Automate a simple Floppy Format

[zackiv31]

Here's what I got, but I dont know how to sendkeys only when input is waiting for something:

Process proc = new Process();
                    proc.StartInfo.FileName = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System).ToString() + @"\format";
                    proc.StartInfo.Arguments = comboBoxF3.SelectedItem.ToString() + "/V:";

                    proc.Start();
                    SendKeys.SendWait("{ENTER}");
//HERE is where I need assistance..
                    SendKeys.SendWait("{n}");
                    SendKeys.SendWait("{ENTER}");

In the above I need to wait where it says "HERE" until the format has finished... it asks if I want to format another (y/n) and so I then want to send the "n" and "ENTER"
T

 

[NeilTrain]

it sounds like a dos Batch file would be easier.

 

[JurkMonkey]

You need to redirect the input buffer and pass in your "\r\n" to that buffer.

Look at p.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = true;

You may have to turn UseShellExecute to false;

http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[zackiv31]

I've tried something like this (trying to work off of JurkMonkeys suggestion... I don't know batch files well at all, and I don't want to require one with my application.

Heres what I got:

Process p = new Process();
                    p.StartInfo.FileName = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System).ToString() + @"\format";
                    p.StartInfo.Arguments = cb.SelectedItem.ToString() + " /V:";
                    p.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = true;
                    p.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
                    p.Start();
                    p.StandardInput = new System.IO.StreamWriter(new Stream("\r\nn\r\n"));

Obviously the last part is wrong as it doesn't pass compile, but how should I pass in those arguments to my program?

 

[JurkMonkey]

p.StandardInput = new System.IO.StreamWriter(new Stream("\r\nn\r\n"));

What you want to do is something like p.StandardInput.WriteLine(");

or

p.StandardInput.Write("\r\n");

http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[zackiv31]

In the right direction, but still not working, new code:

                    Process p = new Process();
                    p.StartInfo.FileName = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System).ToString() + @"\format";
                    p.StartInfo.Arguments = cb.SelectedItem.ToString() + " /V:";
                    MessageBox.Show("1");
                    p.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = true;
                    MessageBox.Show("2");
                    //p.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
                    MessageBox.Show("3");
                    p.StandardInput.Write("\r\nn\r\n");
                    MessageBox.Show("4");
                    p.Start();

It never shows '4', but I've redirected standard input... ?

 

[JurkMonkey]

You need to start the process and then write to the inputstream.

And change \r\nn to \r\n

http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[zackiv31]

I tried that before, that's why I moved it.. it gives me a System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: The system cannot find the file specified.

                    Process p = new Process();
                    p.StartInfo.FileName = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System).ToString() + @"\format";
                    p.StartInfo.Arguments = cb.SelectedItem.ToString() + " /V:";
                    MessageBox.Show("1");
                    p.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = true;
                    MessageBox.Show("2");
                    p.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
                    MessageBox.Show("3");
                    //p.StandardInput.Write("\r\nn\r\n");
                    MessageBox.Show("4");
                    p.Start();
                    MessageBox.Show(p.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput.ToString());
                    p.StandardInput.Write("\r\nn\r\n");

And I put "\r\nn\r\n" because I need to enter the "n" key for no, and hit enter again..

 

[zackiv31]

OK well here's what I've determined.

If I just have the Filename and Arguments set, and I start it, it launches fine (opens up command prompt with right command).

If I have those plus the redirect and the useshell, and I try to start the process, it crashes with the above Win32Exception..


WTF?

 

[zackiv31]

Anyone have any ideas on this? I still can't get it to operate correctly.

 

[SteveBrett]

FORMAT a: /AUTOTEST should perform an unattended format without user intervention. so creating a process and using noshellexecute and redirecting the output to a stream reader should be what you want I think.

AUTOTEST info came from here:

http://programmerworld.net/win/wintips.htm

 

[zackiv31]

format and fdisk are not the same... format doesn't register the /autotest option

 

[SteveBrett]

indeed they are different - the format options were listed further down the page - a quick search of goole found loads of similar info but as you rightly pointed out windows doesn't recognise the parameter ...

 

[zackiv31]

anyone have any ideas on this? I'm just trying to autoformat a floppy from C# any way I can...

 

[whosrdaddy]

you can always use the ShFormatDrive API. look here:

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/dialog/cformatdrivedialog.aspx

-----------------------------------------------------
What You See Is What You Get
Never underestimate tha powah of tha google!

 

[zackiv31]

I finally returned to this problem and was able to initiate the SHFormatDrive through shell32.dll... My new Question is this:

I launch the SHFormatDrive dialog and it appears... but when I get a list of processes, and window handles, it is not listed... is this the behavior of C#? The main form shows up, but the backgroundWorker does not.

I launch it using a backGroundWorker... is that why the dialog box doesn't get a handle? Is there another way to do it?

 

[whosrdaddy]

UI things must always be launched from the main (UI) thread. that's how windows works...

-----------------------------------------------------
What You See Is What You Get
Never underestimate tha powah of tha google!

 

[zackiv31]

so you're saying... ?

 

[JurkMonkey]

What was wrong with doing the format via a Process?

http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[zackiv31]

Process didn't work... it would write all lines to standard input, but the \r\n wouldn't get recognized.

Ideally the command line is the best option, but I can't get it to autorun/autoclose..

I have no experience with Windows Batch files, maybe running one of them would work? But I don't see how it's any different then the way I did it in process.