sleep/wake scheduler freeware Win98

Here's the set up. We have several systems with multiple Win98 machines (we'll call them slaves) and one machine that does the viewing of all the others. This Viewer also acts as a caretaker machine and periodically pings the slaves to make sure they are still operating. The pinging is done automatically using a freeware program that will flash a message on the screen of the Viewer if a ping is unsuccessful.

At a set time during the night the slaves are scheduled to re-boot but during the re-boot stage the Viewer will ping the slave and consequently get no reply and as such will display an error message.

So, what I'm looking for is a program (preferably freeware) that will hibernate, or shut down the ping program for about 1 hour at a set time then restart the ping program.....................Easy isn't it

 

You have a complete grasp of the big picture, but how do I schedule the ping thing not to ping and what do you mean by spoof?

 

Thanks xflat.......Yeah I'm ancient enough to remember DEC as well!

The program I am using is a bit of freeware called host monitor which will ping all the other machines and flash up a message (or run an exe, or play a sound) when a ping fails. The problem with it is it has no scheduling facilities.

Methinks I may try to find one with more bells and whistles rather than going down this rather clunky route.

Many thanks for your input though.