How to Create Non-XML (TXT) Versions of ActiveHome Pro Reports
Oldtimer
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I haven't used this trick in years, and never in XP, so I just tried it and it worked! I hope I can explain it clearly. By the way, this trick works on all kinds of files that have proprietary formats but are read by display programs with a print capability.
- 1.) First go into Control Panel and select Printers.
. - 2.) Next start the Wizard to add a New Printer. The port for the printer will be "File". It doesn't need to be shared. The brand name will be "Generic" and the model number will be "Text Only".
. - 3.) Before you display the Activity Monitor, make your Generic/Text Only printer the Default printer. This is necessary because the Print Function in the Activity Monitor display automatically prints to the default printer.
. - 4.) Select Print and you will be prompted for a File Name. Enter it and finish printing.
This will produce an ASCII file on your desktop (I have no idea why it's on the desktop). If you check the properties of this file, you'll find out where XP actually put it. Once you have it located, open the file in Wordpad and you will see a very neat text display of the data in the Activity Monitor. For sophisticated analysis bring the file into your word processor or your spread sheet program.
I've attached a sample 'Activitiy Monitor Text File' that was generated using the XP Generic Text Printer. It will open in Notepad, but looks better in Wordpad.
Good luck!
[TTA Edit: Re-formatted into a LIST; Combined posts; Added 'Sample' attachment]