BatchFile

Methinks I'm going to install this on the spare SIMS system first (I have 2 SIMS servers for this reason). http://dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/000000/40000/4000/400/44417/44417.strip.sunday.gif

Put the wallpaper somewhere accessible (create a share on a server just for that if you must), I'd set the security to everyone:read set the gpo as demonstrated by Alan-D above ensure the gpo is linked to the right user group(s) run gpupdate /force from a workstation and allow it to reboot at the end if it wants to log in as one of the users you set it to work on That WILL work - unless there's another gpo somewhere blattering it - best check the other gpo's just in case to make sure there's no wallpaper set in any of them. Edit: oh oh oh if you have more than one DC make sure the replication's working too!

I think it jusk kept getting pushed back in the queue by more urgent stuff... I could be wrong!

I'm voting for it too - don't hold your breath though - this same CR came through several times when I worked for Capita

Agreed - but it's not just HP - it's always amazed me that printer manufacturers invest thousands in developing a machine that will put a speck of toner on a piece of paper accurately to within a fraction of a millimeter, then release software and drivers so crap they prevent it from being used to it's best advantage:mad: Epson seem RELATIVELY good at the moment, but IMHO their software is nowhere near the quality of their hardware.

I looked at it this way: It's too hot in here - whatever I get it will be cooler - more output will be EVEN cooler! I got mine from here: Portable Air Conditioning Units From Aircon Direct

In that case... they should be fine! Many thanks

Thankyou all, I think it's fixed now I did need the admx files and to install GPMC.msc on a vista PC (guide here: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows-vista/3706-vista-w2k3-domain.html) but as SP1 took away the admin tools, I also needed to install them again first (Installing GPMC on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 | Vista Home). Once that was done, I ran GPMC.msc and found reasons for all sorts of annoyances that had been surfacing on the Vista workstations, and certainly stopped the troubles offline files were causing. Now that's what I call a day's work, no more silly green circles with arrows in them

I was afraid it might come to that

It's not "high contrast" mode is it? Black, purple and light green? IIRC you can switch that on on the logon screen before you log in

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there - just testing now Almost that's spot on for the XP machines... now is anyone going to tell me why it doesn't work for Vista?? That's a damn good point too, the backup server can be a bit slow witted - It has definately updated since the policy was written originally but I'll make sure my tweaks this morning have replicated On this occasion, I can confirm that FRS does appear to be working correctly. But good call!

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there - just testing now That's a damn good point too, the backup server can be a bit slow witted - It has definately updated since the policy was written originally but I'll make sure my tweaks this morning have replicated

Thanks both It's been there a good while, like at least a few months. I did just gpupdate /force, just in case, but no cigar You mean in the "caching" button? I Just checked that and one of them was set to be available offline, so I've fixed it (and logged out and in again) and the little "sync" arrows are still there I just want to turn it off, everywhere, forever!

Sorry I should have said it's "vanilla" Server 2003 and XP SP2/3 and Vista workstations:drunken_smilie:

This nearly went behind the red door as it's driving me nuts, but I decided to put it here so that I can thank anyone kind enough to help properly. Ok, breathe.... What do I need to do, in group policy, to finally turn off ALL offline files and synchronisation EVERYWHERE?! If a network connection's not available, for whatever reason, I want the user to get a message saying that something's gone wrong, like in the good old days, so they know they need to do something, rather than windows (XP and Vista) pretending to have saved it ok before losing the work when the user's roaming profile doesn't save properly either! I've attached a screenshot of the GPO concerned - can someone please tell me why the i'm still seeing little "synchronisation" icons all over the place, it's supposed to be turned off for sake! any help greatly appreciated, many thanks

If it's the same "undocumented feature" as I encounter here - Yes you can! - it's pretty perculiar. Then, when it gets to the 16-bit bit at the end you have to change the path back to s:\sims\setups - it prompts you because that bit of installer is from windows 3.1 so doesn't understand the UNC path:bored:

don't ask me why (though if anyone wants to tell my why....) but when you run simsinst on vista you have to put the unc path to the setups folder rather than S:\sims\setups. it works then. at least it does here! Also, when you have got it installed, remember to relax the security on c:\program files\sims\sims .net to allow connect.ini to update correctly the first time it's run Apart from that, it's pretty straightforward

Anyone got any experience of the performance of an Intel Atom for day to day stuff?

I'm thinking of getting ten of these: Arianet Low Power Intel Atom Mini PC System - Aria Technology for use in the library at school. Up there the PCs are used for MS office and web browsing (and I'd install XP rather than Vista!). Do you reckon they'd be up to the job? I was looking at some Dell small form factor PCs, but these are like half the price...

Two Epson C1100(N)s ! I know they have their critics but we find them to be great (disposable) workhorses in the computer rooms - at £150 each with remanufactured toners available cheaply they're great value for money

Thanks for the suggestions - I got round to trying it this morning. Ubuntu succeded where windows failed as in it detects it as a device that contains photos, and suggests a program for opening it up, but gets no further. The properties page shows 0 free space and 0 space used. Methinks it's goosed btw, our science-teaching Head fired it yesterday anyway, even without the camera working, just for a laugh:D

This thread may be of some interest: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/how-do-you-do/29479-m-academic-licensing-school-agreement-not.html I've decided to stay with it for now - I haven't got time to set up thin clients this year anyway

As it happens I've got a ubuntu box doing nothing (just dipping my toe in the water and having a play when I had a spare 5 mins)... never thought of that! You mean just plug it in and see what happens? or do I need to do something else first?

I did, and that seemed to go fine; then when I plugged it in, the trouble started.

Probably :rolleyes: