I am trying to find a switch or command that will include the date and time in a log file generated by a batch backup job I have written. In it's current form it generates a list of the files and directories that have been backed up and appends it to the end of the log file, but I need to know when each backup was run. This is what I have written so far.... ---------------- @echo off echo ********* Backup started ******* >> f:\test\backuplog.txt echo * >>f:\test\backuplog.txt xcopy32 c:\temp\favs f:\test /d /s /c /r /y >> f:\test\backuplog.txt echo * >>f:\test\backuplog.txt echo ******** Backup Completed ***** >> f:\test\backuplog.txt echo off --------------- I would like the date and time to insert immediately after the "Backup started" line. Please help me if you can. Many thanks

Well, if you want to add the date and time to a file that already exists, you will need to append the date and time to that file. So the file is f:\test\backuplog.txt. What you'd do is this: DATE /T >>f:\test\backuplog.txt TIME /T >>f:\test\backuplog.txt In case you're wondering, the "/T" command makes it so that it just displays the date or time rather than asking for a new date or time. I hope that works out for you!

Thanks. I have just inserted this into the BAT file and run it, and it inserts the request for a new date and time into the log file. Plus you need to press enter twice on the blank command prompt to make it complete. Any further setting required?

Watch for wrapped lines! Place this in your batch file. @ECHO off %COMSPEC%/CFOR %%v in (1 2) do prompt Backup started$q$d $t$_>>%temp%.\backup.tmp FIND "=" >f:\test\backuplog.txt DEL %temp%.\backup.tmp type f:\test\backuplog.txt

Man I hate this mesage board, it really sucks - I mean the messaging mechanics stink. BTW, the TYPE line was just for demonstration.

Seymour, you say that it inserts the request for a new date and time into the log file. What version of DOS are you using? The "/T" command should eliminate that.

Thanks Adam and Laurence - much appreciated. Laurence - sorry mate, your stuff was so far over my head I just had to laugh! Where does it wrap, and where are the carriage returns? I pasted your work in and tried it but the job never completes. Any ideas? Adam - It's the DOS shell within Windows 98. When the job is run it outputs the date/time requests into the log file. Pressing enter twice on the blank command prompt screen allows the job to complete but doesn't actually insert the date/time. Thankyou both for your help