Cannot execute Windows commands via Python in 64-bit

[nsjmetzger at gmail.com (minitotoro)]

On May 2, 4:15 pm, minitotoro <nsjmetz... at gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 2, 3:46 pm, Larry Bates <larry.ba... at websafe.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > minitotoro wrote:
> > > On May 2, 3:07 pm, Larry Bates <larry.ba... at websafe.com> wrote:
> > >> nsjmetz... at gmail.com wrote:
> > >>> I have a script that runs fine in Windows 2003 (32-bit). It basically
> > >>> calls the Windows defrag command. When I try the exact same code on
> > >>> Windows 2003 (64-bit) I get the following message:
> > >>>  C:\Scripts>autodefrag.py
> > >>> Starting defragment:  defrag -v C: >>c:/Scripts/DEFRAG20070502.log
> > >>> 'defrag' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
> > >>> operable program or batch file.
> > >>> I have tried defrag.exe and even giving it the full path to
> > >>> defrag.exe. Always the same result. Here is the python code that is
> > >>> generating this error:
> > >>> cmd = "defrag -v C: >>c:/Scripts/DEFRAG20070502.log"
> > >>> print "Starting defragment: ", cmd
> > >>> errorlevel = os.system(cmd)
> > >>> Anyone know what the heck is going on and how to fix it? This code
> > >>> works fine on my 32-bit windows machines.
> > >>> Thanks.
> > >> Sounds like system can't find defrag.  Usually this is because of a path
> > >> issue.  Are you running the script in the foreground or scheduled?  Can
> > >> you open a command prompt and enter the command and have it work?  If
> > >> you give full path, this shouldn't be the problem.
>
> > >> -Larry
>
> > > I have tried foreground and scheduled (neither works). I can run
> > > defrag from the command prompt with no problem. If I give it the full
> > > path in the script it still fails. I am completely befuddled. Help.
>
> > Copy and paste the traceback here for us.
>
> > -Larry
>
> I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with traceback. How do I use it?
> Thanks.

Upon further investigation it turned out to be a windohs 64-bit issue
(which is what I was afraid of). I did however find an asinine work
around.

Make a copy of defrag.exe from the system32 folder and paste it in the
same directory as the python script. Voila! It now works. Piece of
junk windohs... :-S