How do I run a program during the Windows XP Welcome Screen?

**bratch** · February 19th, 2003, 17:03 PM

Hi, could anyone tell me how to run a program during the Windows XP Welcome Screen, before I have logged on that is. I am trying to run a program to connect me to the internet before I log on, if it is not possible to run a program of my own, is it possible to have Windows Dial-Up for me before I log on?

Thanks for any assistance,
Bratch

**Conan** · February 19th, 2003, 22:01 PM

Sorry but I don't think it's possible to load a program before you log on, unless someone else here thinks otherwise.

**Big Booger** · February 19th, 2003, 23:50 PM

I believe that if you add your program to the RunServices section of the registry (HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/RunServices), it will be started prior to logon.

Also try this:
You might also want to consider running a program called Firedaemon which is actually just a program that places itself in the startup scripts and services of your computer, and allows you to create net services that are child processes of that. Works great with MRTG and you can find info on it at www.firedaemon.com

The above was found on another site.

Good luck, and welcome to techzonez.
BB

**SupaStar** · February 20th, 2003, 00:40 AM

Like BB said...

I think you just need to add a new string to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
The name can be whatever you like but the data should be a path (eg. c:\windows\notepad.exe) to the app you want to run.

OR

Use the Windows Task Scheduler to run an exe "When my computer starts". Theoretically this should work before logon as there is also an option to start a program "When I log on"

I have not tested any of the above...yet...so good luck.

**bratch** · February 20th, 2003, 15:45 PM

thanks very much everyone, havn't tested em yet, but very good replies, i'll use this board more often me things for help i need :P

bye all,
bratch

thx

**bratch** · February 20th, 2003, 16:06 PM

neitehr seem to work
although could it be because i can't find /RunServices, only /Run

but other wise it doesnt work, it just runs them after i log on...

**Big Booger** · February 21st, 2003, 03:04 AM

did you try firedaemon?
BB

**SupaStar** · February 21st, 2003, 04:05 AM

Originally posted by bratch
neitehr seem to work
although could it be because i can't find /RunServices, only /Run

but other wise it doesnt work, it just runs them after i log on...

I've had a chance to test everything and here's what I found:

1. The registry key option does not work. It loads programs at logon.

2. The Task Scheduler option might work as it seems to run the application however looking in the Task Manager I found that the process was created by the user who logged in (not what we want).

3. FireDaemon seems to be the solution as I managed to get an app to run in the background and Task Manager confirmed that it was created by SYSTEM, thus I can only assume that it was loaded at startup and not logon.

See how you go.

**bratch** · February 21st, 2003, 20:58 PM

checking it out now *fingers crossed*

**bratch** · February 21st, 2003, 21:18 PM

i can't seem to get that to work
can anyone see if they can get my file to run, unzip this file, then disconnect from the net, and running this app should make windows reconnect. it works fine, but can't make it run before startup

http://www.geocities.com/l_bratch/dial.zip

if you can get it to run adn dial up before start up with this program in this zip file can you tell me how you did it

thanks very much for all help
bratch

**bratch** · February 21st, 2003, 21:21 PM

if that link doesn't work...try this one
http://bratch.netfirms.com/pgms/dial.zip

**Reverend** · February 21st, 2003, 21:34 PM

Bratch,
the zip file is corrupt. Error on opening.

**bratch** · February 22nd, 2003, 10:56 AM

try now...

**SupaStar** · February 25th, 2003, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by SupaStar
FireDaemon seems to be the solution as I managed to get an app to run in the background and Task Manager confirmed that it was created by SYSTEM, thus I can only assume that it was loaded at startup and not logon.

Has anyone tried this? I'm just curious.