BGInfo on logon screen

[Ric_]

Does anybody use BGInfo to display a computer's details at the logon screen? I would like to do this so that I can check that machine has got the right name and has picked up its IP address without having to log in. I just can't figure out a way to easily set it up

[Netman]

From memory there is a resource kit tool called srvany.exe which allows you to run applications as a windows service. Presumably this is what you need to do to get it run at boot without anyone logging in...
Will try and have a play later if I get time...

[mark]

Wot a good idea! If the prog is installed locally wouldnt you just have to set the wallpaper??

[Netman]

Scratch my earlier thought - all you do is run it as a scheduled task, telling it to run at startup and use the switch /all with the executable. Specify a user account to run it under (I used local administrator to test which works fine). Then under bhinfo configuration click desktops and set logon desktop for console clients and logon desktop for terminal servs (if needed) to "update this wallpaper" and bobs yer uncle.... it's all in the BHInfo help file.
Thanks Ric_ good tool with plenty of useful options too...

[Geoff]

Does anybody use BGInfo to display a computer's details at the logon screen? I would like to do this so that I can check that machine has got the right name and has picked up its IP address without having to log in. I just can't figure out a way to easily set it up

Put the BGInfo.exe and the BGI file you want to use someplace sensible (I put it in the netlogon share. Then all you need to do is run it from the Default GPO in the Startup Scripts bit.

[mac_shinobi]

If he puts that exe and BGI file into the startup scripts section then how will that help with regards to him getting the info without logging in ? because he said :

"so that I can check that machine has got the right name and has picked up its IP address without having to log in"

???????????????

Maybe I am missing something here lol

[Ric_]

If he puts that exe and BGI file into the startup scripts section then how will that help with regards to him getting the info without logging in ? because he said :

"so that I can check that machine has got the right name and has picked up its IP address without having to log in"

???????????????

Maybe I am missing something here lol

I was having a lazy day and couldn't be bothered using my brain... I expect that using a startup script will allow the program to run since it will run with 'system-level' priviledges and it will then update the automagically generated wallpaper.

[mac_shinobi]

couldnt you just use this register edit here :

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/103/

and point it to the bitmap that bginfo creates ??

[Geoff]

No, you can set which 'desktop' BGInfo alters in the BGI file. Just set it to the 'logon' desktop and you will get the results you want.

[SpuffMonkey]

No, you can set which 'desktop' BGInfo alters in the BGI file. Just set it to the 'logon' desktop and you will get the results you want.

I know this was a long time ago Geoff - I did this in the summer - really useful to see the PC ID and IP addy etc - but the kids are resetting the backdrop with "inappropriate" pictures - is it possible to use BGInfo, but have its backdrop set so it can't be altered??

Cheers

[Geoff]

Only allow 'Domain Computers' access to the BGInfo files.

[SpuffMonkey]

Only allow 'Domain Computers' access to the BGInfo files.

Sorry - I meant they are resetting the wallpaper on the local PC after the login script sets the Bginfo wallpaper - so bginfo runs successfully and the wallpaper is set - then the kids use IE or whatever to set their own wallpaper for the duration of their login session. I used to set the wallpaper in GPO via Active Desktop - so that it couldn't be changed - but couldn't see how you can do it using bginfo as if you set the Active Desktop wallpaper - it can't be overridden by bginfo?? Or am I completely mistaken?

[Geoff]

Ok, the way i use BGInfo is as follows:

I run it in the machine startup script with my 'login.bgi' settings. This sets up the login desktop. (Ctl-Alt-Del Screen).

I set the per user desktop wallpaper in GPOs. I don't use BGInfo for user desktops at all.

then the kids use IE or whatever to set their own wallpaper for the duration of their login session

This problem cannot be solved effectively by technical means. Kids mucking about is a social/policy problem.

[plexer]

If you can use bginfo to set the kids login screens you could run it from a script on startup that reruns bginfo every 10 minutes or so. I used to do that at the previous school and it was great to hear the moans of dissapointment every 10 minutes as their wallpaper was changed.

Ben

[SpuffMonkey]

Ok, the way i use BGInfo is as follows:

I run it in the machine startup script with my 'login.bgi' settings. This sets up the login desktop. (Ctl-Alt-Del Screen).

I set the per user desktop wallpaper in GPOs. I don't use BGInfo for user desktops at all.

Ah - right - I thought you did - its handy because it easily displays who they are logged in as and also the PC ID if they need remote assistance - so I would've liked to have used it in that way.