Powershell Scheduled Task Open Web Page to Execute Script - asp.net

Question

In an effort to setup a "cron job" like scheduled task on Windows I've setup a Powershell script using code recommended via previous stackoverflow question.
I have some backups that I need to cleanup daily and delete old backups so I created a asp.net script to perform this task - the file name is BackupCleanup.aspx and I have confirmed that the ASP.net script does work when executed on its own by visiting the above url - I however cannot get it to execute using the Powershell script below.
The Powershell Script code I'm using is:
$request = [System.Net.WebRequest]::Create("http://127.0.0.1/BackupCleanup.aspx")
$response = $request.GetResponse()
$response.Close()
I have created this file with a PS1 extension, it shows properly in my os (Windows 2008) - I have tried both manually executing this task by right clicking and choosing "Run with Powershell" and also have scheduled this as a task - both to no avail.
I cannot figure out why the script does not work - any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Answer 1

Here is the Powershell script I use to call up web pages using IE. Hopefully this will work for you as well.
Function NavigateTo([string] $url, [int] $delayTime = 100)
{
Write-Verbose "Navigating to $url"
$global:ie.Navigate($url)
WaitForPage $delayTime
}
Function WaitForPage([int] $delayTime = 100)
{
$loaded = $false
while ($loaded -eq $false) {
[System.Threading.Thread]::Sleep($delayTime)
#If the browser is not busy, the page is loaded
if (-not $global:ie.Busy)
{
$loaded = $true
}
}
$global:doc = $global:ie.Document
}
Function SetElementValueByName($name, $value, [int] $position = 0) {
if ($global:doc -eq $null) {
Write-Error "Document is null"
break
}
$elements = #($global:doc.getElementsByName($name))
if ($elements.Count -ne 0) {
$elements[$position].Value = $value
}
else {
Write-Warning "Couldn't find any element with name ""$name"""
}
}
Function ClickElementById($id)
{
$element = $global:doc.getElementById($id)
if ($element -ne $null) {
$element.Click()
WaitForPage
}
else {
Write-Error "Couldn't find element with id ""$id"""
break
}
}
Function ClickElementByName($name, [int] $position = 0)
{
if ($global:doc -eq $null) {
Write-Error "Document is null"
break
}
$elements = #($global:doc.getElementsByName($name))
if ($elements.Count -ne 0) {
$elements[$position].Click()
WaitForPage
}
else {
Write-Error "Couldn't find element with name ""$name"" at position ""$position"""
break
}
}
Function ClickElementByTagName($name, [int] $position = 0)
{
if ($global:doc -eq $null) {
Write-Error "Document is null"
break
}
$elements = #($global:doc.getElementsByTagName($name))
if ($elements.Count -ne 0) {
$elements[$position].Click()
WaitForPage
}
else {
Write-Error "Couldn't find element with tag name ""$name"" at position ""$position"""
break
}
}
#Entry point
# Setup references to IE
$global:ie = New-Object -com "InternetExplorer.Application"
$global:ie.Navigate("about:blank")
$global:ie.visible = $true
# Call the page
NavigateTo "http://127.0.0.1/BackupCleanup.aspx"
# Release resources
$global:ie.Quit()
$global:ie = $null

Answer 2

I had the same issue. I manually opened powershell and executed my script and I received "WebPage.ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system.".
You have to allow scripts to run
Execute the below in PowerShell
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope LocalMachine