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Thanks for your help on this. I've read quite a few threads on this site, and one view is that local redirects are good because if the network goes down, the icons are still available. Also, when a user clicks on the start menu, windows does a scan of all the icons available. If it's on the network, then it scans the network share for the redirect folder icons. Lots of users at once gives the server a hit, and particularly on wireless, seems unneccesary. Anyway, thanks again- I'll add the script to a gpo startup script-- I take it this should be under the user section in the gpo, not the computer section? This way the script would run each time the user logs in? Cheers.

Hi, I am aiming to redirect the start menu and desktop to the local machine on our win2k server/xp pro client network. I have written a script that creates directories on the c: drive and copies the shortcut icons from the server. The script is called from the user logon batch file. It works fine when logging in as an administrator, but not as a student user. When it comes to do the copying, I get access denied. I take it this is because the logon script is run with the student user privilages, which doesn't allow writing to the c-drive. But how do I let the student user run this part of the script? The icons may change at anytime, and I need to make sure that each time the user logs in, they get the latest version of the startmenu/desktop. I don't really want to restart the computer for this to happen. Can I change the permission on the local shortcut folder easily and at runtime of the script? Below is the jist of the script (called seperately by logon.bat). Many thanks. rem rsync script to update local version of shorcuts folder rem create dir structure md c:\shortcuts md c:\shortcuts\studentstartmenu md c:\shortcuts\studentsdesktop Rem rsync studentstartmenu \\server\netlogon\robocopy.exe \\server\users\studentstartmenu c:\shortcuts\studentstartmenu /MIR Rem rsync studentstartmenu \\server\netlogon\robocopy.exe \\server\users\studentsdesktop c:\shortcuts\studentsdesktop /MIR \\server\netlogon\robocopy.exe \\server\Netlogon c:\shortcuts Bginfo.exe \\server\netlogon\robocopy.exe \\server\Netlogon c:\shortcuts\ bginfo.bgi

We have some Sony Hard disk cameras- but watch out, they record in mpg2 dvd format, which movie maker doesn't like. I've yet to find one that movie maker will like (except for avi files, which take up loads of space). Hopefully I can be proved wrong!

We use nircmd NirCmd - Freeware command-line tool , which runs in a login script to set the volume to mute on the laptops, and a normal level on desktop computers. Works great, and is free.

I use SyncBack SE as our backup software. The file server gets backed up onto several hard drives on the network (usb or shared drives), so I have a few copies around the school of the file server. What I want is for each backup drive to hold an exact copy of the file server files, and not have any old files on it. I.e. A full synchronise, which deletes files on the backup drives that are not on the file server any longer. Just to check- can anyone see any issues with having several backup drives being synced from the file server? They will be synced at different times, and the program will never delete or change any files from the server, only on the backup discs. Sorry, may seem obvious, but just want to get it right... Thanks

Hi, can anyone supply a quote for 2 possible systems: 8 of either: a) Win XP Pro desktop (can be downgrade) with 17inch TFT, 2gb ram, at least 160gbHD, at least 2.0GHz dual core. Small form factor would be nice. b) similar spec laptop (can compromise on processor for less money), but not a wide screen- 15in is fine. I don't like widescreen laptops... Looking for between £350-£400ono per system, inc monitor, ex vat. Thanks very much in advance.

Great, thanks for the replies. Just to check, the vga and dvi ports are direct from the motherboard (onboard), not a seperate graphics card. Does this make a difference? Thanks.

Hi, we have several Acer M464 desktop pcs, and use a vga splitter to send the output to both a monitor and projector (IWB). Sometimes I notice shadowing/poor quality on the monitor. The graphics card has a VGA and a DVi output. My question is, can I use both at the same time? I.e. put the VGA to the projector, and at the same time have the DVI to the monitor? Or is a powererd VGA splitter better? Thanks in advance!

Thanks for your reply Michael. I've put that in a login script. It works if I have a wav file saved on the desktop (i.e. it will then play in WMP). However, if I click on a link to a wav file on a webpage in IE7, it still loads up in QuickTime as shown in the attachment. I guess this is an IE7 thing? Or is there a way to remove an association from Quicktime? Thanks again.

Hi, tomorrow I need to get the children finding wav audio files on the internet. Having just logged into the school system remotely, I see that clicking on a wav link on a web page then loads up a new webpage with the QuickTime player bar. Annoyingly it also checks for an update, which can crash the browser. What I want to do is set it so that clicking on a wav link opens up Windows Media Player (in it's own programme window) and plays the file, leaving the original web page there, so not having to press the back button to get back to it. What's the easiest way to reset a file association so that clicking on a wav link opens up the file in WMP? I don't want to visit each machine, and ideally want to keep WMP. I can add some lines to a login script (just don't know what to add), or do something via gpo, or alternatives welcome. Many thanks!

Hi, does anyone have any experience / reviews about these products? I'm looking at getting one in the next few days, to show simple powerpoints wireless to a projector (not video though ) Edimax WP-S1100 (Supports b/g/n wireless (so has the fastest wireless), although I can't seem to find a place that sells it yet- new product I think) Edimax WP-S1000 (older version, but is availble) Lindy 802.11g Wireless VGA Projector Server Thanks.

Hi, we have a new school hall, but the donuts who installed the cabling infrastructure only put 1 projector point at the front of the hall. At present, if we want to control the output to the projector (computer/dvd player) from the back of the hall, we would have to use a long vga cable, or use cat5 with a booster vga system. Does anyone recommend any sort of wireless adaptor we can connect to the projector, so that we can display presentations and control them from anywhere in the hall? Or a projector with wireless built in? I know video quality will be rubbish over wireless, but assuming it won't be needed for video. Are wireless projectors worth it? How do they work exactly? Are they improving? Note that there is also only 1 network point at the front of the hall, next to the 1 vga/rca point... Thanks in advance.

What about using software like Encrypted RunAs Wingnut Software ? You could point users to a batch file which can be run with administrator rights, but the password is encrypted.

Can you not install it via GPO? Or are the staff laptops not on the domain?

Thanks for that- wouldn't of thought of trying a powered usb hub! I suppose it's a case of go with your gut instinct- I originally was skeptical of buying Acer, but thought i'd try it anyway. The general support for Acer is rubbish, even on their own website... At least I only have to buy 6 usb hubs. Thanks again!

We have 6 brand new Smartboard 660i's connected to 6 Acer Veriton m464 Desktops. When the computer has been logged into Windows XP, the Smartboard works fine, no issues. However, if the computer is powered up with the S/B USB cable plugged in, the Acer computer halts at the bios 'Acer' screen, and doesn't continue (requires a holding down of the power button for anything to happen). If the USB cable is not plugged in when the computer is turned on, all things are ok! Any suggestions? Both Acer and S/B firmware and bios are the latest. Have tried a variety of USB ports on the Acer too. Thanks

Thanks. So does that mean forcing the access point to be G only is actually pointless, if a 'b' client is able to connect?

Is there any benefit of setting access points to using 'g' only, and not 'b'? I.e specifically enforcing g only? All our wireless laptops are fairly new, and support the newer 'g' band (not worried about older equipment!). Are there any negative consequences, particularly taking into consideration multiple laptops logging on at a time? This isn't a true managed wireless system, but I do try and manage it Thanks.

I am trying to find out more details regarding the installation of the underfloor heating. Will report back. Regards.

Hi, We have a new extension to our school with underfloor heating. There are 2 floors, 3 classrooms upstaris, 3 downstairs. Both levels have the underfloor heating. I notice that the wireless reception upstairs is poor when the access points are downstairs. Is this anything to do with the underfloor heating? The APs are setup the same way as the rest of the school, where the wireless strength and reception are generally very good. We have hp pro curve wireless boxes, xp clients, hp compaq wireless laptops, using Windows Zero configuration. Thanks for your advice!

I recommend using SyncBack SE (2BrightSparks | SyncBackSE | Features) Buy the pro version (still very cheap). Then buy a external usb drive as suggested. The software allows you to configure various backup options to various different machines. It's highly flexible, backups can be scheduled, and it has different options to mirror directories, keep them synced etc. It gives you good logs of what's been backup'd up, which gives you peace of mind. You can download a 30day trial to see if it suits your needs. Software is less than £40. I'm a network manager at a junior school (although I am a full time teacher ), and have found it to be a very workable solution. Once setup, I don't really have to check it very often. Also, I've bought 3 usb drives and put them in 3 seperate locations around the school. Only downer is that the computers attached have to be on for it to work.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I've reinstalled XP pro from scratch, not using the restore disks. So far so good. I have installed minimal HP drivers etc for the things I need to use (wireless, network, sound etc). Have restarted over and over again, all ok. The fan often runs, and the underside does get warm, but so far this doesn't seem to have crashed anything. Certainly no hotter than it was when it did crash. So my findings point to the HP software/default install programs being the issue (albeit not conclusively). SLightly reluctant to let this laptop out of my sight though Thanks again.

Thanks everyone. Ok, I've check the bios, it was up to date already. I cooled the laptop down using a fan before doing the things below: Tried to install the latest ati graphics driver in safe mode, didn't like not having latest version of .net. Rebooted into windows using vga mode. The HP software install process started at around 85% (it always does a bit then freezes). Again it went to a frozen grey screen at about 90%. Temp of underneath didn't seem too bad. I will try reinstalling an oem version of xp pro, see if that helps. Thanks again.

THanks- I've done a memtest, with no errors showing having done 1 pass. Having used the compaq recovery cds to restore xp back to it's initial state, I notice that when I log in as administrator, and it starts to run the software install process, this causes the screen to freeze. (i.e. when you get a new pc, and it installs all the crappy extra software once you are logged in). It can either be a blank light gray screen, or the purple and green lines as shown above. Does this shed any light on it? I'm tempted to reinstall xp pro from scratch, but I don't have a copy of xp pro (but obviously have a licence for it). Not sure if this would help though. Thanks again.

I have an HP Compaq NX6325 (XP Pro) laptop which has an issue. It loads up fine, and then usually after logging in, I get vertical purple and green lines on the screen, and the it freezes. I have to hold down the power button to shut it down. I have re-imaged the laptop, and also rebuilt it using the default HP cds. The laptop is outside of the warrentee period. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas? Screenshot attached. Thank you!