Any way to get XP/W2K3 command window to stay in foreground

[ColKurtz]

I often have to wake test servers remotely, and I usually launch a dos prompt and do a ping -t so that I know when the server is up. I usually start working on something else while the server boots, and usually get distracted. Is there a way to force a command window to stay in the foreground, so that I'll notice as soon as it comes online. Or is there some applet that does this?

TIA

 

[TechnoPro]

While I don't know of any program that will force a window into the foreground, I'd suggest writing a simple script to do what you want. One way would be to parse the ping results and when a system became live, an event would be triggered - something noticeable.

 

[Tarrant64]

there is an app that will allow you to do this. I used something about a month ago that allowed me to add custom options to my window options(such as stay on top). Transparency, zoom, etc. I do not have the link on me now, but I think I have the install file so I will try to see where I got it from. Won't be until later today...

 

[ColKurtz]

Originally posted by: Tarrant64
there is an app that will allow you to do this. I used something about a month ago that allowed me to add custom options to my window options(such as stay on top). Transparency, zoom, etc.

Was it TweakWindows? I ended up trying that out, and will probably buy it b/c I like it so much, but it actually does NOT do what I wanted it to -- which is force a Command Prompt to stay in the foreground. TweakWindows functions work on every other window in XP *except* the dos prompt. I emailed the developer and he said it is due to some technical glitch/limitation imposed by MS. I think this is true, b/c I tried another "stay on top" program (Active Window Manager) and it wouldn't work with the Command Prompt either (but also worked on all other windows). I also downloaded 4NT, a replacement for the command window with boatloads of neat features, but TweakWindow doesn't work with it, either. Grrr!

For anyone else who might have this question, my solution was to download Visual Ping, a freeware ping utility which TweakWindows DOES work with. The biggest thing I like about TweakWindows is its "Ghost" feature - in addtion to the stay-on-top function. Ghosting is like transparency but I can work *through* the transparent window (mouse clicks go thru the Visual Ping window to whatever is behind it, like a web browser or whatever). Pretty nifty.