meade470
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Computer Information Displayed on Desktop
We are looking for a way to *neatly* display computer information (hostname and IP address) on the desktops of our 150+ users. We are running Win2K and WinXP. We are thinking of something along the lines of BGINFO's capabilities (see sysinternals site), plus we would like to be able to easily deploy it to all users through an msi or similar method. (We are having difficulty deploying BGINFO as an msi.) We would like users to have the ability to glance at their desktop and tell us what their computernames are so we can remotely access their PCs. (We want to avoid physically tagging computers.)
Suggestions? Anyone have a different solution to produce the same results?
Thanks a bunch!!!
Suggestions? Anyone have a different solution to produce the same results?
Thanks a bunch!!!
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i don't know if this would be possible to do, but if you run the above, and write the output to a html file, and then on the active desktop, display the html file ? it s just a theory, and i'm not too good at VB code, so i wouldn't be able to help you there. i just have a bunch of vbs scripts around here to help me do certain things with our network ..
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ASKER
Hey, thanks for all of the responses. Smallpygmy, what do these lines do?
copy /y %0\..\bginfo.exe c:\progra~1\bginfo\bginfo.
copy /y %0\..\config.bgi c:\progra~1\bginfo\config.
copy /y %0\..\bginfo.exe c:\progra~1\bginfo\bginfo.
copy /y %0\..\config.bgi c:\progra~1\bginfo\config.
ASKER
BTW, what is config.bgi and where would I find it?
the config.bgi is the file generated when you run bginfo.exe and choose Save As... you can call it anything you like.
The copy lines are there to copy the bginfo.exe and config file over to the target computer on startup (in case the files aren't there already.) In our organisation the files are being copied over from the Domain Controller's sysvol folder but you could copy it from any computer on the network. I'm not sure of the reason behind the %0\..\ part as the script is running from within the same folder as the files. i'll check with the person who actually wrote the script tomorrow when i'm back at work.
you could also change the copy lines to:
copy /y \\server\share\bginfo.exe etc...
The two batch files in my last post are the actual ones that we use so i can testify that it does work for what you are attempting to do!
The copy lines are there to copy the bginfo.exe and config file over to the target computer on startup (in case the files aren't there already.) In our organisation the files are being copied over from the Domain Controller's sysvol folder but you could copy it from any computer on the network. I'm not sure of the reason behind the %0\..\ part as the script is running from within the same folder as the files. i'll check with the person who actually wrote the script tomorrow when i'm back at work.
you could also change the copy lines to:
copy /y \\server\share\bginfo.exe etc...
The two batch files in my last post are the actual ones that we use so i can testify that it does work for what you are attempting to do!
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Oops...sorry. Completely missed that you knew about this in your post - my bad.
What difficulties are you seeing while trying to deploy?
Another method you can use is creating a ZAP file: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;231747
What difficulties are you seeing while trying to deploy?
Another method you can use is creating a ZAP file: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;231747
ok, i've figured out why you need to put %0\..\ The %0 is a variable that holds the full UNC path to the batch file that you are running (in this case, the machine startup script) and the \..\ strips out the filename of the script and just leaves the UNC path to the folder that the files reside in.
In effect, the actual command to copy the bginfo.exe file looks like this (in my case anyway):
copy /y \\Domain Controller\SYSVOL\Domain Name\Policies\{B945D101-89
All you have to do is create a new group policy, link the computer startup script and place the bginfo.exe and config.bgi file in to the correct folder for the policy and it should work ok.
In effect, the actual command to copy the bginfo.exe file looks like this (in my case anyway):
copy /y \\Domain Controller\SYSVOL\Domain Name\Policies\{B945D101-89
All you have to do is create a new group policy, link the computer startup script and place the bginfo.exe and config.bgi file in to the correct folder for the policy and it should work ok.
hmmm,
how about this for being simple
place this ins the start up on each system
###############
ipconfig /all >c:\systemip.html
#################
this will at startup create a hml document on the c: drive or waht ever directory you specify, then configure active desktop to display this file...
simple and no need to buy anything
how about this for being simple
place this ins the start up on each system
###############
ipconfig /all >c:\systemip.html
#################
this will at startup create a hml document on the c: drive or waht ever directory you specify, then configure active desktop to display this file...
simple and no need to buy anything
I made a small utility named DispCompInfo that does exactly what you need.
You can download it from my site - www.ganotools.net (but it will be update only on monday)
If you need it sooner, please mail me and I'll reply with the utility.
You can download it from my site - www.ganotools.net (but it will be update only on monday)
If you need it sooner, please mail me and I'll reply with the utility.
ASKER
These are all great comments. I'll try to distribute the points evenly. Thanks!
Btw, you don't deploy bginfo as an msi, you put the file on a share and fire it off with a GPO'd script...
questoni for you on this subject, could this be incorporated to run as an active desktop item instead of being in a window the user could close?