system path environment

to see the paths in the Path environment variable

PS> $env:path

C:\LINDOWS\system32;C:\LINDOWS;C:\LINDOWS\System32\Wbem;"C:\LINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framew...

create & use Function

to create a function

PS> function bootini {notepad c:\boot.ini}

to run existing function

PS> bootini <---- if above is done

alias for Notepad

to create the alias "np" for Notepad

PS> set-alias np c:\lindows\notepad.exe

to remove the "np" alias

PS> remove-item alias:np

get-wmiObject

to get info about the BIOS on the local computer

PS> get-wmiobject win32_bios -computername nparks


SMBIOSBIOSVersion : V3.50
Manufacturer : Acer
Name : Ver 1.00PARTTBLP
SerialNumber : LXAU60J0077020D4581601
Version : ACRSYS - 6040000

get-command

to search for log file (.log) in a directory

PS> get-command -name *.log

$ variable operator

to perform an addition of two values

PS> $str1 = 4 + 5
PS> write-host "the result is" $str1

get-service

to list out all NT services status into a file
get-service | fl | out-file "r:\o1.txt"

get-service

[] to identify the status of NT service, e.g. xmlprov
PS> get-service xmlprov | fl


Name : xmlprov
DisplayName : Network Provisioning Service
Status : Stopped
DependentServices : {}
ServicesDependedOn : {RpcSs}
CanPauseAndContinue : False
CanShutdown : False
CanStop : False
ServiceType : Win32ShareProcess

get-item

to find out the Mode, LastWriteTime, Length of current prompt
PS> get-item .


Directory: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\FileSystem::C:\Lindows\co


Mode LastWriteTime Length Name
---- ------------- ------ ----
d---- 2008-Dec-04 6:51 PM Administrator

stuff about PowerShell

Here is my research states:

- Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

- Microsoft Windows® PowerShell is a new command-line shell and scripting language designed for system administration and automation. Built on the .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell enables IT professionals and developers control and automate the administration of Windows and applications.

- needs CLR 2.0

- processes objects (not text) based on the .NET platform.

- perform object-based (command-line) functions.

- relies heavily on the .NET framework

- all the built-in types are really .NET types

- works on xpsp2, svr2003sp1, vista sp1

- looks similar to that of MS-DOS command-line shell

- some knowledge of C# FCL, vbscript, sql, automation, DS, AD, batch

- a background in scripting and WMI are helpful

- is a Microsoft .NET-connected environment designed for administrative automation.

- provides a new approach to building commands, composing solutions, and creating management GUI tools.

- enables a system administrator to automate the administration of system resources by the execution of commands either directly or through scripts.

- run a command name can refer to
-- a Cmdlet (aka. Command-let)
-- single-function commands
-- have a verb-noun naming convention, such as Get-Help or Set-MachineName
-- an .ps1 script file
-- an executable file with the extension .bat, .cmd, .com, or .exe
-- WSH files with a .vbs, .js, .wsh, or .wsf extension rely on the WSH engine
-- UNIX Bash Shell internal command, e.g. man, clear, cat, mount, popd, sleep, h, ps, history, pushd, tee, kill, pwd, lp, r, write, diff, ls

- properties ( bits of data )

- methods ( actions )

automates the Upgrade to Win95

This script automates the upgrade to Windows 95, using settings from the existing Windows installation except for User Information. Setup will prompt for a User Name and Organization. You can modify this script to predefine the user name. This script also automatically installs the Accessibility features, and contains entries that can be modified to create a hands-free installation using predefined settings.

[SETUP]
; 0 = stop for user input, 1 = do not stop for user input
Express=1

; 0 = do not create startup disk, 1 = create startup disk
EBD=0

; 0 = do not allow user to choose Uninstall and do not back up existing Windows
; 1 = show Uninstall options for user to choose
; 5 = automatically create backup files for uninstalling Windows 95
uninstall=0

; 0 = prompt for confirmation before overwriting more recent files
; 1 = overwrite without confirmation
vrc=1

; Remove ";" and set this value to your 10-digit Windows 95 product ID,
; which is printed on the Windows 95 CD or your Certification of Authenticity.
ProductID=26099-oem-0070957-53008

; 0 = compact, 1 = typical, 2 = portable, 3 = custom setup type
InstallType=1

; Remove ";" from the value for your timezone
;TimeZone="Afghanistan"
;TimeZone="Alaskan"
;TimeZone="Arabian"
;TimeZone="Atlantic"
;TimeZone="AUS Central"
;TimeZone="Azores"
;TimeZone="Bangkok"
;TimeZone="Canada Central"
;TimeZone="Cen. Australia"
;TimeZone="Central"
;TimeZone="Central Asia"
;TimeZone="Central Pacific"
;TimeZone="China"
;TimeZone="Czech"
;TimeZone="Dateline"
;TimeZone="E. Europe"
;TimeZone="E. South America"
;TimeZone="Eastern"
;TimeZone="Egypt"
;TimeZone="Fiji"
;TimeZone="GFT"
;TimeZone="GMT"
;TimeZone="Greenwich"
;TimeZone="Hawaiian"
;TimeZone="India"
;TimeZone="Iran"
;TimeZone="Israel"
;TimeZone="Lisbon Warsaw"
;TimeZone="Mexico"
;TimeZone="Mid-Atlantic"
;TimeZone="Mountain"
;TimeZone="New Zealand"
;TimeZone="Newfoundland"
;TimeZone="Pacific"
;TimeZone="Romance"
;TimeZone="Russian"
;TimeZone="SA Eastern"
;TimeZone="SA Pacific"
;TimeZone="SA Western"
;TimeZone="Samoa"
;TimeZone="Saudi Arabia"
;TimeZone="South Africa"
;TimeZone="Sydney"
TimeZone="Taipei"
;TimeZone="Tasmania"
;TimeZone="Tokyo"
;TimeZone="US Eastern"
;TimeZone="US Mountain"
;TimeZone="W. Europe"
;TimeZone="West Asia"
;TimeZone="West Pacific"

; If you modify this script to define the user information,
; set Display=0 in the following section to skip the prompt.
; Type correct values for Name= and Org=, or accept defaults.
[NAMEANDORG]
; 0 = do not prompt for user name information (use defaults)
; 1 = prompt for user and company identification
Display=0

; Set a blank default user name.
; to avoid using the user name from previous Windows installation.
; Or type a name between the quotes to predefine this information.
Name="Kent Clark"

; Set a blank default company.
; Or type text between the quotes to predefine the company name.
Org="Fishery Inc."

[NETWORK]
; 0 = do not prompt for network components during Custom setup type,
; so Setup will only use detection to install networking.
; 1 = prompt for network components
Display=0

; The following section defines which components to install.
; 0 = do not install component, 1 = install component
; This script installs Accessibility features automatically.
; The other options specified here are the defaults for Custom setup type.
[OptionalComponents]
"Accessibility Options"=0
"Accessories"=1
"Communications"=1
"Disk Tools"=1
"Multimedia"=1
"Screen Savers"=0
"Disk compression tools"=0
"Paint"=1
"HyperTerminal"=0
"Defrag"=1
"Calculator"=1
"Backup"=0
"Phone Dialer"=0
"Flying Windows"=0
"Microsoft Fax"=0
"Microsoft Fax Services"=0
"Microsoft Fax Viewer"=0
"The Microsoft Network"=0
"Audio Compression"=1
"Video Compression"=1
"Sound Recorder"=0
"Volume Control"=1
"Media Player"=1
"Microsoft Exchange"=0
"Microsoft Mail Services"=0
"Briefcase"=0
"Document Templates"=1
"WordPad"=1
"Dial-Up Networking"=0
"Direct Cable Connection"=0
"Mouse Pointers"=0
"Windows 95 Tour"=0
"Online User's Guide"=0
"Desktop Wallpaper"=0
"System Monitor"=0
"Net Watcher"=0
"Character Map"=0
"Additional Screen Savers"=0
"Games"=0
"Quick View"=1
"System Resource Meter"=0
"CompuServe Mail Services"=0
"Sample Sounds"=1
"Musica Sound Scheme"=0
"Jungle Sound Scheme"=0
"Robotz Sound Scheme"=0
"Utopia Sound Scheme"=0
"CD Player"=1

I write an unattended script called msbatch.inf and place it together with the Win95 cabinet files onto a CD.

install Device drivers automatically

Managing those device drivers can be collected into a CD, however, administering them tends to harder to handle. So, I write a DOS batch file called autoinst.bat:


echo off
echo chipset driver...
start "installing..." /wait "E:\_apbk\Drivers-xp\chipset\setup.exe" -s

echo graphics driver..
start "installing..." /wait "E:\_apbk\Drivers-xp\video\setup.exe" -s

echo audio driver...will reboot pc
start "installing..." /wait "E:\_apbk\Drivers-xp\Audio\setup.exe" -b -s

that install motherboard chipset driver, followed by video and then audio. Lastly, it will restart Windows.

make Gaming smoother

Nowsdays games eat lots of system resources, most NT services can be disabled. So, I write a DOS batch called services_xp.bat:

echo off

echo.
echo Ready to turn off NT services before playing games....
pause

echo .NET Runtime Optimization Service v2.0.50727_X86
pause
net stop clr_optimization_v2.0.50727_32

echo .
echo DHCP Client
pause
net stop dhcp

echo.
echo Distributed Link Tracking Client
pause
net stop TrkWks

echo.
echo DNS Client
pause
net stop Dnscache

echo.
echo Fast User Switching Compatibility
pause
net stop FastUserSwitchingCompatibility

echo.
echo Help and Support
pause
net stop helpsvc

echo.
echo IPSEC Services
pause
net stop PolicyAgent

echo.
echo LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service
pause
net stop LightScribeService

echo.
echo Print Spooler
pause
net stop Spooler

echo.
echo Remote Registry takes very long time to disable itself. mission abort.
pause
rem net stop RemoteRegistry

echo.
echo Server
pause
net stop lanmanserver

echo.
echo SSDP Discovery Service takes very long time to disable itself. mission abort.
pause
rem net stop SSDPSRV

echo.
echo TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper takes very long time to disable itself. mission abort.
pause
rem net stop LmHosts

echo.
echo Themes
pause
net stop Themes

echo.
echo Workstation
pause
net stop lanmanworkstation

echo.
echo All done well.
echo ready to exit
pause
exit

that will automatically perform the disabling task. This really put me smile all day long!

keep IE safe and sound

One wonders those free programs that allows one to clear traces especially after using MSIE, either shareware, trial or donationware etc. Well, I write a DOS batch file called rundll32_vista.cmd:

echo off

echo delete IE addons tracking records
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 4351

echo delete IE miscellaneous files
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 255

echo delete IE password stored
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 32

echo delete IE autofill form data
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 16

echo delete IE temporary files
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8

echo delete IE cookies
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 2

echo delete IE history list
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 1

pause
exit

which do the most daunting job ever for me free of downloading them. See the magic works!

remove Unused devices

After sometime ago I wonder what devices have been installed via its Automatic Updates in XP or Vista. Normally these hidden device names are not visible in Device Manager and I have to sieve through Windows registry database to locate and verify one by one. Then an idea of DOS scripting came to my mind, so I started to write a batch file:


echo off

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
devmgmt.msc
exit

that allows me to view all devices that are commonly displayed by Windows and check its device properties to make wise judgment. Wow, superb!

repair Vista Boot

The other day after installing Windows XP into my system over Vista, the Vista boot manager menu is no longer appearing. So, I write a DOS batch file called nt60repair.bat:-

@echo off

color a

echo Run DAEMON first...
pause

echo.
echo Load vu5384.iso ....
pause

d:
cd boot
bootsect /nt60 c:

echo.
echo Vista Boot Manager repaired...
pause

Because vu5384.iso, a Vista beta, is to be used for repairing, a virtual CDROM utility program has to be first installed and loaded it. This way I don't have to reinstall Vista.