April, 2007

Hey, Scripting Guy! I have about 400 log files in a folder. I need to go in and remove the first 5 lines from each of those log files. How can I write a script to do that? -- JW Hey, JW. Before we begin we need to issue a clarification. A few days...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I assign a background color (based on a specified value) to a spreadsheet cell and then “sum” those cells? -- JC Hey, JC. Thanks for the question. And yes, you heard correctly: in his last game the Scripting Son did indeed...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I write a script that starts a process, waits until that process ends, and then logs the user off the computer? -- AG Hey, AG. You know, the Scripting Guy who writes this column is never one to brag, mainly because he never...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I sort a row in an Excel spreadsheet? -- RF Hey, RF. You know, this is a tough question, but as a resident of the state of Washington the Scripting Guy who writes this column doesn’t shy away from a challenge. Therefore...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I get the command window to stay open when I right-click a .VBS file and choose Open With Command Prompt ?? -- BB Hey, BB. You know, according to BB’s email signature, he’s 9 years old. If that’s true, well, that’s absolutely...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I open a text file and replace the first 5 characters with the first 5 characters of the local computer name? -- EC Hey, EC. You know, you might find this hard to believe (his fellow Scripting Guys absolutely refuse to believe...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I write a script that increments a counter each time a particular log file gets updated? -- HJ Hey, HJ. You know, lately the Scripting Guy who writes this column has been victimized by a disturbing phenomenon: he keeps getting...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I get a list of all the local users who have an expiring password? -- JM Hey, JM. Thanks for the question. Before we answer it, however, we have a question for you : you don’t by any chance have any spare dice lying around...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I tell whether or not QuickTime is installed on a computer, and, if so, which version is installed? -- IU Hey, IU. You know, for some reason this column suddenly seems to have become a daily dancing column rather than a...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I tack a prefix onto the telephone numbers of all the users in my domain? -- JB Hey, JB. It’s Monday morning as this column is being written, and the Scripting Guy who actually writes this column is still a bit tired from...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I read the contents of a text file, and then declare those contents as variables? -- TC Hey, TC. Before we begin, did you really ask us this question? We’re positive that you did, but, the way things have been going lately...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I map drive X on a computer, but only if drive X isn’t already in use? -- PN Hey, PN. You know, this is almost too good to be true (but, sadly, it is true). The Scripting Guy who writes this column was busy writing this...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I remove the password when opening an Excel spreadsheet? -- JE Hey, JE. You know, it’s finally happened: after two-and-a-half years of writing this column we’ve finally run out of things to talk about. The “heartbeat sensor...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I get a list of all the users who have a process open on a computer? -- RE Hey, RE. You know, over the past 5 years the number of people who watch the news on the major networks (ABC, NBC, and CBS) has dropped precipitously;...

Hey, Scripting Guy! I read your article on filtering email messages in Microsoft Outlook, and it’s almost what I need, but not quite. What I really need to know is this: how can I filter Outlook messages by the email address of the person who sent the...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I tell whether a laptop computer is running off batteries? -- TJ Hey, TJ. Ah, yes: batteries. Back in December the Scripting House lost power for six days. Was the Scripting Guy who writes this column concerned? Of course...

Hey, Scripting Guy! In a logon script, how can I enable users to choose a default printer from a list of the printers installed on their computer? -- JD Hey, JD. You know, a lot of people write in to say, “Hey, Scripting Guys! Why do you limit yourselves...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I configure an expiration date for a local user account? -- GW Hey, GW. You know, it’s amazing how quickly things change in the fast-paced world of system administration scripting. For example, in Monday’s column we announced...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I import an Excel spreadsheet into an Access database? -- IE Hey, IE. Wait! Don’t tell us; let us guess. Just a moment … we’re picking up the vibrations now … the sensation is getting stronger and more distinct … OK, got...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I save a table in an Access database as an Excel spreadsheet? -- OT Hey, OT. You know, we appreciate the question, but where were you last week, when we really needed you? The truth is, last week was excruciatingly dull...

Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I determine the remaining operating system grace period for a computer running Windows Vista? -- LD Hey, LD. You know, a number of years ago the Scripting Guy who writes this column came outside after work only to discover...