bg info with a desktop from group policy

[Guest]

got a little issue you guys might be able to help with

we are using bg info to show the logged in user and pc name on all desktops

the desktop are shared from server and given out via GP

the 2 problems i have ran into are that the desktop from GP overwrites the bg info one so you dont see the bg info stuff

the other problem is we disable the C drive for students so they dont have permissions to write to the wallpaper anyway.

i have tried using a gif and a jpg, im trying NOT to use a bmp due to the size,

1 way is to set a local wallpaper on all pcs, but thats hard work on 900+ pcs.

any ideas?

[strawberry]

we use java to show these details on an html page, would that be any use?

[Guest]

thanks ill certainly take a look at it but we have setup bg info on most pcs now just got to get the desktop toshow somehow

[ChrisH]

I run it as a logon script with no problems.

[kearton]

I've set our BGInfo to save to the users home areas. Gets around the locked C: problem

[Guest]

I've set our BGInfo to save to the users home areas. Gets around the locked C: problem

thanks that may help though havnt the little blighters tried to edit it?

[ChrisH]

I've set our BGInfo to save to the users home areas. Gets around the locked C: problem

thanks that may help though havnt the little blighters tried to edit it?

 

Maybe put it somewhere obscure and maybe hidden?

[kearton]

thanks that may help though havnt the little blighters tried to edit it?

Not yet. But even if they do it will be overwritten the next time they login.

[strawberry]

below is the js i use in a webpage

 

var WshNetwork = new ActiveXObject( "WScript.Network" );

document.write( "Computer Name = " + WshNetwork.ComputerName );

document.write( " ");

document.write( "Username = " + WshNetwork.username );

[maniac]

Get BGinfo to save the wallpaper to the users TEMP directory, this works without fail. Also insted of choosing the option to use the current wallpaper and add the info to it, set the wallpaper you want to use as one of BGinfos options, and disable any settings relating to wallpaper in group policy. This works a treat for us.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike.

[AlexB]

Add BGinfo to the startup folder or at the end of the login script with /timer:0 at the end, causes the machine to load the settings without displaying the config screen

[Guest]

thanks Mike

i think thats just the ticket

[FN-GM]

you know BG info does it show the information on the login screen, will make it easier identifying machines on KVM's

[plock]

you know BG info does it show the information on the login screen, will make it easier identifying machines on KVM's

 

I've not managed to have is run on the login screen; I feel this is because it's collecting account information on login.

 

I've not researched extensively; I was going to give putting it in the startup script ago to see what happens.

[FN-GM]

ok thanks anyway

[RichardDS]

running BGInfo in startup script works well, I run this on all workstation (Servers have their own one).

 

Command Line used:

bginfo.exe CNCSWorkstations.bgi /timer:0 /silent /nolicprompt

cncsworkstations.zip

[plock]

Cheers, saved me doing the testing!!

[FN-GM]

@RichardDS how did you change the logon picture please?

[john]

I see Richards been attacking Gina

 

and FN-G, easiest solution on KVM, bright coloured background with the server name on below where the "this computer is logged on and locked" message goes works well. Or just get a KVM that supports names as mine does.

[SYNACK]

@FN-Greatermanchester - BGInfo can alter the default login wallpaper to make KVM use easier, you just run it in GUI mode and click on the "Desktops..." button you can then select which desktop to apply the background to. You could also use the above command lines and add the /all switch to them which will apply the background to all desktops(user, login, terminal services login)

[Osprey]

We use the security settings on group policies to change the security of the bginfo.bmp so that auth users can change the bitmap.

[Arcolite]

I'm having a bit of bother with this.

 

It works and looks fantastic. But once deployed, it doesn't always appear for users.

 

I've created a MSI which deploys the .exe my config and a wallpaper to a folder on the C Drive.

 

I've then got a startup batch file that runs the .exe (as a Startup via GPO)

 

"C:\HABSBOYS\BGInfo\bginfo.exe" "C:\HABSBOYS\BGInfo\HABSBOYS.bgi" /timer:0 /silent /nolicprompt

 

Is there anything wrong with that?

[zag]

I'm having a bit of bother with this.

 

It works and looks fantastic. But once deployed, it doesn't always appear for users.

 

I've created a MSI which deploys the .exe my config and a wallpaper to a folder on the C Drive.

 

I've then got a startup batch file that runs the .exe (as a Startup via GPO)

 

"C:\HABSBOYS\BGInfo\bginfo.exe" "C:\HABSBOYS\BGInfo\HABSBOYS.bgi" /timer:0 /silent /nolicprompt

 

Is there anything wrong with that?

 

You could try running it from a network share?

[Arcolite]

It works from it's current location, I can see everything I have set on the login screen, but when I log in as a user, I get nothing but the usual Blue Desktop.

[SYNACK]

It works from it's current location, I can see everything I have set on the login screen, but when I log in as a user, I get nothing but the usual Blue Desktop.

 

You need to add the /all switch to the end of your command as this is what applies it to the login, default user and terminal services background as well. Your current command will only apply it to the active user desktop. probably the login background as that is the user that has context at startup. You also want to make sure that there is not anything in Group policy that specifies a background that is over-riding your BG on a user basis.