Windows Messenger for pop-ups in Print Manager Plus

[woody]

Hi,

I'm still plodding on with Print Manager plus and I have the end user tool working. But I have not been able to get the low credit or restrictions pop-ups to work. I have been told by technical support that I need to get windows messenger to work on both the server and the client. Here is the web page tech support emailed to me:

http://www.softwareshelf.co.uk/files...ew.asp?ID=2390

Can I get windows messenger to work in this capacity and at the same time restrict pupils from siging in and chating to each other? I know some of you use PMP and I would be interested to know how you got round this.

Thank!

[Geoff]

WinXP SP2 disables the Windows Messanger Service.
WinXP SP2 firewall blocks Windows Messanger Messages.
MS Antivirus disables the Windows Messanger Service.

If you use the SP2 firewall (I don't its fairly pointless for desktop machines on a LAN) then add exceptions to the group policy controlling the firewall settings.

[tarquel]

I quote from your link:

Ensure the Windows 'Messenger' service is enabled on both the Print Server and the Workstation.

That doesn't mean "Windows Messenger" of course, as that isnt a service lol but the "Messenger" service within Windows XP SP2 is disabled by default, so take a look at the service list first to make sure that it is running.

I've just noticed mine is disabled too [annoyingy] - i wonder, can services be enabled/disabled via GP anyone??

Cheers
N.

[woody]

Ah Ha

I was getting mixed up.

Will look at that

[indie]

I think you're getting mixed up between "Windows Messenger" and "MSN Messenger". Windows Messenger is used to send net send and Alerter service messages to machines, think winpop back in the NT days.

Like Geoff said, SP2 turns off the "Messenger" service by default, so go into services and turn it back on to automatic startup. Make sure it's running on both the Server and Clients, HTH!

[E1uSiV3]

i wonder, can services be enabled/disabled via GP anyone??
N.

Yes they can:

Computer Configuration->Windows Settings->Security Settings->System Services

You can define what to run, what not to run and what to leave up to the computer.

[Geoff]

Yes your quite right, the sevice is called 'Alerter' IIRC.

You could enable the service from a login script, eg

sc config servicename start= auto
net start servicename

[woody]

Thanks, started the messenger service on the print server and a client and the pop up worked.

Thanks too Geoff for the script. That will save us a lot of time!!!

[woody]

WinXP SP2 firewall blocks Windows Messanger Messages.
If you use the SP2 firewall (I don't its fairly pointless for desktop machines on a LAN) then add exceptions to the group policy controlling the firewall settings.

Any way to turn off the firewall remotely?

[Geoff]

Group policies. See here for info:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../wfsp2wgp.mspx

Alternatively you can use the command line tool 'netsh'

netsh firewall set opmode mode=DISABLE profile=ALL

[Ric_]

WinXP SP2 firewall blocks Windows Messanger Messages.
If you use the SP2 firewall (I don't its fairly pointless for desktop machines on a LAN) then add exceptions to the group policy controlling the firewall settings.

Any way to turn off the firewall remotely?

This casn be done using a GPO.

Administrative Templates\Network\Network Connections\Windows Firewall\Domain Profile

(Check the PolicySettings.xls file from MS for full info on each setting)

There is also a 'Standard Profile' section which you can configure to turn the firewall on when not connected to the domain.

[woody]

Thanks!