's a matter of a simple switch on the command to display the window.

Sorry I couldn't help more

no problem at all. i'm sure its easily dig-up-able via google anyhow. I appreciate the time and help!

IanMosley · Mar 28, 2022

You could try Live File Backup

Try3 · Mar 29, 2022

klepp0906 said:
task scheduler has a penchant for being able to run scripts without displaying a popup

As you say, you need the message you've written to yourself [that ends with Pause].

For other cases, see Make Task scheduler run a batch file minimised and with a specific icon - TenForums
But I wouldn't say, "penchant". There's no simple switch. In the linked procedure, TS is essentially tricked into avoiding a cmd window appearing onscreen.

All the best,
Denis