how do I launch an external program?

[MandoThrasher]

I'm trying to launch a PowerPoint slideshow from a menu I'm building in Flash. I'm doing an fscommand("exec" "start slideshow.pps&quot and get nothing. I was successful calling a batch file from within flash that launches the powerpoint file, but it sometimes leaves the DOS window open and sitting on top of my flash movie when I return.

What is the correct way to open this from within Flash?

help!

 

[oldnewbie]

Flash 5 or MX? Regards,

 

[MandoThrasher]

5

 

[oldnewbie]

This must be for a projector file, right?
Have a look at this...

http://www.aritali.com/flash/fsprojector.htm

Might be helpful... Although if you running the Flash 6 player, new restrictions now apply! Regards,

 

[MandoThrasher]

Thanks.

I tried his example. Didn't work.

Still trying to figure out how to open a file in it's associated program.

 

[Guest_imported]

on (release) {
fscommand ("exec", "myfile.exe"
}

otherwise you might get the OS warnings of do you really want to install....

 

[rgstewart]

Look at this Macromedia technote, paying particular attention to the "exec" command:

http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/fscommand_projectors.htm

 

[MandoThrasher]

I found it!

http://www.actionscripts.org/tutorials/beginner/exec_docs/index.shtml

great resource!

Thanks to everyone for offering their help.