Why does MouseMovRel differ from machine to machine

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 6:02 pm

Two machines both running at 1280x1024 resolution. One is xp and the other is 2000. My script runs this older dos program and has to use mouse move to operate the menu.

For some reason pressing alt and selecting a menu short cut key doesn't work which is strange to me since I can do it manually just not in the macro scheduler.

Anyway back to the first problem, I'll design the script on my xp machine and then run it on the 2000 machine but I'll have to adjust the mousemovrel commands very slightly to get them on target.

Also this dos program I have the window properties set to put it at 0,0 every time it starts so that it is always in the same position.

Any thoughts? Thanks

Captive · Post by **Captive** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 6:19 pm

Perhaps a larger window titlebar height, font size/toolbar height, etc?

support · Post by **support** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 7:30 pm

Yes, could be to do with the font size, style or theme set up in display properties. This will make a difference to the borders and title bars of windows etc.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:03 pm

I didn't change any of the properties of the window so they are all default and I don't see why MS would between these two releases.

I just double checked, the font usage is the same as well.

Lumumba · Post by **Lumumba** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:32 pm

Anyway back to the first problem, I'll design the script on my xp machine and then run it on the 2000 machine but I'll have to adjust the mousemovrel commands very slightly to get them on target.

Yep, confirmed. XP's Luna style uses "thicker" (title)bars. You can test that if you swap XP from Luna to "Classic Style").

btw: it's the same with other scripting tools. Not a typical MSched issue.

support · Post by **support** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:04 pm

Yes, Windows is so configurable that changing font styles, themes and styles will make a difference to window sizes and relative positions.

The target machine no doubt differs from the development machine. Nothing to do with Macro Scheduler versions, just differences in Windows configs.

Bottom line - don't rely on mouse events. Use keystrokes. If you DO have to use mouse events try to control the position and size of the windows you are automating. If necessary this may mean changing the target machine's display properties in the script before issuing the mouse movements.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:13 pm

Oh btw thanks for responding to my posts. I know its the weekend and so I appreciate the support.

Well both of the systems are mine and I have never changed any font settings or anything like that so I am at a loss as to why they are different.

The program I am running is an old dos based program which if you hold the alt key and hit keys you can drive the menu so to speak. For some reason in Macro Scheduler when you do the Press Alt it doesn't do anything. Have you ever had that problem come up before? Is there a way to send the key code for that key instead if there is one?

Thanks again.

support · Post by **support** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:48 pm

Automating DOS programs is always hit and miss. See following FAQ:

http://www.mjtnet.com/index.mv?msfaq7.html

You have already said one system is XP and the other is Win2k. So they are different. Something has to be different if you are getting different results.

Feel free to post your script and we can take a look and see if we can suggest any improvements to make it more generic.