Microsoft KB Archive/156762

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

PRB:Scenario Recorder Doesn't Record Keystrokes Entered at DOS
Last reviewed: March 11, 1997

Article ID: Q156762

4.00 4.00a WINDOWS 95 kbusage kbprb

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Visual Test 4.0, 4.0a
 * Windows 95

SYMPTOMS
The Scenario Recorder, a Visual Test Utility, does not record keystrokes entered at a Windows 95 MS-DOS Command Prompt Window. Playing back a script generated by the Scenario Recorder will not recreate the keystrokes entered during the recording session.

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching the problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION
The Scenario Recorder in Visual Test is used to record keyboard, mouse, and system control events in real time. Once recorded, the Scenario Recorder takes this information and generates a Visual Test script. The script is completely written in the Visual Test programming language. Running the script will reproduce all the actions recorded in the recording session.

When using the Scenario Recorder under Windows 95 to record keystrokes entered in an MS-DOS Command Prompt, the Scenario Recorder will not generate code for these keystrokes.

Although recording MS-DOS Window keystrokes does not work, you are able to modify the generated script to add PLAY statements to send the desired keys.

The recording problem only occurs under Windows 95. This problem does not occur under Windows NT 3.51 and Windows NT 4.0.

Steps to Reproduce Problem
  Start the Scenario Recorder from Visual Test: Use menu: TEST, sub menu: SCENARIO RECORDER  Enter a Scenario Name of your choice, then click OK to start the recording session.  Run the MS-DOS Command Prompt Window from the Start menu of your Windows 95 Desktop as follows: Select the Start button on the Taskbar on your DeskTop, select Programs, and then select MS-DOS Command Prompt.  Type some text in the MS-DOS Window at the Command Prompt. Stop the Scenario Recorder by clicking the button on the Taskbar labeled "Scenario Recorder." This will end the recording session. Click OK and the Scenario Recorder will create the script. Note the code that the Scenario Recorder has generated. The PLAY statements related to the key strokes you entered in step 4 do not get generated.