Deploying and running BGinfo through group policy (500pts)

You'll probably need to convert your exe file to an msi file for distribution using a GPO. Since bginfo.exe isn't really an installer but the actual program, I don't know how that will work. You can try this exe to msi converter:
http://juice.altiris.com/download/1355/exe-to-msi

The other option is to use a script in a GPO to copy the file to their local workstations and to add a shortcut to their startup folder.

01.22.2008 at 09:02AM PST, ID: 20715960

Rank: Genius

You should not need to have to run this with administrative rights.
In the bgi file, make sure the location of the file is *not* the default system32 folder, but a user specific folder (I'd recommend Application Data).
Leave out the /all as well and run bginfo simply as logon script.
Then all you have to do is copy bginfo.exe and bginfo.bgi into the netlogon folder, and use the following command as logon script in a GPO:
Script to run: %Logonserver%\netlogon\bginfo.exe
Arguments: %Logonserver%\netlogon\file.bgi /taskbar /silent /nolicprompt

01.22.2008 at 10:16AM PST, ID: 20716561

oBdA: I understand what your saying but I dont get the last to lines. Can clarify?

Script to run: %Logonserver%\netlogon\bginfo.exe
Arguments: %Logonserver%\netlogon\file.bgi /taskbar /silent /nolicprompt

01.22.2008 at 10:56AM PST, ID: 20717058

Rank: Genius

Create or change a GPO linked to the OU in which the users are that should run bginfo during logon, and assign a logon script:
Overview of Logon, Logoff, Startup, and Shutdown Scripts in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/198642

The "script" to run can be an exe file as well (your bginfo.exe), and it can run from a network share (%Logonserver%\netlogon; use it exactly like this, it will expand to the server that authenticated the user). The netlogon share is usually physically located in %Systemroot%\sysvol\sysvol\your.domain.name\scripts, or enter %Logonserver%\netlogon into the run menu.
The arguments to use for the "script" are the ones from above.

Accepted Solution

01.22.2008 at 11:07AM PST, ID: 20717176

Ok I see what you mean now. I went into the logon script and instead of the Arguments field I had the parameters field. Thats the same thing right?

Then I can just past the two in there and be good to go?

01.22.2008 at 11:11AM PST, ID: 20717216

Rank: Genius

Yes and yes.

01.22.2008 at 12:47PM PST, ID: 20718153

Ok well I tried what you suggested. Create a new ou for testing this. Put myself into the ou and the created a single group policy with the logon script as you stated. I placed the two files into the netlogon folder. Once everything was set I ran 2 gpupdates and was told that some stuff can only be done at logon.

I thought this was good and everything was working until I shut down and restarted. I got to the ctrl alt del screen and put my password in. However at this point my system got hung up or at least looked like it. It got stuck in the blue screen before the start menu appeared. I waited 5 minutes and it wouldnt move. I had to shut down remove mysefl from the test ou, remove the gpo, and then finally was able to log in correctly.

It didnt like something about that logon script. The exe file is minimal in size under 500k so it should not cause a hang like that at all.

Any idea?

01.22.2008 at 01:13PM PST, ID: 20718397

Rank: Master

copy and paste the logon script you used so we can see it.

Have you tested the logon script with the run prompt or command prompt? Does it work there?

Assisted Solution

01.22.2008 at 01:37PM PST, ID: 20718646

Basically I did it excalty like oBdA posted.

Script to run: %Logonserver%\netlogon\bginfo.exe
Arguments: %Logonserver%\netlogon\file.bgi /taskbar /silent /nolicprompt

Those were put into the two boxes available in the logon script window.

01.22.2008 at 01:40PM PST, ID: 20718681

Rank: Master

try running the following from the command prompt:

%logonserver%\netlogon\bginfo.exe %logonserver%\netlogon\file.bgi /taskbar /silent /nolicprompt

(all on one line)

If it works, create a file called bginfo.bat in the netlogon folder with the following line in it. Then change your script to be %logonserver%\netlogon\bginfo.bat instead of bginfo.exe. No arguments.

01.22.2008 at 02:50PM PST, ID: 20719286

Rank: Genius

Check the application event log for Event ID 100, Source UserInit at the time you tried to log on, it might report an error.
There's a 10 minute timeout for logon scripts which can be reconfigured in a policy (don't know where out of the top of my head, and can't check it at the moment).

For testing, try it with these arguments only:
%logonserver%\netlogon\file.bgi /timer:0 /nolicprompt
This should create a background image according to the configuration of the bgi file.

01.23.2008 at 11:55AM PST, ID: 20726895

Ok two things here

Victornegri: The method you described seems to work however it leaves the command prompt window on the screen until the user manually clicks out of it.

oBdA: There are no error logs in the machine. I will have to try the group policy portion of this at a later time.

01.23.2008 at 12:13PM PST, ID: 20727070

Rank: Master

put an "exit" on a separate line at the end of the batch file.

01.23.2008 at 12:14PM PST, ID: 20727083

Rank: Master

wait... try "call %logonserver%\netlogon\bginfo.exe %logonserver%\netlogon\file.bgi /taskbar /silent /nolicprompt" (with the command "call" at the beginning). Most likely it's staying open because it's waiting for bginfo to finish processing. It's never going to finish processing because it's a TSR.

01.24.2008 at 09:04AM PST, ID: 20734826

Tried the method you mentioned with CALL and the command prompt still stayed open and on the screen.

01.24.2008 at 09:06AM PST, ID: 20734868

If i try it with START rather than CALL in the batch script the window will disappear when I double click the bat file. However when I try to run the batch using the START logon script it doesnt work.

01.24.2008 at 09:29AM PST, ID: 20735111

Rank: Master

Try putting 2 "exit"s at the end of the batch file.

It states it on this website about the call function:
http://www.computerhope.com/call.htm

01.25.2008 at 12:17PM PST, ID: 20745959

Rank: Genius