Audio Reminder?

[Grandpappy]

Morning All!
Is it possible to setup an audible reminder on my computer so as I'm working it will alert me to an event that is scheduled?
I've finally worked out how to schedule Acronis to do a backup for me, onto an external drive! But I need reminding to 'SWICH ON' the external drive,as it normally gets switched off after I've put something onto it.
I know this might seem silly, but after so many attempts to get Acronis doing what I want it to, I want to get into this habbit of weekly backups!

Any help,please?

[LeMarchand]

Do you have Office/Outlook? You can set alarms there. If not, what operating system? Searching for "free alarm XP" (for example) throws up some possibilities if all you want is an alarm.

[ACtheTROLL]

stop/starting hard disks isn't particularly good for them
the majority of the wear occurs when warming up and cooling down.

this is simple - and will run as long as the machine is switched on
only thing - you have to have a password set

first open a new text document
copy the following into it

echo.
echo.
echo.
echo ACRONIS WILL BE RUNNING SHORTLY
echo.
echo SWITCH YOUR HARD DRIVE ON YOU
echo.
echo FORGETFUL OLD DUFFER
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.

pause

save the file to c:\ ... and then rename it to backup.bat.

Vista
Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler

XP
start | all programs | Accessories | Sysyem Tools | scheduled tasks

open a new task
when you see a list of programs to chose - click browse
nav to c:\backup.bat
schedule WEEKLY (next)
set a time to run EVERY 7 DAYS

tick advanced properties
take the tick out of settings | power management | don't start the task

ok to the end .... job done

on the named date/time ... a window will open and deliver your message.

[Grandpappy]

Thanks for that ACthe TROLL-
It got a bit confusing with the password bit; 'cos I'm the ONLY user now and passwords are not needed! But it seems to be working with the test runs I gave it and thanks for the info. regarding the 'strain' applied to drives when starting & stopping ( I didn't know that.)
Anyway, thanks again
Cheers

PS. Now for the voice!!!

[ACtheTROLL]

firstly - to tidy the file up - add
echo off
at the the top line - the whole thing just looks nicer

missed the noise requirement
find yourself a suitable MP3 sound bite ....
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shut tle/sts-114/html/ndxpage1.html

(mine is called wakeup.mp3)

and add the name to the script
the full thing should now look like this


echo off
wakeup.mp3
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo ACRONIS WILL BE RUNNING SHORTLY
echo.
echo SWITCH YOUR HARD DRIVE ON YOU
echo.
echo FORGETFUL OLD DUFFER
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
pause

[ACtheTROLL]

of course you can change the message ;0