text: i need to start a program at a certain time and end it and another time? what software will allow me to do this in xp ? it must be able to end the program. i know of schedulers that start programs at certain times, but not end them. hopefully, this isn't something that you've already tried and been frustrated with, but... really, the scheduled tasks capability that is built into xp is great! if you've already tried it, then don't bother with this. but hopefully, this will work:  - in start, click control panel. - now if your control panel is in category view (you'll know it is if it has a blue bkground instead of white), then click 'performance and maintenance'. otherwise, just ignore this part and keep going with the next step. - click 'scheduled tasks' - now, open the 'add scheduled task' wizard that's at the top of the list. - 'next' button - if your app. is on the list, just select it. otherwise, 'browse' for it. - now whatever settings you need: daily, weekly, etc. note: if you want biweekly or something similar, then choose 'weekly' right now. - your exact schedule for the program. - enter the password, if you have one. if you don't, then don't worry about it. - check the box for advanced settings. - now if you didn't have a password, then it will bring up an error. just click 'ok' and we'll take care of it soon. - now in the properties box, you'll have to check 'run only if logged on', unless you have a password entered. - take a look at the schedule, make sure it's right -- you have a lot more settings available here than in the wizard. - and now, for stopping the program. under the 'settings' tab, make sure to check the box 'stop the task if it runs for...' and enter your time limit. sorry, i don't know how to make it end at a time on the clock, but since it starts at a specific time, you can effectively make it do that by setting the time limit.  does that work? i'd love to know.  much easier than writing a program -- let's not reinvent the wheel. :)