Yes,
Ping doesn't run with /n nor with shellexecute approach. I don't have an idea why it fails. If you have VC++, on MSDN check Q185726 and download PingCtrl.exe. It has project for an activex control. KB shows how to use it. If you don't have then I'll try to compile and send you the activex (not sure if it's legal when they didn't do already).
Cetin

>Hi Cetin
>
>What I am doing is
>
>run ping 192.1.35.123 -w 5000 > ping.res
>
>hd = fopen('ping.res')
>mline = fget(hd)
>mline = fget(hd)
>mline = fget(hd)
>mline = fget(hd)
>mline = fget(hd)
>mline = fget(hd)
>mline = fget(hd)
>if 'Reply from 192.1.35' $ mline
> mret = .t.
> else
> mret = .f.
>endif
>hd = fclose(hd)
>
>And based on the status of mret I am showing Red Light or Green Light.
>This works fine but the problem with this is that When this routin is
>run from a timer event it calls a dos window. Which is irritating.
>
>I tried what you had told previously to run commands in hide mode
>
>ShellExecute(0,'','ping','192.1.35.123 > ping.res','',SW_HIDE)
>
>But this doesn't work. Am I doing anything wrong in this.
>I also tryed run /N command but it also doesn't work.
>
>
>Pl. help
>
>Ashish Patel