Group Policy Server 2008 R2 - Desktop Wallpaper XP Clients

[Aqua]

Hi and thanks in advance for any assistance with this issue. I am new to Group Policy and am very much in the beginners learning group in this respect. I would like to apply a desktop background to a specific Classroom set of XP Pro computers. I have copied the jpg file to the local c:\windows\web\wallpaper folder (I believe using the server UNC path is not a good idea as the image is copied across the network on each logon and increases traffic greatly) and referenced this in the GPO applicable to this OU. However, the wallpaper never appears. I have logged off and restarted numerous times and run gpupdate to no avail. If I try and right click on the desktop and select properties it tells me that restrictions are in place so I cannot do anything. I know I have missed something but don't know what - all help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. PS. I have only just joined the school and there are absolutely no network docs so I am working in the dark somewhat - but like the challenge 8-)

[sonofsanta]

Off the top of my head: users may not have access to the local folder. Easy as it is to say, Event Viewer will give you clues.

 

Better way: use BGInfo . Set a background, add some details to be displayed, save as a .bgi file and run bginfo.exe filename.bgi /timer:0 /NOLICPROMPT /SILENT as a logon script.

[Aqua]

Thank you, I am logged in as one of the users and they have access to the folder and can see the jpg no problem. I am unable to get Event Viewer as logged in user has no access to control panel and the access is also blocked from the Run command. I like the idea of bginfo and might explore this, but have I failed at the first hurdle at trying to get to grips with Group Policy.

[Aqua]

have just enabled User Configuration> Administrative Templates> Desktop> Active Desktop> Active Desktop Wallpaper in the group policy and when the user logs in the wallpaper tries to load (appears for a millisecond) and then disappears - very frustrating.

[sonofsanta]

Thank you, I am logged in as one of the users and they have access to the folder and can see the jpg no problem. I am unable to get Event Viewer as logged in user has no access to control panel and the access is also blocked from the Run command. I like the idea of bginfo and might explore this, but have I failed at the first hurdle at trying to get to grips with Group Policy.

 

You don't need to view Event Viewer as the logged in user - either log in as admin and view it, or log into another machine as admin and connect remotely (firewall allowing)

 

You could also run rsop.msc on that machine (as admin) and view the Resultant Set of Policy, to make sure it is applying, or type gpresult at a command prompt to see if it is listed.

[themightymrp]

Set the wallpaper in User config --> Admin templates --> Desktop --> Desktop --> Desktop Wallpaper

 

Active desktop was removed with IE7 or IE8 I think

[Aqua]

Set the wallpaper in User config --> Admin templates --> Desktop --> Desktop --> Desktop Wallpaper

 

Active desktop was removed with IE7 or IE8 I think

Thank you. I have this part enabled already with the wallpaper referenced on the local c:\ drive of the laptop.

[Aqua]

You don't need to view Event Viewer as the logged in user - either log in as admin and view it, or log into another machine as admin and connect remotely (firewall allowing)

 

You could also run rsop.msc on that machine (as admin) and view the Resultant Set of Policy, to make sure it is applying, or type gpresult at a command prompt to see if it is listed.

OK, thank you will do that and see what the results are.

[Aqua]

gpresult shows all the correct group policies applicable but I cannot see anything in rsop.msc that mentions the wallpaper! Event viewer does not show anything relating to the wallpaper, although it does show a load of folder re-direction errors (configured before me I hasten to add).