Hiding Windows - run GBPVR from the start

[drewkaree]

I want to hide any and all traces of Windows and simply have GBPVR be the first thing that shows up.

In addition, I'd like to know if, after hiding Windows, there is anything (or steps for me to follow) I can do to lock ANYONE out from accessing Windows unless they use a specific set of keys to avoid the accidental "the kids hit a button and now we can't figure out how to get it back" scenario.

Is this possible, and how would I go about doing/enabling it?

[drewkaree]

Also noticed "Exit" ALWAYS exits to Windows. Is there a way to make "Exit" shut down the PC?

[bgowland]

I can't help feeling this ought to be a topic for the General Discussion forum as it isn't really a GB-PVR issue. What you're talking about (if I'm understanding you right) is creating a locked down user profile within Windows that just runs one application and shuts down windows when it exits. ???

Yes this can be done (depending on the version of Windows you're using) but you need to setup a mandatory user profile.

The easiest thing would be to buy an MVP and lock the computer away somewhere so nobody can fiddle with it.

Cheers,
Brian

[replaytv]

How about using the Shutdown plugin to replace the Exit button, and the Switch User of XP Home so other user can use computer but your GBPVR session still untouch.

Dan L.

[Shader]

In the early days of windows there was a way to replace the shell by some other software just by changing a config file of windows...
I tried that with litestep and it worked perfect.

For windows Xp read this:
http://docs.geoshell.com/R4?pagename=Rep...ForWindows

It might work... ???

[drewkaree]

I can't help feeling this ought to be a topic for the General Discussion forum as it isn't really a GB-PVR issue.

Not a problem. If a mod could move it there for me, it's appreciated. I wasn't certain where this fit, and this seemed to be correct.

What you're talking about (if I'm understanding you right) is creating a locked down user profile within Windows that just runs one application and shuts down windows when it exits. ???

You hit the nail RIGHT ON the head! Exactly. I'd like the capability to run other apps within that profile, but if I have to switch users to run 'em, THAT would work as well.

Yes this can be done (depending on the version of Windows you're using) but you need to setup a mandatory user profile.

I'm using a slipstreamed version of XP Pro, and by default I have it set to create 2 users, one as admin, the other as a "general" user. Is that setup what you are referring to as a "mandatory user profile", or is there more I should be implementing?

The easiest thing would be to buy an MVP and lock the computer away somewhere so nobody can fiddle with it.

I'm trying to avoid spending ANY more money on this thing. We were gonna go TIVO, but I put the used-car-salesman act on the wife to go this route, and it's turned into more than the TIVO, so additional expenditures at this point aren't going to go over well, if at all

Thanks thus far Brian!

Dan, I just woke up. I'm gonna look into that suggestion immediately after posting this, as well as Shader's suggestions. Thanks for the idea. I'll post back on it. Right now, it seems like that's for XP Home, and since I never posted that I'm using XP Pro (my fault...boo on me) I dunno if it'll work.

*EDIT*
The shutdown plug-in is a P-E-R-F-E-C-T solution for shutdown, I can see....and ctrl-alt-del should allow me to log out and log in as another user, so using the OTHER user profile to do various things I'd like won't be completely out of the question....a bit of a hassle, but it's at least a solution thus far. Now to get learnin' on shader's suggestion!

Shader, I've done similar stuff in the past with Win98, never with XP, so this sounds like I can pull it off with a little practice. I'm checking it out!

THANKS A BUNCH GUYS!

[bgowland]

I'm using a slipstreamed version of XP Pro, and by default I have it set to create 2 users, one as admin, the other as a "general" user. Is that setup what you are referring to as a "mandatory user profile", or is there more I should be implementing?

I probably used the wrong term - mandatory user profiles are more related to networked environments (sorry it was late when I posted my message). You basically need an 'enforced' user environment but I guess you know that already as that's what you were asking about.

Try TweakUI from the MS Power Toys download page http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downl...rtoys.mspx (make sure you get the right one - there is a 32-bit and 64-bit version). It will allow you to specify a certain amount of what can be seen on the desktop, start menu etc. It also has a quick entry point for the Local Group Policy editor (gpedit.msc) which can go a lot further with lockdowns and customising the user environment.

Cheers,
Brian

[drewkaree]

Well, I tried going my own route and running GBPVR as a shell. I've done this in the past with another program, so figured I'd be able to try it and see if it was a quick and dirty solution. No dice.

"VBRN9 (or something similar) is not recognized by this system" is the error message I get, and I think unless it's integrated into GBPVR, this route won't work.

Off to try the suggestions you guys brought up, just thought I'd let you know what I've done so far, in case anyone else is trying this as well.

[drewkaree]

Dropping a shortcut to GBPVR in "Startup" technically "works", but I have a large gap of time where the desktop is viewable, spoiling the illusion.

I know I'm missing something here. The shell replacement thing is bugging me - I know if I can get it to work, it's exactly what I'm looking for

[drewkaree]

BOOYA!

Got it to work after some looking around and realized I was missing a step. I'll write it up shortly.