Launch a windows application from crontab

[Larry Hall (Cygwin)]

Ciro wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I've created a script, wich ends with the following line:
> 
> notepad <PATH>/test.txt
> 
> I've run the script and it works fine, the notepad opens the file and waits
> for me to close the window to exit. But when I run it from cron it doesn't
> work, can someone give me a hand on this?

Looking at '/var/log/cron.log' and the event log can be helpful in these
situations.

You should check the following:

   1. Does the environment that 'cron' runs in have '/windows/system32' in
      it?  Probably it does but it's always good practice to fully-qualify
      utilities used by services rather than assuming things will be set up
      in the environment the way you need them.

   2. Services don't have access to the desktop by default.  You have to
      ask for it.  On OS < Vista, you can specify '-i' to cygrunsrv when
      it installs 'cron' (with '/usr/bin/cron-config') or you can go to
      the "Services" applet under the "Adminstative Tools" in the "Control
      Panel" to find the "Cron daemon" and change this.  Double-click on
      it and go to the "Log On" tab.  Check "Allow service to interact with
      desktop".  On Vista and above, complain to MS. ;-)

(2) is the likely resolution to your problem.

-- 
Larry Hall                              http://www.rfk.com
RFK Partners, Inc.                      (508) 893-9779 - RFK Office
216 Dalton Rd.                          (508) 893-9889 - FAX
Holliston, MA 01746

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