batch files

[Donna Tunstall]

Hello there!

I've searched the forum for help on this but can't seem to find what I need. I know I can run batch files from Access but I seem to be hitting a brick wall. Maybe it's because I a bit fick or maybe because it's Friday but I'm just completely stuck.

I have the basic syntax down OK and can get the calculator to execute using this example.

Sub Test()
Dim RetVal
RetVal = Shell("C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\calc.exe", 1)
End Sub

Moving ahead from there I can get X:\DIRECTORY\SUBDIRECTORY\PKZIP.EXE to run also. But when I try to run a batch file with the command PKZIP -A OTTAWA Ot*.snp inside it bums out, or even if I just call a batch file with PKZIP.EXE as it's only command (just as a test) it changes the format of the sub-directory and I end up with this in the DOS window:

X:\DIRECTORY\SUBDIRECTORY> (note the addition of the greater than sign) and "PKZIP.EXE is not recognised as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file".

I am obviously screwing up on syntax somewhere but the Access "help" file isn't really helping at all and I don't know where else to turn. Can someone help me figure out what it is that I am missing - or am I just totally off base on what I can do with this Shell command thingie.

Comments appreciated. Thanks in advance and apologies if I am covering old ground.

 

[rich.barry]

A few things to consider:

The X:\etc directory will not be part of your autoexec.bat, so you will have to use the full path name before both the pkzip bit and the file names you are zipping, unzipping or whatever.

Alternatively, your batch file could change the directory to where PKZIP and your files are located.
e.g.
cd\
x:\
cd\direct~1\subdir~1

Also bear in mind you will have to use 8 character filenames like above. No spaces allowed either