3

When i run the Powershell script below i receive the error below. How do i run programs through powershell with parameters? The script will be a group policy logon.

Invoke-Expression : A positional parameter cannot be found that accepts argument '\TBHSERVER\NETLOGON\BGInfo\BGIFILE.bgi /timer:0 /s ilent /nolicprompt '. At X:\Systems\scripts\PowerShell\UpdateDesktopWithBGInfo.ps1:6 char:18 + Invoke-Expression <<<< $logonpath $ArguList + CategoryInfo : InvalidArgument: (:) [Invoke-Expression], ParameterBindingException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : PositionalParameterNotFound,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.InvokeExpressionCommand

$LogonPath = $env:LOGONSERVER + "\NETLOGON\BGInfo\Bginfo.exe" 
$ArguList = $env:LOGONSERVER + '\NETLOGON\BGInfo\BGIFILE.bgi /timer:0 /silent /nolicprompt '
invoke-command $LogonPath
Invoke-Expression $logonpath $ArguList
resolver101
  • 2,155
  • 11
  • 41
  • 53

2 Answers2

7

Invoke-Command is best suited for running commands remotely. As Shay points out you can use the ampersand & to tell PowerShell to execute something locally just like the cmd.exe shell.

In order to make Invoke-Command work you would need to do something like this:

$program = "C:\windows\system32\ping.exe"
$programArgs = "localhost", "-n", 1
Invoke-Command -ScriptBlock { & $program $programArgs }

Notice the use of the the ampersand in the script block. So if you are running a command locally just use the ampersand as Shay's example shows.

Andy Arismendi
  • 50,577
  • 16
  • 107
  • 124
  • Thanks for the info. Im learning powershell so all the information im soking up all the info you guys can throw at me :-) – resolver101 Jan 16 '12 at 16:00
5

Try this:

& "\\$env:LOGONSERVER\NETLOGON\BGInfo\Bginfo.exe" "\\$env:LOGONSERVER\NETLOGON\BGInfo\BGIFILE.bgi" /timer:0 /silent /nolicprompt

If the BGIFILE.bgi reside in the same location as Bginfo.exe then you can specify only the file name:

& "\\$env:LOGONSERVER\NETLOGON\BGInfo\Bginfo.exe" BGIFILE.bgi /timer:0 /silent /nolicprompt
Shay Levy
  • 121,444
  • 32
  • 184
  • 206
  • Thanks, works a treat :-) I just needed to change the 2nd path to include a $envLogonserver, thought i would include the final command in-case anyone needs to run the same command. "& "$env:LOGONSERVER\NETLOGON\BGInfo\Bginfo.exe" "$env:LOGONSERVER\NETLOGON\BGInfo\default.bgi" /timer:0 /silent /nolicprompt" – resolver101 Jan 09 '12 at 17:08
  • 2
    @resolver101 - If it worked, you should Accept the answer. Click on the tick next to the answer. ( and work on accepting answers for your other questions) – manojlds Jan 09 '12 at 17:17
  • @resolver101 You can shorten the path if the .bgi file resides in the same location as bginfo.exe. I will update my answer – Shay Levy Jan 10 '12 at 07:24