Windows XP startup best practice?

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Hughes
  • Start date Start date
J

John Hughes

Bear with me as this may get a bit long.

I am working on integrating a Windows XP based application into an aircraft
training simulation. The XP computer will only need to run the specific
applications needed as part of the training scenario. The plan is that the
system will boot, wait for the trainer to signal that the training scenario
is ready to run, then execute the application. When the scenario is
complete, the application will terminate, and the system will go back to
waiting for the next scenario. We want this to be as transparent to the
users as possible, all they should see is there GUI interface, when the
trainer is running. I also need to be able to shutdown the system on command
from the trainer.

I have a pretty good idea about the various options for logging in, starting
an application automatically, etc. Back in the WindowsNT days, I could set
up the system so that if the user terminated the running application, he was
automatically logged off, so he never saw the WindowsNT GUI, just the
application. My first question is, "Is there a way to make Windows XP behave
this way?"

My second, more general question is, "Is there some guidance regarding best
practice for where you do various things with respect to startup and
shutdown?" For instance, you can use the group policy editor to build
computer startup and shutdown scripts. You can also define user login and
logout scripts. Is there some recommended way of deciding where to do
various operations?

I am looking for any suggestions regarding making things operate in the
simplest and most reliable fashion.

thanks,
 
I'm not sure what you mean exactly. Try disabling the "Welcome Screen"
from the "User Accounts" control panel.
 
I was looking for a lot deeper answer. Turning of the welcome screen is just
the tip of the iceberg. For instance, there is a posting that describes 13
different ways that a program can be started (see Startup in this discussion
group). I am trying to figure out what the advantages and disadvantages of
those 13 places to start a program might be. I am looking for guidance
beyond the obvious (some places start programs on boot, some places start
programs on login, etc.). I am also looking for guidance on ways to minimize
what the user can do, besides play with the specific program we want him too.
I know how to do many of these things, but I am looking for expert help to
make sure I don't unintentionally break something, or leave a gapping
security hole.

Am I on my own?

thanks,

jfh
 
I was looking for a lot deeper answer. Turning of the welcome screen
is just the tip of the iceberg. For instance, there is a posting
that describes 13 different ways that a program can be started (see
Startup in this discussion group). I am trying to figure out what
the advantages and disadvantages of those 13 places to start a
program might be. I am looking for guidance beyond the obvious (some
places start programs on boot, some places start programs on login,
etc.). I am also looking for guidance on ways to minimize what the
user can do, besides play with the specific program we want him too.
I know how to do many of these things, but I am looking for expert
help to make sure I don't unintentionally break something, or leave a
gapping security hole.

Am I on my own?

thanks,
Click to expand...

You might be unless you can make your questions a lot more specific.
That's a complex area and with lots of IFs, caveats and dependencies.
And besides that, the "simplest and most reliable fashion" is something
that is wide open to interpretation and personal opinions depending on
what a person's computer is set up to do (or not do).

There just is no one size fits all answer. Your best bet is to pick an
area and start studying it. Most any area you pick will lead you to the
others and research will be rather easy to broaden as you go along. The
Registry is probably one of the more complex but also most all
encompassing of the areas for you to start with. Then begin applying it
to whatever case you want it to fit. You'll begin to come to some
accurate answers for your own situation. You'll also then be able to
ask much more specific questions and probably receive much better
responses too.
One thing you're not apt to get here is anyone who will take you by
the hand and instruct you on all the details and nuances of your case.
Posters are expected to have done their own prior research before coming
to a newsgroup; being able to demonstrate that you've done that will get
you some much better answers. You'll find you just can not be spoon fed
the answer to such a wide open question. What you've done so far is
akin to going to an automotive engineering newsgroup and asking how to
build the perfect car without so much as providing the manufacturer,
brand or any other details about it.

HTH
 
I was not asking to be spoon fed. I spent several days bouncing around
various documents, web sites, forums, news groups, etc. trying to find
something that would point me in the right direction. Mostly what I found
was a huge pool of unconnected information. It is often difficult to discern
if the informaton you are reading pertains to Vista, to XP, or even to
Windows 3.1.

I did ask some specific questions.

1. Is there a way to make Windows XP automatically log the user off when he
terminates an application that was automatically loaded on logging in? I
have found many references to setting up the automatic log in, with more
options than I could have ever imagined. So, I can pick one and go with it,
but there doesn't appear to be any information about which of the options
might be more or less secure, which options are likely to be around in the
future, which might go away, etc.

2. My second question was asking for a road map regarding recommended
practices for starting up and shutting down applications. I can spend weeks
reading through numerous posts about what does and doesn't work, often with
no way to tell what expertise the poster has. There are numerous instances
where Microsoft has provided guidance regarding recommended ways of doing
things. I was looking for a place to start my research. It sounds to me
like there are no documented suggestions, so I am forced to pick a direction
and hope it doesn't lead to a dead end. I had hoped that someone could help
me avoid some known pit falls.

Thanks for your input.

jfh
 
1. AFAIK, a user can only be automatically logged off by Windows
itself if the shell process is terminated. You will have to use a
third party software or a script if you want that to happen for any
application you have specified. For me, I would rather use a script
which is launched at user login. In turn, that script will launch the
needed application and wait until it is terminated. When that happen,
the script can logoff the current user.

2. There are many ways to make an application automatically launched
at system startup or at user login. Many are stored in the registry
and some in configuration files. Almost all available methods can be
used with all kind of applications. But there are restrictions such as
type of application, dependency with other application, security/
privilege, and timing issues. It would be a bit too long to describe
each methods.
 
1. You suggest a script launced at login, that starts the application(s),
waits for them to terminate, then logs off. I can easily write a .bat file
and place it in the users startup folder. If it simply starts the
application in line, it will sit there until the application exits. I can
then put a logoff comand in the .bat file. Is this what you had in mind?

2. I am aware of at least 13 different places to specify an application or
program to be run at system startup or login. You said, "But there are
restrictions such as type of application, dependency with other application,
security/privilege, and timing issues. It would be a bit too long to describe
each methods." Where are these restrictions documented? Where can I go to
get details about each of the methods? This is the fundamental problem I am
having right how. There are too many choices and I have no information on
which to base a decision about which choice to use. I was hoping that I
didn't have to try each choice independently and run countless tests on each
configuration to determine what was best. I hoped, I could learn from
others. Is there no one who knows, or is willing to share this info?
 
1. Yes, that's exactly what I have in mind. Don't know if Windows
Script (WSC, JS or VBS) is capable of performing this task, but if it
does, it can be used to avoid having a console window.

2. None that I know of, sorry. Most websites describes only several
methods. In Microsoft website, this information are scattered. Some
are in the Knowledge Base and some are in the MSDN Online Library. The
least known and hard to find ones are the ones from the Knowledge Base
which are usually provided for administrators and programmers in
technical manner. Some only contain instructions on how to utilize it
without explaining what it actually do, what it requires and what is
affects in details.


As far as I can see, you want your system to run in so-called "kiosk"
mode where your main application starts automatically PRIOR the
windows desktop by replacing the shell. However, some Windows
components may not yet be available during this stage. You application
might need to manually start any required components that are not yet
available.
 
I currently have a .bat file that I am placing in the users startup folder
which starts the applications correctly. I am having numerous issues with
making things work just the way I would like, but the basic concept is
working. Thanks for your help with this.

The "kiosk" mode is exactly what I am trying to set up. Is there more
documentation about how to do this somewhere? Or, is this another example of
things that will have to be mined out of the extensive online resources?

Again, I thank you for your help.
 
You can do a search on the Microsoft website using this keywords:
shell AND explorer.exe AND winlogon

Take a look at the one titled "Shell Entry: Core Services". The
default shell is EXPLORER.EXE, which is the desktop. In other word, in
kiosk mode, the EXPLORER.EXE desktop is the kiosk application. You
just need to replace it with your application or your application
manager.

The search result should be relevant to the shell, all the bits and
pieces. You will need to use the registry and NOT the one in the
SYSTEM.INI file. Also, as you already have known, the welcome screen
should be disabled, since it will interfere with the whole screen
display.

The welcome screen AFAIK, will show its "welcome" screen to block user
inputs in order to let the USERINIT.EXE process to finish. The
USERINIT.EXE performs all the necesarry user profile initializations,
so it's best to let it finish prior launching the main application.
Your application manager (the shell) should perform this task.
Frankly, I don't know the details about what would happen if we don't
wait USERINIT.EXE finishes it job and launch the main application
right away. Although in my experience, nothing bad happened since I
myself don't use the welcome screen and all of the startup
applications are launched without waiting USERINIT.EXE to finish its
job.

Since the desktop is gone, don't expect support for tray icons nor
tray notifications including any other things that depend on the
desktop features.

HTH.


John said:
I currently have a .bat file that I am placing in the users startup folder
which starts the applications correctly. I am having numerous issues with
making things work just the way I would like, but the basic concept is
working. Thanks for your help with this.

The "kiosk" mode is exactly what I am trying to set up. Is there more
documentation about how to do this somewhere? Or, is this another example of
things that will have to be mined out of the extensive online resources?

Again, I thank you for your help.
Click to expand...
 
You can do a search on the Microsoft website using this keywords:
shell AND explorer.exe AND winlogon

Take a look at the one titled "Shell Entry: Core Services". The
default shell is EXPLORER.EXE, which is the desktop. In other word, in
kiosk mode, the EXPLORER.EXE desktop is the kiosk application. You
just need to replace it with your application or your application
manager.

The search result should be relevant to the shell, all the bits and
pieces. You will need to use the registry and NOT the one in the
SYSTEM.INI file. Also, as you already have known, the welcome screen
should be disabled, since it will interfere with the whole screen
display.

The welcome screen AFAIK, will show its "welcome" screen to block user
inputs in order to let the USERINIT.EXE process to finish. The
USERINIT.EXE performs all the necesarry user profile initializations,
so it's best to let it finish prior launching the main application.
Your application manager (the shell) should perform this task.
Frankly, I don't know the details about what would happen if we don't
wait USERINIT.EXE finishes it job and launch the main application
right away. Although in my experience, nothing bad happened since I
myself don't use the welcome screen and all of the startup
applications are launched without waiting USERINIT.EXE to finish its
job.

Since the desktop is gone, don't expect support for tray icons nor
tray notifications including any other things that depend on the
desktop features.

HTH.


John said:
I currently have a .bat file that I am placing in the users startup folder
which starts the applications correctly. I am having numerous issues with
making things work just the way I would like, but the basic concept is
working. Thanks for your help with this.

The "kiosk" mode is exactly what I am trying to set up. Is there more
documentation about how to do this somewhere? Or, is this another example of
things that will have to be mined out of the extensive online resources?

Again, I thank you for your help.
Click to expand...
 
Back
Top