[SOLVED] Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command.

billybong001 · 09-29-2009, 04:39 AM

Hi all,

I would like to simultaneously launch multiple instances of a single CMD command. How do I write a batch file to do so?

Regards,
Nicholas.

**jcgriff2** · 09-29-2009, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybong001

Hi all,

I would like to simultaneously launch multiple instances of a single CMD command. How do I write a batch file to do so?

Regards,
Nicholas.

Hi Nicholas -

For info, you can type cmd /? for details on the switches available with cmd.

To answer your question, try cmd /k - that will execute the command and then keep running.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

billybong001 · 09-29-2009, 04:53 AM

I don't think you get the idea. For example, I can launch an instance of command prompt and type

ping www.website.com -t

It will continue the process until I press control C.

However I want now to launch for example, three separate instances of command prompt. How do I do this using a batch file rather than manually starting command prompt and entering the command?

Regards,
Nicholas.

**jcgriff2** · 09-29-2009, 05:05 AM

Enter the commands into a notepad then save it as a BAT file.

billybong001 · 09-29-2009, 05:10 AM

That is not what I wanted. It simply launches the same command over and over again in one instance of command prompt. I need the same command running in multiple instances.

Regards,
Nicholas.

**jcgriff2** · 09-29-2009, 05:41 AM

try this - copy to bat file an execute it

Code:

start cmd /k ping www.website.com -t & start ping www.website.com -t & start ping www.website.com -t

I should warn you to beware of the 3 windows that will fly out at you.

jcgriff2

.

billybong001 · 09-29-2009, 06:35 AM

Hmm, running that batch file caused an infinite loop of command prompt windows. Which eventually forced me to reset the computer. Currently, the lines:

start cmd -ping www.website.com
start cmd -ping www.website.com
start cmd -ping www.website.com
pause

Successfully call out 3 windows, but they do not automatically run the ping command.

Regards,
Nicholas.

Edit: the command prompt points to the Desktop instead of it's default (users\username). As a result I am unable to use any system commands.

**jcgriff2** · 09-29-2009, 08:18 AM

Hi -

I used the command that you provided... I didn't think anything of it. Where did you get it from? I have changed the command to timeout at 5 seconds - after launching the 3 separate windows.

Place these into a Notepad, name w/ BAT file ext and execute it -

Code:

 
start cmd /k PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 5000 >NUL 
start cmd /k PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 5000 >NUL 
start cmd /k PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 5000 >NUL

`

A screenshot of my system is attached. 4 cmd/DOS screens total.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

billybong001 · 09-30-2009, 05:52 AM

Thank you jcgriff2, that was absolutely perfect.

I typed out what I would typically enter into command prompt after Users\nicky9499>
It seems I was missing out the /k tags to make it execute.

Speaking of which, what does the /k and >NUL do?

Regards,
Nicholas.

**jcgriff2** · 09-30-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybong001

Thank you jcgriff2, that was absolutely perfect.

I typed out what I would typically enter into command prompt after Users\nicky9499>
It seems I was missing out the /k tags to make it execute.

Speaking of which, what does the /k and >NUL do?

Regards,
Nicholas.

Hi Nicholas. . .

I am glad that the "final version" is what you were looking for!

The parm /k tells the cmd/DOS windows from which the command was executed to stay open

>NUL directs the output to go nowhere sort of like ECHO OFF

You can get a full listing of these parms. Copy/paste the following -

Code:

 cmd /? > %temp%\1 & start notepad %temp%\1

A notepad will open with the results.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

09-29-2009, 04:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
billybong001 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 19 OS: Vista Ultimate (SP1) My System	[SOLVED] Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command. Hi all, I would like to simultaneously launch multiple instances of a single CMD command. How do I write a batch file to do so? Regards, Nicholas.

09-29-2009, 04:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
billybong001 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 19 OS: Vista Ultimate (SP1) My System	Re: Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command. I don't think you get the idea. For example, I can launch an instance of command prompt and type ping www.website.com -t It will continue the process until I press control C. However I want now to launch for example, three separate instances of command prompt. How do I do this using a batch file rather than manually starting command prompt and entering the command? Regards, Nicholas.

09-29-2009, 05:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Great State of New Jersey - away from the gross corruption of the Riverside County, CA, SO office. SHAMEFUL ! Posts: 10,125 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command. Enter the commands into a notepad then save it as a BAT file. __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread Glad to be home in the Great State of New Jersey ! !

09-29-2009, 05:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
billybong001 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 19 OS: Vista Ultimate (SP1) My System	Re: Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command. That is not what I wanted. It simply launches the same command over and over again in one instance of command prompt. I need the same command running in multiple instances. Regards, Nicholas.

09-29-2009, 05:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Great State of New Jersey - away from the gross corruption of the Riverside County, CA, SO office. SHAMEFUL ! Posts: 10,125 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command. try this - copy to bat file an execute it Code: start cmd /k ping www.website.com -t & start ping www.website.com -t & start ping www.website.com -t I should warn you to beware of the 3 windows that will fly out at you. jcgriff2 . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread Glad to be home in the Great State of New Jersey ! ! Last edited by jcgriff2; 09-29-2009 at 05:53 AM.

09-29-2009, 06:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
billybong001 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 19 OS: Vista Ultimate (SP1) My System	Re: Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command. Hmm, running that batch file caused an infinite loop of command prompt windows. Which eventually forced me to reset the computer. Currently, the lines: start cmd -ping www.website.com start cmd -ping www.website.com start cmd -ping www.website.com pause Successfully call out 3 windows, but they do not automatically run the ping command. Regards, Nicholas. Edit: the command prompt points to the Desktop instead of it's default (users\username). As a result I am unable to use any system commands. Last edited by billybong001; 09-29-2009 at 06:41 AM.

09-30-2009, 05:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
billybong001 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 19 OS: Vista Ultimate (SP1) My System	Re: Batch file: multiple instances of a CMD command. Thank you jcgriff2, that was absolutely perfect. I typed out what I would typically enter into command prompt after Users\nicky9499> It seems I was missing out the /k tags to make it execute. Speaking of which, what does the /k and >NUL do? Regards, Nicholas. Last edited by billybong001; 09-30-2009 at 05:54 AM.