How can I start a windows programe in Windows XP (MS Money 2004) with
the caps lock turned on then have it turn off again when I exit the
programme. I wanted to avoid having to install yet another programe
that runs in the background taking up resources. Some sort of batch
file would be ideal.

suprascapular-ga:

The answer to your question has two steps. First, you need to download
any one of the many little freeware utilities available to toggle caps
lock, num lock, etc. The key is to find one that is written for 32-bit
operating systems such as Windows XP. Here's one that I would suggest:

http://www.grabler.de/software/lockkeys/lockkeys.htm

Download the Locks32.exe self-extracting archive, put it in a new
folder somewhere on your hard drive, then run it to extract the
individual command programs.

In the extracted files, you will find "CAPS32_0.EXE" and
"CAPS32_1.EXE". These two programs will, respectively, turn OFF and ON
your CapsLock.

Now, using Notepad, create a batch file with basically three lines.
Let's say that you created a new folder in C:\ called TOGGLE, and
extracted the commands into that new folder. And, let's say that your
MS Money 2004 is installed as "C:\Program Files\Microsoft
Money\System\MSMoney.exe". In this case, your batch file would contain
the following three lines:

 C:\TOGGLE\CAPS32_1.EXE
 "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\MSMoney.exe"
 C:\TOGGLE\CAPS32_0.EXE

Save this batch file as MSMONEY.BAT, and place it in a folder where
you will remember it.

Now, in Windows Explorer, navigate to that folder (where you put the
batch file), and double-click on the batch file. You should see a
command window appear briefly, then MS Money 2004 should open in the
foreground with the CAPS LOCK active. When you are done in MS Money
2004 and exit it, the CAPS LOCK should be deactivated, and the command
window will close.

You can place a shortcut to this batch file on your desktop simply by
right-clicking on the batch file in Windows Explorer and selecting
"Create Shortcut", then drag the shortcut to your desktop. If you wish
to change the icon to the MS Money 2004 icon, right-click on the
shortcut, and select Properties. Next, on the General tab, click the
Change Icon button. The system will inform you that the batch file
does not contain any icons of its own; that's ok. Browse to wherever
your MS Money 2004 program is (most likely C:\Program Files\Microsoft
Money\System\MSMONEY.EXE) and select one of its icons, then click OK
until you are back at the desktop.

Please let me know if this works as you desire!

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Fantastic. i didnt know you could start a windows program from a DOS
batch file like that.

Hi suprascaplular,

Here is a way to set your num, scroll, and caps locks at boot.

Set Keyboard Status at Boot (num lock, scroll lock, caps lock):
http://www.pcnet-online.com/content/general/xptweaks.htm

Regards,
hummer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;151715

I hope this helps. :)