NVDA Portable Start
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Howard Traxler
I have a portable copy of "NVDA on a thumb drive in a folder called NVDA211. It contains NVDA version 2021.1. When I shut down my installed NVDA, switch to the thumb drive and execute a batch file that starts the portable version, it starts in a command mode that does not accept commands; nor will it exit back to windows. This does not seem normal to me. Wonder how I can make it stay in windows when I start the portable?
Thanks. Howard
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How is NVDA invoked in that batch file? And by that I mean please copy and paste the line from the batch file that fires up NVDA.
-- Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H1, Build 19043 The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly. ~ Vance Packard
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Howard Traxler
Here's the batch file; only three lines:
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@echo off cd\nvda211 NVDA.exe This is my second try. First try did not have the cd command but just said: @echo off nvda211\NVDA.exe Of course, that batch file is in the root of the thumb drive. When I start NVDA using the Batch file, the (assumed) title bar says: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe The rest of the screen appears to be blank. Howard
On 11/27/2021 7:26 PM, Brian Vogel wrote:
How is NVDA invoked in that batch file? And by that I mean please copy and paste the line from the batch file that fires up NVDA.
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Howard,
A typical invocation of NVDA (installed version0 using the desktop icon it sets up when you ask for one is: "C:\Program Files (x86)\NVDA\nvda_slave.exe" launchNVDA -r I have checked a portable instance of NVDA that I have on my jump drive, and nvda_slave.exe is a part of the portable setup. Thus, presuming your jump drive has the drive letter P, and that the root of the NVDA portable folder structure is nvda211, I would put the following in the script: P:\nvda211\nvda_slave.exe launchNVDA -r Just look to make sure that the nvda_slave.exe file exists at the location you specify for the full path leading up to the rest of the command. I just tried this, with the correct path, of course, for my portable copy from a command prompt and it works like a charm. -- Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H1, Build 19043 The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly. ~ Vance Packard
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Gene
I’m not sure what is going on. When you say it won’t exit to Windows,
have you tried typing exit and pressing enter? While convenient, you don’t
have to use a batch file. If necessary, I’ll discuss how to run NVDA
without one.
Gene
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard Traxler
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 7:09 PM
To: NVDA
Subject: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start I
have a portable copy of "NVDA on a thumb drive in a folder called
NVDA211. It contains NVDA version 2021.1. When I shut down my installed NVDA, switch to the thumb drive and execute a batch file that starts the portable version, it starts in a command mode that does not accept commands; nor will it exit back to windows. This does not seem normal to me. Wonder how I can make it stay in windows when I start the portable? Thanks. Howard
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Gene
I tried doing what you do and it runs the terminal, which I know nothing
about. I closed it in the following way:
I opened the system menu with alt space. I either down arrowed or up
arrowed to close and pressed enter. The terminal closed and I was back in
Windows. You can also use c in the menu to close the terminal instead of
arrowing to close, as follows:
alt space
type c.
Gene
-----Original Message-----
I’m not sure what is going on. When you say it won’t exit to Windows,
have you tried typing exit and pressing enter? While convenient, you don’t
have to use a batch file. If necessary, I’ll discuss how to run NVDA
without one.
Gene
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard Traxler
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 7:09 PM
To: NVDA
Subject: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start I
have a portable copy of "NVDA on a thumb drive in a folder called
NVDA211. It contains NVDA version 2021.1. When I shut down my installed NVDA, switch to the thumb drive and execute a batch file that starts the portable version, it starts in a command mode that does not accept commands; nor will it exit back to windows. This does not seem normal to me. Wonder how I can make it stay in windows when I start the portable? Thanks. Howard
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Thats a problem really.
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Yeah, there is no way to actually do this with aditional mucking about. You can use nircmd or other program to run your batch file. You can run them with a script. You can run them from a shortcut. You can run and edit a shortcut to hide or minimise a window. You can run the batch file normally, then once nvda is running hit alt f4. You can just type x:\nvda211\nvda into run as long as you know the drive letter.
On 28/11/2021, Gene <gsasner@...> wrote:
I tried doing what you do and it runs the terminal, which I know nothing
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Howard Traxler
OK and thanks, Brian. One (or three) questions:
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Does the slave comend preceed, follow, or replace the call to nvda.exe? and must that first part be in quotations? Thanks for your help. Howard
On 11/27/2021 7:59 PM, Brian Vogel wrote:
Howard,
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Howard Traxler
I think I did an Alt F4 in that terminal window and it closed. Not sure.
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Howard
On 11/27/2021 9:54 PM, Gene wrote:
I tried doing what you do and it runs the terminal, which I know nothing about. I closed it in the following way:
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Gene
I really doubt it, though you can try again and see. It doesn’t work
here and, though I’m using Windows 7, I don’t think there would be any
difference.
Others with more technical knowledge may want to discuss this, but I think
that, whatever is opened, it is related to the command prompt, which can’t be
closed with alt f4.
Gene
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard Traxler
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 11:35 PM
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start I
think I did an Alt F4 in that terminal window and it closed. Not
sure. Howard On 11/27/2021 9:54 PM, Gene wrote: > I tried doing what you do and it runs the terminal, which I know > nothing about. I closed it in the following way: > I opened the system menu with alt space. I either down arrowed or up > arrowed to close and pressed enter. The terminal closed and I was > back in Windows. You can also use c in the menu to close the terminal > instead of arrowing to close, as follows: > alt space > type c. > Gene > -----Original Message----- > *From:* Gene <mailto:gsasner@...> > *Sent:* Saturday, November 27, 2021 9:33 PM > *To:* nvda@nvda.groups.io <mailto:nvda@nvda.groups.io> > *Subject:* Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start > I’m not sure what is going on. When you say it won’t exit to Windows, > have you tried typing exit and pressing enter? While convenient, you > don’t have to use a batch file. If necessary, I’ll discuss how to run > NVDA without one. > Gene > -----Original Message----- > *From:* Howard Traxler <mailto:htraxler7@...> > *Sent:* Saturday, November 27, 2021 7:09 PM > *To:* NVDA <mailto:nvda@nvda.groups.io> > *Subject:* [nvda] NVDA Portable Start > I have a portable copy of "NVDA on a thumb drive in a folder called > NVDA211. It contains NVDA version 2021.1. When I shut down my > installed NVDA, switch to the thumb drive and execute a batch file that > starts the portable version, it starts in a command mode that does not > accept commands; nor will it exit back to windows. This does not seem > normal to me. Wonder how I can make it stay in windows when I start the > portable? > > Thanks. > > Howard > > > > > >
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Howard Traxler
Yes, typing exit is the one that doesn't work. I think I found that alt F4 closes that window.
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Someone (can't remember who it was) directed me to create a batch file because windows no longer recognizes autorun.inf. I had the whole NVDA in the root of the thumb drive. But now, since I want to be able to choose from two versions of NVDA, I'm putting each in his own folder. So I will create a batch file for each version 21.1 and 21.2. The name of the thumb drive is 1. So, without any speech running, I can do windows e to open this pc; then another 1 to go to the thumb drive. Enter to open it and do 1, enter or 2, enter to start the NVDA choice. I think this should work on a machine that has no speech installed. Howard
On 11/27/2021 9:33 PM, Gene wrote:
I’m not sure what is going on. When you say it won’t exit to Windows, have you tried typing exit and pressing enter? While convenient, you don’t have to use a batch file. If necessary, I’ll discuss how to run NVDA without one.
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Gene
I can’t tell from what you write whether you plan to use the batch file on
one machine or many machines. You don’t know what letter is going to be
assigned to the thumb drive on different machines. And the machine or
machines do have speech installed. You can run Narrator, manually run
NVDA, then close Narrator. There is no harm in having both screen-readers
running at the same time until you close Narrator.
A batch file will only work if a machine assigns the same letter to the
thumb drive as you have the batch file set for. You should use Narrator,
not a batch file, unless you intend to run the portable only on the same machine
so you know the letter is the same.
Gene
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard Traxler
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2021 4:09 AM
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start Yes,
typing exit is the one that doesn't work. I think I found that alt F4 closes that window. Someone (can't remember who it was) directed me to create a batch file because windows no longer recognizes autorun.inf. I had the whole NVDA in the root of the thumb drive. But now, since I want to be able to choose from two versions of NVDA, I'm putting each in his own folder. So I will create a batch file for each version 21.1 and 21.2. The name of the thumb drive is 1. So, without any speech running, I can do windows e to open this pc; then another 1 to go to the thumb drive. Enter to open it and do 1, enter or 2, enter to start the NVDA choice. I think this should work on a machine that has no speech installed. Howard On 11/27/2021 9:33 PM, Gene wrote: > I’m not sure what is going on. When you say it won’t exit to Windows, > have you tried typing exit and pressing enter? While convenient, you > don’t have to use a batch file. If necessary, I’ll discuss how to run > NVDA without one. > Gene > -----Original Message----- > *From:* Howard Traxler <mailto:htraxler7@...> > *Sent:* Saturday, November 27, 2021 7:09 PM > *To:* NVDA <mailto:nvda@nvda.groups.io> > *Subject:* [nvda] NVDA Portable Start > I have a portable copy of "NVDA on a thumb drive in a folder called > NVDA211. It contains NVDA version 2021.1. When I shut down my > installed NVDA, switch to the thumb drive and execute a batch file that > starts the portable version, it starts in a command mode that does not > accept commands; nor will it exit back to windows. This does not seem > normal to me. Wonder how I can make it stay in windows when I start the > portable? > > Thanks. > > Howard > > > > > >
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Chris Mullins
Hi Yes it does run the terminal as batch files are essentially a series of DOS commands that require that environment to run. The following will start the specified program and exit the command prompt environment:
@echo off start <full pathname including drive letter> Exit
Example:
@echo off start %windir%\system32\notepad.exe exit
Cheers Chris
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Shaun Everiss
Sent: 28 November 2021 04:04 To: nvda@nvda.groups.io Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start
Thats a problem really. Yeah, there is no way to actually do this with aditional mucking about. You can use nircmd or other program to run your batch file. You can run them with a script. You can run them from a shortcut. You can run and edit a shortcut to hide or minimise a window. You can run the batch file normally, then once nvda is running hit alt f4. You can just type x:\nvda211\nvda into run as long as you know the drive letter.
On 28/11/2021, Gene <gsasner@...> wrote: > I tried doing what you do and it runs the terminal, which I know nothing > about. I closed it in the following way: > I opened the system menu with alt space. I either down arrowed or up > arrowed to close and pressed enter. The terminal closed and I was back in > Windows. You can also use c in the menu to close the terminal instead of > arrowing to close, as follows: > alt space > type c. > > Gene > -----Original Message----- > From: Gene > Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 9:33 PM > To: nvda@nvda.groups.io > Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start > > I’m not sure what is going on. When you say it won’t exit to Windows, have > you tried typing exit and pressing enter? While convenient, you don’t have > to use a batch file. If necessary, I’ll discuss how to run NVDA without > one. > > Gene > -----Original Message----- > From: Howard Traxler > Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 7:09 PM > To: NVDA > Subject: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start > > I have a portable copy of "NVDA on a thumb drive in a folder called > NVDA211. It contains NVDA version 2021.1. When I shut down my > installed NVDA, switch to the thumb drive and execute a batch file that > starts the portable version, it starts in a command mode that does not > accept commands; nor will it exit back to windows. This does not seem > normal to me. Wonder how I can make it stay in windows when I start the > portable? > > Thanks. > > Howard > > > > > > > > > > >
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Gene
I find this subject interesting but I'm
not sure if it should continue here or on the chat list. My
experience is that if I write a batch file to run something, I
don't get stuck in the terminal. Whatever runs closes
automatically.
I just tested this by creating a batch
file to run MP3 Direct Cut. Whatever the environment is, It runs
and then automatically closes. I haven't created many batch files
to run programs but the ones I have work like that with the
exception of NVDA. Does NVDA run in some unusual way, perhaps
related to Python that causes the terminal window not to close?
Gene
On 11/28/2021 6:16 AM, Chris Mullins
wrote:
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Chris Mullins
Hi In a previous message I posted:
@echo off start <full path including drive letter> Exit
I have subsequently found that the start command will launch the program in the filepath without waiting for it to terminate and exit the command prompt but this only occurs if the program being launched is a windowed application, otherwise the command prompt window will not close until the launched program has terminated. Gene mentioned that he had successfully launched MP3 Direct Cut as I did Notepad and that would be because both of these programs have a GUI.
The following batch file content worked fine for me, in that it launched NVDA and closed the command prompt window:
@echo off "C:\Program Files (x86)\NVDA\nvda_slave.exe" launchNVDA -r
Howard asked about the filepath bing in quotes. In the example above the filepath has to be in quotes because it contains a space. If the whole filepath is an unbroken character string, you do not require quotes. This harks back to the days of DOS when spaces were not allowed in folder/file names. When Windows eventually allowed folder/file names to contain spaces, quotes were introduced to delimit the filepath so that older command parsers could still work with the new formats for folder/file names. Apologies for supplying the misleading information.
Cheers Chris Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Gene
Sent: 28 November 2021 13:01 To: nvda@nvda.groups.io Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start
I find this subject interesting but I'm not sure if it should continue here or on the chat list. My experience is that if I write a batch file to run something, I don't get stuck in the terminal. Whatever runs closes automatically.
I just tested this by creating a batch file to run MP3 Direct Cut. Whatever the environment is, It runs and then automatically closes. I haven't created many batch files to run programs but the ones I have work like that with the exception of NVDA. Does NVDA run in some unusual way, perhaps related to Python that causes the terminal window not to close?
Gene On 11/28/2021 6:16 AM, Chris Mullins wrote:
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On Sun, Nov 28, 2021 at 12:29 AM, Howard Traxler wrote:
Does the slave command preceed, follow, or replace the call to nvda.exe?- A lot of this territory seems to have been covered, but it replaces it. Based on what I can literally see when using a script with nvda_slave.exe in it, that clearly calls NVDA and, regardless of the result (which has always been success for me), exits and that allows the command prompt itself to exit. NVDA.exe does not exit, it is what runs NVDA, and so long as its running control is not returned to the command prompt to allow it to do anything else. NVDA does not get invoked asynchronously by default. As Chris Mullins noted, one could elect to use the start command to force an asynchronous process for NVDA to be started and control promptly returned to the command prompt. I elected not to do this simply because if NVAccess uses nvda_slave to invoke NVDA, and that always works, copying that method seemed to be the wisest path of action to me. -- Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H1, Build 19043 The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly. ~ Vance Packard
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Howard Traxler
Sorry Gene, I should have explained further:
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In the past couple months I've been getting help to get a new machine (that doesn't have any speech)started, to reinstall windows and then load NVDA. So I'm making a set of startup thumb drives to get the system started and and run the reinstall software, then NVDA. Or maybe it should be NVDA first, then reinstall. I used a utility to create bootable (reinstall) thumb drives, both 32 and 64 (so I could use it on other computers. Cant remember the name of that utility (probably you know) and can't find it on my hard drive. Someone gave me the hint, that if I label the thumb drive with something like 1, I can go to it directly by opening "this pc" and typing 1. Then executing the batch file that starts NVDA. That way, I don't need to know the letter of thedrive. It works. The only problem that remains is to make sure the machine boots from the USB port. I have a friend coming over (some time) to help me with the CMOS setup. That gets a little windy, but I think it explains what I'm tryng to do. Thank you, Gene, for offerring your assist. Howard
On 11/28/2021 5:22 AM, Gene wrote:
I can’t tell from what you write whether you plan to use the batch file on one machine or many machines. You don’t know what letter is going to be assigned to the thumb drive on different machines. And the machine or machines do have speech installed. You can run Narrator, manually run NVDA, then close Narrator. There is no harm in having both screen-readers running at the same time until you close Narrator.
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Howard Traxler
Thanks, Chris, it appeared that I should add the exit command to my batch. So I did and it still ended in the terminal mode. Alt F4 does close it.
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Howard
On 11/28/2021 6:16 AM, Chris Mullins wrote:
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Gene
I’ll let those who have done what you are doing or know more about it
discuss it further. Perhaps your explanation will result in helpful
discussion.
Gene
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard Traxler
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2021 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start Sorry
Gene, I should have explained further: In the past couple months I've been getting help to get a new machine (that doesn't have any speech)started, to reinstall windows and then load NVDA. So I'm making a set of startup thumb drives to get the system started and and run the reinstall software, then NVDA. Or maybe it should be NVDA first, then reinstall. I used a utility to create bootable (reinstall) thumb drives, both 32 and 64 (so I could use it on other computers. Cant remember the name of that utility (probably you know) and can't find it on my hard drive. Someone gave me the hint, that if I label the thumb drive with something like 1, I can go to it directly by opening "this pc" and typing 1. Then executing the batch file that starts NVDA. That way, I don't need to know the letter of thedrive. It works. The only problem that remains is to make sure the machine boots from the USB port. I have a friend coming over (some time) to help me with the CMOS setup. That gets a little windy, but I think it explains what I'm tryng to do. Thank you, Gene, for offerring your assist. Howard On 11/28/2021 5:22 AM, Gene wrote: > I can’t tell from what you write whether you plan to use the batch > file on one machine or many machines. You don’t know what letter is > going to be assigned to the thumb drive on different machines. And > the machine or machines do have speech installed. You can run > Narrator, manually run NVDA, then close Narrator. There is no harm in > having both screen-readers running at the same time until you close > Narrator. > A batch file will only work if a machine assigns the same letter to > the thumb drive as you have the batch file set for. You should use > Narrator, not a batch file, unless you intend to run the portable only > on the same machine so you know the letter is the same. > Gene > -----Original Message----- > *From:* Howard Traxler <mailto:htraxler7@...> > *Sent:* Sunday, November 28, 2021 4:09 AM > *To:* nvda@nvda.groups.io <mailto:nvda@nvda.groups.io> > *Subject:* Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start > Yes, typing exit is the one that doesn't work. I think I found that alt > F4 closes that window. > > Someone (can't remember who it was) directed me to create a batch file > because windows no longer recognizes autorun.inf. I had the whole NVDA > in the root of the thumb drive. But now, since I want to be able to > choose from two versions of NVDA, I'm putting each in his own folder. > So I will create a batch file for each version 21.1 and 21.2. > > The name of the thumb drive is 1. So, without any speech running, I can > do windows e to open this pc; then another 1 to go to the thumb drive. > Enter to open it and do 1, enter or 2, enter to start the NVDA choice. > > I think this should work on a machine that has no speech installed. > > Howard > > On 11/27/2021 9:33 PM, Gene wrote: > > I’m not sure what is going on. When you say it won’t exit to Windows, > > have you tried typing exit and pressing enter? While convenient, you > > don’t have to use a batch file. If necessary, I’ll discuss how to run > > NVDA without one. > > Gene > > -----Original Message----- > > *From:* Howard Traxler <mailto:htraxler7@...> > > *Sent:* Saturday, November 27, 2021 7:09 PM > > *To:* NVDA <mailto:nvda@nvda.groups.io> > > *Subject:* [nvda] NVDA Portable Start > > I have a portable copy of "NVDA on a thumb drive in a folder called > > NVDA211. It contains NVDA version 2021.1. When I shut down my > > installed NVDA, switch to the thumb drive and execute a batch file that > > starts the portable version, it starts in a command mode that does not > > accept commands; nor will it exit back to windows. This does not seem > > normal to me. Wonder how I can make it stay in windows when I start the > > portable? > > > > Thanks. > > > > Howard > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
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Steve Nutt
Hi,
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You need a space between the CD and the backslash like this Cd c:\ etc. All the best Steve -- To subscribe to our News and Special Offers list, go to https://www.comproom.co.uk/subscribe Computer Room Services 77 Exeter Close Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 4PW T: +44(0)1438-742286 M: +44(0)7956-334938 F: +44(0)1438-759589 E: steve@... W: https://www.comproom.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Howard Traxler Sent: 28 November 2021 01:43 To: nvda@nvda.groups.io Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Portable Start Here's the batch file; only three lines: @echo off cd\nvda211 NVDA.exe This is my second try. First try did not have the cd command but just said: @echo off nvda211\NVDA.exe Of course, that batch file is in the root of the thumb drive. When I start NVDA using the Batch file, the (assumed) title bar says: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe The rest of the screen appears to be blank. Howard On 11/27/2021 7:26 PM, Brian Vogel wrote: How is NVDA invoked in that batch file? And by that I mean please
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