Taggs

Sure, here you go unit Unit1; interface uses Windows, Messages, SysUtils, Classes, Graphics, Controls, Forms, Dialogs, StdCtrls; type TForm1 = class(TForm) Label1: TLabel; Label2: TLabel; procedure FormCreate(Sender: TObject); private { Private declarations } public { Public declarations } end; var Form1: TForm1; implementation {$R *.DFM} procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject); var buffer: array[0..MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH + 1] of Char; Size: Cardinal; Result :string; begin Size := MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH + 1; Windows.GetComputerName(@buffer, Size); Result := StrPas(buffer); end; end. Not much of a program as yet, as I've fallen at the first hurdle! But it will all depend on getting the computer name and looking this up against a database!

An undocumented one

Oops sorry missed it off the post. still get same Error!

Thanks for the post I'm getting the error :Types of actual and formal var parameters must be identical on this line. Windows.GetComputerName(buffer, Size);

I thinks its GetComputerName but I want to put this into a variable. Any help would be greatly appriciated

Any idea's how I can get my computer name in Delphi 3 please. IE MYHOMEPC

http://www.grigsoft.com/download-windiff.htm you can download the source code for windiff from here. Maybe you'd beable to code it but I think it will take a lot of searching through to find what you are after.

Hmmm, is that the output? Are you sure it is the size of the file that is causing the problem? Have you tried running on smaller files first? What about using an app, like windiff or Compare It?

Its not exactly what you are after but if you use the switch /u i.e. FC file1.reg file2.reg > diff.txt /U you will get the whole line. The old one and the new one, you could maybe write a script to remove the lines not need?

http://www.winguides.com/registry/ has a few registry tweaks any may help you. IMHO they are all possible, you just need to "play" a bit to find out what and where they are! Good Luck

BTW? We do have a static IP here, although I use dynamic while building from the RIS. We are plannig to go completely dynamic at some point but when that is, is any bodies guess. I'm not sure how to get the static IP in to the build, as each build creates a unique reg key for the NIC properties in the registry. I'm hoping we may have swapped to dynamic by the time I have this sorted.

Thanks, thats great! Sorry for seeming stupid (but I am!). Are you saying if the NIC has PXE, it is a random number? If it hasn't got PXE, it is generated from the NIC? Thanks Taggs PS do you know where this is stored? Is it on the NIC or mother board?

I work for the govenment and we have no money, (SMS we are looking at 250K+, ) plus why spend money on something you don't need to? (Especially that much money) We would rather have that money in our pocket than Mr Gates's) Anyway before we get side lined off the issue and on to money I'd like to know out of interest aswell. Cheers Taggs

Have you checked for Virus's and spyware?

To make a long story short...... I work on a site with 4500+ PC's and 4499+ different PC configurations. What I'm planning on doing, using a RIS Server, is when we build or rebuild a PC the person rebuilding the pc enters the PC name on the RIS build. PC Rebuilds! On the first boot a special program runs (hopefully written by yours truly) that will check the PC name and the GUID (to make sure no mistakes have been made) against a database. My program, will then get from the database, a list a applications, settings etc for that PC. It then installs as per database configuration. Job done and don't have to get off my lazy backside to rebuild a PC. The GUID reported on the CIW of RIS is different than that stored in AD(It's transposed) not that this is a problem, but I want to find out if I swapped a NIC/Mother board/etc.. because it is faulty will this change my GUID! I hope this makes sense

p.s. I would also like to know where it is held in the registry, if any body knows please. Thanks

Can anybody tell me where my GUID is created/generated from please? Is it stored in the hardware from the manufacture? Mother board? BIOS? MAC address + some formula...etc???? Thanks inadvance

Sorry for the delay in the reply but I've been off work for a week. We had the same problem with the firewall on XP sp2. We over come this by running a reg file with these settings. I hope this helps ;Disable Firewall Service [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess] "Start"=dword:00000004 ;Disable Security center [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center] "AntiVirusDisableNotify"=dword:00000001 "AntiVirusOverride"=dword:00000001 "FirewallDisableNotify"=dword:00000001 "FirewallOverride"=dword:00000001 "FirstRunDisabled"=dword:00000001 "UpdatesDisableNotify"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc] "Start"=dword:00000004 Taggs

HI Bilou_Gateux, What I was trying to say was, you can use a RIS server for all the PC at your main office and an unattended image (not a ghosted image) for all other offices that do not have a server. A ghost image is just a hard disk copy, sector for sector, while an unattened image is an unattended windows setup which is exactly like a RIS image(jst run from a CDor DVD). This way you still only have to manage one image then copy to the server and burn on to cd. Taggs

I don't think it will be the switch but I don't know enough about network hardware. If you have management console for it have a look for something obvious. It would seem to me it is more likely to be a software setting though.

Rather than using a ghost image which has it own problems, Duplicate GUID's Dupicate PID's You can't change hardware You need a site licence or licence pre PC You need to install all the latest hotfixes from the time you did the Ghost image. Have you thought about doing an unattended Image? It sorted all of these problems out PLUS you can automatically install apps and incorporate all the latest hardware drivers for all PC's in an image, and on install the PC picks up the correct drivers for the hardware. if you are interest try here to start with.... http://unattended.msfn.org/index.htm This can also be install over a network (for local PC's) via a RIS server (free component of W2KS and W2K3S) An unattened image takes a little longer than a ghost image to install (5-10 mins) but there is no finding the correct drivers, doing a new image when standard software is upgaded etc etc etc I hope this is usefull, it has saved me loads of time.

Hi MacMe, funnly enough I have just found this out by playing but thank you anyway. For information, if anybody is having the same problem or needs a solution please see MacMe's post. My problem was when I opened gpedit.msc \user configuration\windows settings\remote Installation service\choice options\ it was opening the wrong profile and so need's to be done the way MacMe has posted. One little problem I have now is I can enter the computer name in the CIW but my sif file seems to be taking preference or I get an error. I've tried the following on the line ComputerName=%MACHINENAME% 1) removing completely 2) ="" 3) =* 4) = one problem sorted, another comes along!

I've had a good look around and I cant see anything

Hmmm , is the DHCP server on the same segment of network? If not try putting it on the same switch/hub if possible Is it going through a router? Your router will have to be configured correctly to allow DHCP request through or on some routers you can set it up to allocate DHCP. Have you told the server to accept requests for serviceable clients? Open AD, Domain Controllers, right click the server, properties, check respond to client computers requesting service.

Hi un4given1, I've been into active directory and had a look at the server properties(remote install tab). This allows me to set the name automatically from the server but what I want to do is get the computer name from user input in the CIW. I'm note sure if I am making any sence but I know what I mean! Taggs