I've been recently messing around with batch files again. Heh unfortunatly the latest build of windows (XP), doesnt even run on the same shell anymore. Anyhow, I've noticed that a lot of the commands have been taken out completely. I used to use choice... which no doubt no longer works. If anyone has a work around for small imputs id love you forever. The other thing ive been having trouble with, is stripping. Is there any way to strip text, say from the ping command? Any help would be greatly appriciated.

I cant help you on the other stuff but her's how I get input... @echo off echo type input and press enter. set /p input= echo input=%input%         OR @echo off set /p input=type input and press enter: echo input=%input% Very easy and allows more then 1 char. to be entered.

At URL: http://home.mnet-online.de/horst.muc/ you'll find: WBAT 2.40 - Dialog Box Tool - (53Kb Download) Dialog boxes for DOS batch: menues, buttons, input fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, list selection Easy handling, no ANSI stuff to deal with - colors are specified by name. WBAT runs under all Windows versions or plain DOS. Features: Layout for box with text and control elements - all elements can be freely arranged Quick box with specifications in the command line Selection from batch generated lists (e.g. DIR file lists) Text pages with color attributes INI file with defaults and preferences Win NT/2000 compatible handling of variables Mouse handling is supported in a GUI box as well as in full screen mode. Of course WBAT will also work under plain DOS. DEMO.BAT supplied with full handling details (instead of a DOC file). Might be a bit of overkill, but you DO GET INPUT & CHOICE type commands. - It also makes your BATchfile LOOK GOOD! Baldy.

by "stripping text" do you mean putting into a variable? or do you mean writing it to a file? help me out here i'm lost.