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Make sure that the "Protected Storage" service is running.

I wanted to setup some programs to run as Windows Services but found information on the subject to be scattered around everywhere. So this post is basically for consolidation and clarification but is not focused on unattended installations. What is a Service? A Windows Service is automatically started when your system boots. There is no need to logon to the system. Services also are not affected by people logging off. Services automatically recover from program crashes and Standby and Hibernation modes. Windows 9x/ME do not have a Service facility. Installing software as a Service requires Administrator permissions. What are the options for running a program as a Service? sc.exe This is Microsoft software and is installed by default on XP and 2003. It is probably the best and easiest method but it won't work if the target executable was not programmed to run as a Service. This rules it out for what many people are trying to do since most programs that are designed ro run as a Service have that option included somewhere in the application. sc.exe is useful for the Unattended crowd, though. The syntax for sc.exe is worth noting. This will NOT work: But this WILL work (note the space after the =): Two other useful options, with the same syntax as above, are: type= <own|share|interact|kernel|filesys|rec> (default = own) start= <boot|system|auto|demand|disabled> (default = demand) You can use these commands for more details: sc /? sc create /? instsrv.exe and srvany.exe This is Microsoft software but was published as part of the Resource Kits. You can download the files here or here. Thanks to tacktech.com for providing the fileset. Instrsrv.exe installs the Service but srvany.exe is the real gem here as it is a wrapper that allows any software to be run as a Service. This method worked great for me but does require manual registry edits. Here is a quick summary of the steps invloved but you can find more complete instructions at Microsoft's KB page or TackTech's page with great screenshots. Unpack the fileset to a folder of your choice. srvany.exe needs to remain on your system for this method to work, so put it somewhere like Program files where you won't mind leaving it around. I use C:\Program Files\services in this example. Install the Service with a command like this: C:\Program Files\services\Instsrv.exe YourServiceName C:\Program Files\services\Srvany.exe Using a registry editor, find this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\YourServiceName Add a new sub-key called Parameters. In the Parameters key, create a new string value named Application. Set the value data of Application to the full path of the executable file that you want the service to launch. For example, C:\WINNT\notepad.exe. Using the Services console, find your new service and make any necessary property edits. This dialog will allow you to set the startup type, logon method, and program failure options. One problem I ran into with this method was task tray entries. Some programs won't work if their task tray entry fails. If the software you want to run wants to put an icon in the task tray you can try enabling "Allow service to interact with the desktop" on the "Log On" tab of the Service properties. If that doesn't work you could also try disabling the task tray entry for the program. Launcher Service Camarade_Tux recommends Launcher Service. It is free and open source and looks very flexible and useful. This program has several unique features:Start or stop a program based on network connectivity External program can be run before or after execution Delete *.tmp and *.pid files from the program's startup folder before execution [*]WinServ I did not try this program but included it here since it is free, open source and looks useful.[*]Non-free options There are quite a few shareware and payware options. I didn't try any of them but I hear that FireDaemon works well for a lot of people. References http://support.microsoft.com/kb/251192 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q137890 http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=197 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=72799 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=40581 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=62482 http://www.codeproject.com/system/serviceskeleton.asp

That Foxconn unit looks pretty neat if it really is a "single unit" solution with no mess/fuss. Check this out than: http://www.overclockers.com/articles1233/Seems like condensation would be an issue unless the flow is sealed.

You should be able to tell by calling phpinfo() as usual. (to browser output, of course)

I run, but mostly because I have to do so for my job. I hate running! Tennis is fun but my gf and I are really bad at it...which might actually make it more fun Snowboarding is my favorite activity but I currently live in an area with NO slopes. Has anyone seen one of these HumanScale chairs in real life? It looks really interesting in the ads. I am thinking it might make a good replacement for my aging Aeron.

My opinion is that Flash should be a web designer's last resort to meet customer requirements when nothing else will suffice.

It can be tough to tell sometimes. If the package doesn't explicity state it, you can usually find out by reading an online review of the product. Also, if the device has removable media then it may be more likely to be "friendly" in this regard. Not always, though!

I used a Logitech trackball for about year. My thumb started started cramping up and aching. Now, 8 years later, it still cracks like when you crack your knuckles; only it does it fairly often and without provocation. Now I use an Evoluent vertical mouse and some other assorted mice. I try to change every so often to prevent the RSI from setting in. The exercise ball sounds like a neat idea. How much pressure do you keep in it? AKA, how much do you sink when you sit on it? I can't really think which would be better: firm or bouncy. (the exercise ball, of course!)

It should be noted that Ethereal is now known as Wireshark.

NET USER username {password | *} /ADD [options] [/DOMAIN]

Most of us are geeks who spend entirely too much time sitting in a chair all day. We get bad posture, achy backs, RSI and sore hamstrings. I've looked around a bit and most of the advice I've found can be summarized as: Sit on an exercise ball Sit on a knee chair Sit on a different chair (for variety) Sit on an ergonomic chair Sit on an expensive ergonomic chair (Aeron, et al) Use an ergonomic mouse Take frequent breaks Go running Participate in a sport Get a dog Stretch more Exercising in general What are your ergonomic tips? What is your method of prevention?

Just get one that will allow you to copy files over to the device manually (like using explorer over USB) and you shouldn't have to worry about it. You may not be able to run the bundled software, but most are crap anyway.

Wouldn't it work if you used something like sustain.exe to launch/sustain? Or does the START method not enable child processes to inherit the parent's priority? Wow, that really was an old topic. It was near the bottom of this forum page, but still on page one. I hadn't noticed that it was so old!

Avast, there! Yaarg, me hearties, I be the deadliest pirate of all the seas! An' if ye be fergettin' it, I'll be seein' to that ye be eatin' of yer own lips, too! Aye, me parrot concurs. 'Tis that time o' year again. Here be some links to get ye savvy for th' big day: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day http://www.talklikeapirate.com/ http://www.talklikeapirateday.com/ A quick video http://www.piratelaws.com/ http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Swashbucklers/ Got it, matey? Then drink up this here grog and weigh anchor, me heartie! Yaar-ha-haaar! This makes me feel soooo intelligent!

Except for some newer Outlook features, I thought Office '97 hit the functionality vs. bloat sweet spot.

START /HIGH C:\PATH\TO\.EXE

It depends on your version of PHP, but I think it has to be designated at compile time.

dannyfeola: Please don't post large images directly to the forum. They break our pages. I edited your post and uploaded your image to imageshack for you:

IPB is my favorite by far, but vBulletin is the 500lb gorilla. They are both fast and feature-packed. Disadvatange: not free. Among the free ones, I like SMF the best. It is fast and has lots of features. The community is growing, but still not as robust as the others. The next version of phpBB is supposed to be a big step towards being able to compete with these other forums in term of feature sets. It is the most popular of the free forums but is currently lacking in official features.

TC is indeed a busy dude lately. He is working hard and has some surprises in store for us

Four different polls about age? This one has the most participants so far so let's use it.

This poll is broken. Use this other one instead.

Thanks, but I don't deserve much credit. Just "clouds" and some random filter. Your stuff is far more refined.

Sure. I posted a while back here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=470973 My samurize config has changed a bit (I added a weather node) but other than that my desktop is the same. I like all this desktop pimping stuff, but don't have the time or artistic aptitude to change mine around all the time.