custom application running on startup

Hello All,

I am interested in writing an .NET application that is started whenever the
machine is powered up. The machine is a WindowsXP system or Windows 2000
system.

When this custom program is started, it would display a user interface to
interact with the user. The user would not able to switch to other
applications that may currently be running concurrently nor would the user
be able to start a new program nor exit the custom program itself.

Would someone point me to a direction to where I can get sample code of
similar functionality or where to start doing my research.

Thanks

Jan 12 '06 #1

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1293

Nick Malik [Microsoft]

<bu*****@sympat ico.ca> wrote in message
news:uq******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP15.phx.gbl...

Hello All,

I am interested in writing an .NET application that is started whenever
the machine is powered up. The machine is a WindowsXP system or Windows
2000 system.

When this custom program is started, it would display a user interface to
interact with the user. The user would not able to switch to other
applications that may currently be running concurrently nor would the user
be able to start a new program nor exit the custom program itself.

Would someone point me to a direction to where I can get sample code of
similar functionality or where to start doing my research.

Thanks

First off, when the computer starts up, the only apps that start up with it
are services. These apps have no user interface.
You can have a user interface app start up only after someone logs on.

In order to have a user interface automatically come up when the computer
starts up, therefore, it is helpful to first configure your computer to
automatically login. For Windows XP, see
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm
There is a similar capability for Windows 2000,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/234562/

Then, configure your application to start up when the account logs in.

It sounds like you are building a kiosk application. See
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../ensecrty.mspx

Note that there are kiosk packages already available for sale. You may want
to look into one of them, rather than building your own. I used MSN Search
and got a list of links below. I cannot actually vouch for the software,
however. Note: the third link is for a $39 software package. I'm guessing
that you've spent more than that already!
http://www.kiosklogix.com/software.asp
http://www.touchvision.com/
http://www.emailarms.com/products/internet_kiosk.html

Hope this helps,

--
--- Nick Malik [Microsoft]
MCSD, CFPS, Certified Scrummaster
http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmalik

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this forum are my own, and not
representative of my employer.
I do not answer questions on behalf of my employer. I'm just a
programmer helping programmers.
--

Jan 15 '06 #2

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