Work on Server Core for W2k8?

That did the trick!

OK, so I've tried to get BGInfo to work in Server Core but it only works "half-assed". (That may be a little harsh...)

 

Does it run? Yes.

 

Does it run at startup/login? If it can, I can't figure out how.

 

Here's what I do know: the location that startup items are put in on a full GUI install is C:\Users\username\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\start menu\programs\startup. In a Server Core install that directory tree exists EXCEPT for the final part - the [Startup] directory. I manually created one and put a shortcut link to BGInfo.exe - no dice, it didn't autorun at logon. (Of course, there’s no REAL [Start Menu] in Server Core, so…)

 

Also of note, while you can launch BGInfo, you cannot access an Open/Save dialog box. Why is this important? Because if you do want to use BGInfo on Server Core, you'll need to use a different machine to config a BGI file and a shortcut with the necessary properties (timer:0 and location of the BGI file) and then copy the ensemble over to the Server Core server since the lack of an Open/Save dialog box effectively means you can’t edit and save a file through the BGInfo interface.

 

Note: If you run BGInfo.exe from the command line you will get the default settings and config in Server Core with NO way to change it.  (correction: you CAN change the default settings but I couldn't access a save dialog option to keep any changes made during that session). I don’t know about you but I’ve gone to a lot of trouble to config a BGI “look-n-feel” that I like…a config’ed shortcut is a small price to pay…

 

If anyone comes across a way to run the shortcut at logon, please let me know, I may be missing something (it is Friday afternoon after all).  Maybe I’ll look into using a GPO on an OU to force the shortcut to run...but that would negate any hardcoded/static changes specific to a server, exa: I like putting a static line near the top of the BGI file that reads: “Server Role” with its defined/primary role (exa: Domain Controller, Certificate Server, Vendor Application Server) – that I couldn’t do with an OU-wide GPO…

 

Any ideas?

 

Have a good weekend…

 

Techiedude

Edited by Techiedude007 - 21 July 2008 at 4:56pm

Hi, Techiedude007.

My previous answer was just meant to let you know that until now there are not too many reports on how well BGInfo v4.13 co-operates with Windows 2008.
So this your chance of reporting your own experience, because so far hardly anybody has done so.

Regards,
Karl

Hi, Techiedude007.

We are looking forward to reading your reports on how BGInfo v4.13 behaves on Windows 2008. 32bit? 64bit?

Karl