Windows Tip Sheet

Command Line Performance

Some command-line tips from my TechMentor Conference session.

• By Jeffery Hicks
• 10/25/2006

Find out how long a system has been up Do this by checking the pagefile with the command:

DIR %systemdrive%\pagefile.sys /ah

If you've moved the pagefile to a different volume, then you'll need to modify the path. If the pagefile on a remote system is on C:\ you could run:

DIR \\servername\C$\pagefile.sys /ah

The page file time stamp should indicate when the server was last booted.

Create a text file from the command line To create a simple text file, perhaps with some computer names, at a command prompt type:

copy con servers.txt

and then press Enter. Carefully type in each name and press Enter. When finished, press Enter for a blank line and then Ctrl-Z. That's it!

Build a graphical report of your folder hierarchy At a command prompt type:

Tree C:\ /a >CDriveTree.txt

and wait a minute or so. When the prompt returns, you should have a text file that displays the entire folder structure laid out in a tree.

Use the SUBST command to assign a drive letter to a folder path I have a scripts directory I use frequently from a command prompt. Unfortunately it takes a lot of typing change to the directory. To make my life easier, I can use a command like:

SUBST S: "c:\documents and settings\jhicks\my documents\scripts"

which will add drive S: to my computer. Opening S: either in the command prompt or Windows explorer takes me right to my scripts directory.

I'll bring you more TechMentor tips in a future column.