Startup options for PICED and Schedule Plus

Hi All,
I'd like to know if its possible that when Windows starts up is it possible to then load Piced or Schedule Plus in the startup folder with options so that when it starts it loads a project.
So far this is all in the Windows startup and i can do this.

Then when they are loaded they connect to Cbus and and also sets it to Simulation mode automatically.
It's these last 2 options i cant seem to find anywhere, perhaps in logic or extended command line options.

regards
Trevor

 

Hi Trevor
Schedule Plus Start up.
From the help file I have used it on many jobs back in the day when I was working.
It worked well you need to make the PC start windows if there has been a power outage I think that done in BIOS.

Good Luck
Graham.
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How can you get Schedule Plus to start automatically when the computer starts up ?

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The simplest way is to put Schedule Plus in the Windows Start-up directory so that it starts when the computer starts up. You will need to set the Command Line Parameters to open the file and connect to C-Gate (and set any other required properties).



To do this :

1. Create a desktop short-cut to the Schedule Plus Project. This can be done as follows :

· Start the Schedule Plus software
· Load the project which will be used
· Connect to C-Bus
· Select the Tools | Create Desktop ShortCut menu item. This will create a short cut on the desktop.
· Close the Schedule Plus software
2. Right click on the desktop shortcut and select Properties

3. Set any Command Line Parameters needed (usually need /operate)

4. Test that the desktop shortcut works

5. Drag this shortcut to the Windows Start | Programs | Startup menu.

6. Re-start the computer and test that it operates correctly



It will be necessary for C-Gate to automatically start up too, before Schedule Plus starts.



It is recommended to install C-Gate in Service Mode (as selected in the C-Bus Toolkit installer). This ensures that C-Gate is running whenever you need it.



If for some reason you need to have C-Gate installed in Console Mode, you can still start it automatically thus:



1. Left click on the Windows Start | Programs | Clipsal | C-Gate2 | Console Version of C-Gate menu item while holding the CTRL key down

2. Drag the copy of the menu item to the Windows Start | Programs | Startup menu

3. Select a position in the menu, before the Schedule Plus menu item and drop the item (release the left mouse key)



Alternative Solution



There are various freeware utilities available which enable you to schedule the start-up of programs on power-up.

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The Schedule Plus program can be started with various properties enabled upon start-up. These properties are called Command-Line Parameters. For example the program can start with a particular file loaded, and with the C-Bus communications channel already open. This is particularly useful when the program is set to automatically start when the computer is started (by having the program in the Windows Startup folder) or if you have a Desktop shortcut.



To set the command-line parameters, right click on the Schedule Plus shortcut (on the desktop or Start menu), and select the Properties item. The command-line parameters are entered into the Target box.











The syntax is as follows :



ExeFilename [filename] [/cgate] [ /www ] [ /jpeg=level ] [/operate] [/nosplash] [/syncschedules] [/log=enable | /log=save | /log=append] [ /autosave | /autosave=time ]



Where :

· ExeFilename is the path and file name of the executable file. Note that if there are spaces in the executable file path or file name, the ExeFileName must be enclosed within double quotes.
· Filename is the name of a file to be loaded. Note that if there are spaces in the file name, the file name must be enclosed within double quotes.
· /cgate selects whether C-Bus communications are to be opened with C-Gate.
· /www determines whether to connect via the World Wide Web
· /jpeg determines the compression of jpeg images for www access. Options are low, medium, high or best (default is high).
· /operate puts the program in Operation Mode
·
· /nosplash shows the splash screen for only the minimum amount of time
· /syncschedules performs a Synchronise to Schedules after connection to C-Gate
· /log=enable enables the logging (these override the Remember Setting setting)
· /log=save enables the logging and saves it to a log file
· /log=append enables the logging and appends it to the log file
· /autosave sets the autosave feature on, with the default duration (15 minutes)
· /autosave=time sets the autosave on with the specified time (in seconds)


The ExeFileName must be present, and must be first. The Filename is optional, but if used, must be second. All other parameters are optional and may occur in any order. There must be a space between each parameter.





Examples :



"C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus.exe" "C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus\Projects\MyHouse.ctd"

will load the file MyHouse.ctd at start-up



"C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus.exe" "C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus\Projects\MyHouse.ctd" /cgate /log=save

will load the file MyHouse.ctd at start-up and connect via C-Gate, with logging enabled.



"C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus.exe" "C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus\Projects\MyHouse.ctd" /cgate /www /jpeg=high

will load the file MyHouse.ctd at start-up and connect via C-Gate, with web access with high quality jpeg images









See also Desktop Shortcut and the Use With Windows Vista topic in the FAQ.

 

Hi Graham,
Appreciate the reply,
But i have already found most of what you have said in the help files. I'm looking for specific options....
start up in Simulation mode and connect to cbus,
There is a possible fix for the simulation mode if i use logic to send a CTRL "s" as this has a shortcut key shown in the menu for it. But the "Connection to cbus" menu command doesn't have a shortcut key.

So that's what I'm looking for, 2 more things to automate the startup process.
"Connection to cbus" and
" Simulation mode"

 

Trevor
If you create short cut under tools/create a desktop shortcut then change the target in shortcut to read like this
"C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus.exe" "C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus\Projects\MyHouse.ctd" /cgate
This will start Schedule Plus run your project and connect to cgate all in programing mode if you put operate in "C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus.exe" "C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus\Projects\MyHouse.ctd" /cgate /operate it will go to run mode and connect to cgate.
I think I am on the same path of thinking as you.

 

Sound's good im off till Tuesday, ill try it then.
Cheers

 

Trevor you are correct, as options /cgate will connect to cbus and /operate will run in simulation mode full screen.
in the schedule plus toolbar create a shortcut from the software - drop it on desktop. (you can edit the arguments to add /cgate/nosplash/operate by editing properties of shortcut)

go to desktop and find shortcut of project and select properties

in the target you can add /nosplash /cgate / operate. then double click the shortcut and see it works
should look something like this
"C:\Clipsal\SchedulePlus\Schedule Plus.exe" "C:\Clipsal\SchedulePlus\Projects\Examples\Example 11 - GuideExample\GuideExample.ctd" /Log=Enable /nosplash /cgate /operate
now to autostart at windows in windows search type task scheduler


create a basic task
call it Cbus or whatever go through the setup - you may need to edit it after your done and also you may want to make sure the PC auto logs in if is going to be a display and also some other windows trickery like UAC settings and execute as a different version - but you get the drift