AutoHotkey Community

[Wolfer]

I just started using AutoHotKey - great program. I had been using AllChars for the macro part, but I just upgraded to VISTA, and AllChars has not been upgraded to work with VISTA yet.

I'm a physician using it mainly to automate a lot of annoying tasks in my computerized medical record system (it's very robust, but as user-friendly as a DOS program written in 1971). Our computers use Win2000, but the medical record runs on Linux which is viewed from Win2K. We can also access the medical record from outside the intranet, using a Citrix server pathway. From my home, on VISTA via the Internet, Autohotkey works fine using just the Send commands.

At work, using the Win2000 system to view the Linux chart program, when using the Click, command to run through some motions, I was able to get to the needed window in a fraction of a second instead of the usual 3-4 seconds (I set it up with AutoScriptWriter and cleaned it up a little).

However, after running the script a few times, AutoHotKey stopped responding to commands unless I reloaded the script. Then it apparently remapped my keyboard for me: the Up-Down keys stopped working, the backspace and Enter keys stopped working, the Ctrl key apparently became the Alt key, and I basically had to reboot to restore order. Tried again with the same result. Nothing fancy in the script, just Click 123,456. Wait. Click 789,123 Wait, Send !FV, Send {Down}, Click... etc...

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening? Do I need to downgrade to an older version of AutoHotKey for the configuration I'm using? AllChars works fine with this system - never had a problem (but it's also pretty limited: no Alt key, and no mouse clicks). I've put AutoHotkey on hold until I can figure this one out. I don't dare tell my IT people - we're not supposed to use any programs that were not already loaded on our computers, and I've already violated that rule many times over. (Shhhh!) The only programs I run routinely in the background are Clipmate and Powerdesk, and they never caused any problems.

[tank]

wow decent question
ok first thing some error control i have had several early scripts... ha only been using auto hotkey for 2 months
having similar problems
first use "return" after execution of each command kinda lets ahk to know to stop expecting more information... kinda
also if you could post some example of your script some of the more advanced experts here usually are able to pick problems apart just in looking at your syntax
_________________
Read this
Com
Automate IE7 with Tabs

[DerRaphael]

i guess your script works all right so the problem wont be to searched there.
also downgrading autohotkey is not a good idea, since updates contain not only newer functions, but also bugfixes from earlier versions.

i think the problem is very much to be searched in the configiration you're using and therefor no all-mighty solution can be provided.

i have been expiriencing much similar problems, stuck script, reload and sudden keyboard remapping afterwards untill next reboot with my configuration, except i have a win2k laptop and a xp dualscreen pc both in my network connected and used together with synergy2 to have only one keyboard and mouse for two different computer systems. since you're using citrix to access records at works pc, i assume that somehow windows get stuck with managing virtual keys and sending these to the apps properly so that these can forward the keying events.

i havent found a workaround nor a reason yet, since this happens quite suddenly and has no recognisable pattern.

i know only little about the autohotkey source code and how virtual keypresses are done either in ahk and in windows, but i have the strong feeling that this is the source of problems. since some apps simply get too 'greedy' or messes up windows or whatever.

i hope this post sheds some light upon your problem, sorry for not being a real help providing a usable solution.

probably its the way autohotkey hooks user's keyboard and mouse events while setting up those at reload, they crash windows due to some other application has hooks already taken place. try using different hooking methods in your script- maybe this'll help. also use alternate sendmodes in conjunction - autohotkey knows 3 different ways of sending events. the help file will tell you more on these topics (hooks and sendmode).

if nothing helps, post your script and we'll figure out together what to change ..

greets
derRaphael
_________________

[ AHK Forum Plugins (de/en) | AHK Help (de) | http://playahk.com]

[Guest]

Subject clarification: It's AutoHotkey (capital A, capital H)...

[Wolfer]

Regarding the keyboard problem, I'm wondering if it has something to do with the Window Spy or AutoScriptWriter, because after using Window Spy today, the keyboard seized again. Since I shut down Window Spy, I'm running AHK and so far no problems....

Here is a sample script:
::enfi::
WinWait, Hyperspace - Production
MouseClick, left, 41, 179
Sleep, 300
WinWait, Hyperspace - Production
MouseClick, left, 171, 215
Sleep, 300
WinWait, Hyperspace - Production
MouseClick, left, 153, 180
Sleep, 300
WinWait, Hyperspace - Production
MouseClick, left, 153, 305
Sleep, 300
WinWait, Hyperspace - Production
MouseClick, left, 153, 430
Sleep, 300
WinWait, Hyperspace - Production
MouseClick, left, 153, 381
MouseMove, 153, 467
return

Regarding our IT people:
My organization employs over 600 physicians, so the benefits of the size and power of the company outweigh my individual autonomy, but basically, IT is in-house, and none of them will take responsibility for checking out my software. Too much at stake if a medical program messes up, if you know what I mean. That's probably why the software is so overly simple and requires so many mouse clicks to get anything done: it's stable like an old overstuffed sofa - can't flip it over, but can't "customize" it either.
I sort of got a "wink" and a back door left open by one of the administrators to install and uninstall stuff. I am very conservative, but I am a "power user" and cannot stand taking 5 minutes to do something when it can take 1 minute. I can get my charting finished with more detail in less time than anyone I know in the organization.
The Citrix ICA client server is highly secured, with a rotating password/secure code on a synchronized keyfob we all carry. No worries there.