Logon wallpaper in Windows Vista...

Hello all,

I have a question/problem with the "logon experience" in Vista.
Because there is no GINA anymore, there goes the impossibility to set a
"logon wallpaper" in Vista.
I am using that wallpaper in XP to convey important information to the users
(room number for the machines and also machine names). It is all done at the
startup of the machine (I am using a tool that builds a bitmap file
containing all that information).
All this seems impossible in Vista, since there is no logon wallpaper.
I know there are ways to modify the background (within imageres.dll) but I
do not believe that is suitable for large environments, plus the background
has to be different for each machine (it must contain the machine name).
I have also considered using the "Interactive logon: Message text for users
attempting to log on" policy setting but I could not find a way to put the
machine name there.

There is another thing that might help but I do not know anything about its
possibilities (if it can do what I just said) or how to use it - custom
credential providers.
Can anyone tell me if the logon background can be modified using a custom
credential provider and how difficult would it be to create one (just with
this change). Also, if it can be done, can that background be created at
boot, containing dynamic data (machine name)?

Thank you in advance for all the responses.
I would really appreciate if you could send the replies to
dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca also, since I do not always have access to the
newsgroup.

Best regards,
Ion

Ion wrote:
> Hello all,
>

Does the information being conveyed have to be at logon or could it be a
custom desktop wallpaper? We use BGinfo to show machine name, IP, and some
other bits. You can use BGinfo to define custom fields using variables,
scripts, reg entries, wmi queries and a few more.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...es/bginfo.mspx

Hello,

The way it is right now (using XP machines) the info is displayed at logon.
We also have a custom desktop wallpaper but we want the logon wallpaper
(when nobody logged on yet) to display that information.

Best regards,
Ion

"Neil Harley" <nharley@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:CFEF31DF-42B5-4939-B5F3-1BCB026B46E7@microsoft.com...
> Ion wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>
> Does the information being conveyed have to be at logon or could it be a
> custom desktop wallpaper? We use BGinfo to show machine name, IP, and some
> other bits. You can use BGinfo to define custom fields using variables,
> scripts, reg entries, wmi queries and a few more.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...es/bginfo.mspx
>
>

Ion

Why would you go to all of this trouble when displaying a logon message is
already built into windows?

You can simply add a logon message and title with Group Policy Editor.msc,
SecPol.msc or a simple registry edit?

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Ion" <dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca> wrote in message
news:0A75E602-5C43-4728-BD0E-CAF21A38759E@microsoft.com...
> Hello all,
>
> I have a question/problem with the "logon experience" in Vista.
> Because there is no GINA anymore, there goes the impossibility to set a
> "logon wallpaper" in Vista.
> I am using that wallpaper in XP to convey important information to the
> users
> (room number for the machines and also machine names). It is all done at
> the
> startup of the machine (I am using a tool that builds a bitmap file
> containing all that information).
> All this seems impossible in Vista, since there is no logon wallpaper.
> I know there are ways to modify the background (within imageres.dll) but I
> do not believe that is suitable for large environments, plus the
> background has to be different for each machine (it must contain the
> machine name).
> I have also considered using the "Interactive logon: Message text for
> users attempting to log on" policy setting but I could not find a way to
> put the machine name there.
>
> There is another thing that might help but I do not know anything about
> its possibilities (if it can do what I just said) or how to use it -
> custom credential providers.
> Can anyone tell me if the logon background can be modified using a custom
> credential provider and how difficult would it be to create one (just with
> this change). Also, if it can be done, can that background be created at
> boot, containing dynamic data (machine name)?
>
> Thank you in advance for all the responses.
> I would really appreciate if you could send the replies to
> dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca also, since I do not always have access to the
> newsgroup.
>
> Best regards,
> Ion

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv@invalid.org> wrote:
> "Ion" <dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca> wrote:

>>[looking for a way to change the pre-logon wallpaper to display a message]

> Why would you go to all of this trouble when displaying a logon message is
> already built into windows?

One reason would be readability: my shop uses logon wallpaper in the systems
that are installed in videoteleconferencing rooms; they provide information
unique to the use of the VTC equipment, including the specially-configured
WinXP systems. Not only does this appear prior to login (and thus less
surprising to the user); it also lets us use graphics and large fonts that
are readable from the chair at the head of the table (usually the most
distant from the screen at the other side of the room).

Also, there's a lawyerish issue: the intended use of the logon time message
built into the system can be seen in the names of the associated Registry
entries: "LegalNoticeCaption" and "LegalNoticeText". Many organizations
have established corporate policies requiring that these fields be
configured with text explicitly approved by their corporate counsel to close
off some of the more idiotic (but occasionally successful) defenses raised
by digital intruders.

As a security professional (and not a lawyer) I would be concerned if
counsel's carefully-worded legalese were modified, even if only by the
addition of new text without deleting anything. I can't offer any citations
for cases involving a defense of "there was so much in the message that I
didn't notice the restriction against hacking into the machine" but defense
lawyers have used stranger arguments in trials involving unauthorized
computer access.

Joe Morris

I tried to manipulate the 'message text for users attempting to log on'
(secpol.msc), but the message doesn't appear on the logon screen (or anywhere
else).

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> Ion
>
> Why would you go to all of this trouble when displaying a logon message is
> already built into windows?
>
> You can simply add a logon message and title with Group Policy Editor.msc,
> SecPol.msc or a simple registry edit?
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "Ion" <dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca> wrote in message
> news:0A75E602-5C43-4728-BD0E-CAF21A38759E@microsoft.com...
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I have a question/problem with the "logon experience" in Vista.
> > Because there is no GINA anymore, there goes the impossibility to set a
> > "logon wallpaper" in Vista.
> > I am using that wallpaper in XP to convey important information to the
> > users
> > (room number for the machines and also machine names). It is all done at
> > the
> > startup of the machine (I am using a tool that builds a bitmap file
> > containing all that information).
> > All this seems impossible in Vista, since there is no logon wallpaper.
> > I know there are ways to modify the background (within imageres.dll) but I
> > do not believe that is suitable for large environments, plus the
> > background has to be different for each machine (it must contain the
> > machine name).
> > I have also considered using the "Interactive logon: Message text for
> > users attempting to log on" policy setting but I could not find a way to
> > put the machine name there.
> >
> > There is another thing that might help but I do not know anything about
> > its possibilities (if it can do what I just said) or how to use it -
> > custom credential providers.
> > Can anyone tell me if the logon background can be modified using a custom
> > credential provider and how difficult would it be to create one (just with
> > this change). Also, if it can be done, can that background be created at
> > boot, containing dynamic data (machine name)?
> >
> > Thank you in advance for all the responses.
> > I would really appreciate if you could send the replies to
> > dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca also, since I do not always have access to the
> > newsgroup.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Ion
>

I'm not sure why this would not work? The message should appear on it's own
screen, prior to the login screen. There should be an [OK] button at the
bottom of the message screen that must be clicked before to log in screen
appears. You might want to check in the registry to make sure the message
and title are being properly entered there.

Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon

You should see, "LegalNoticeCaption" and "LegalNoticeText" there with the
text that you entered.

Are you running the Vista Business or Ultimate version?

If you log off/log on, the message screen should appear.
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"RoninV" <RoninV@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:81E58B9A-DC51-4333-9C9F-F853831392ED@microsoft.com...
>I tried to manipulate the 'message text for users attempting to log on'
> (secpol.msc), but the message doesn't appear on the logon screen (or
> anywhere
> else).
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
>> Ion
>>
>> Why would you go to all of this trouble when displaying a logon message
>> is
>> already built into windows?
>>
>> You can simply add a logon message and title with Group Policy
>> Editor.msc,
>> SecPol.msc or a simple registry edit?
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "Ion" <dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca> wrote in message
>> news:0A75E602-5C43-4728-BD0E-CAF21A38759E@microsoft.com...
>> > Hello all,
>> >
>> > I have a question/problem with the "logon experience" in Vista.
>> > Because there is no GINA anymore, there goes the impossibility to set a
>> > "logon wallpaper" in Vista.
>> > I am using that wallpaper in XP to convey important information to the
>> > users
>> > (room number for the machines and also machine names). It is all done
>> > at
>> > the
>> > startup of the machine (I am using a tool that builds a bitmap file
>> > containing all that information).
>> > All this seems impossible in Vista, since there is no logon wallpaper.
>> > I know there are ways to modify the background (within imageres.dll)
>> > but I
>> > do not believe that is suitable for large environments, plus the
>> > background has to be different for each machine (it must contain the
>> > machine name).
>> > I have also considered using the "Interactive logon: Message text for
>> > users attempting to log on" policy setting but I could not find a way
>> > to
>> > put the machine name there.
>> >
>> > There is another thing that might help but I do not know anything about
>> > its possibilities (if it can do what I just said) or how to use it -
>> > custom credential providers.
>> > Can anyone tell me if the logon background can be modified using a
>> > custom
>> > credential provider and how difficult would it be to create one (just
>> > with
>> > this change). Also, if it can be done, can that background be created
>> > at
>> > boot, containing dynamic data (machine name)?
>> >
>> > Thank you in advance for all the responses.
>> > I would really appreciate if you could send the replies to
>> > dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca also, since I do not always have access to
>> > the
>> > newsgroup.
>> >
>> > Best regards,
>> > Ion
>>

As soon as I wrote my reply, I knew what the issue was. I ovelooked the
'title' parameter. Though it would have been nicer (aesthetically) to have
icons on the logon screen, this message/title parameter does the trick.

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> I'm not sure why this would not work? The message should appear on it's own
> screen, prior to the login screen. There should be an [OK] button at the
> bottom of the message screen that must be clicked before to log in screen
> appears. You might want to check in the registry to make sure the message
> and title are being properly entered there.
>
> Go to:
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon
>
> You should see, "LegalNoticeCaption" and "LegalNoticeText" there with the
> text that you entered.
>
> Are you running the Vista Business or Ultimate version?
>
> If you log off/log on, the message screen should appear.
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "RoninV" <RoninV@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:81E58B9A-DC51-4333-9C9F-F853831392ED@microsoft.com...
> >I tried to manipulate the 'message text for users attempting to log on'
> > (secpol.msc), but the message doesn't appear on the logon screen (or
> > anywhere
> > else).
> >
> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> Ion
> >>
> >> Why would you go to all of this trouble when displaying a logon message
> >> is
> >> already built into windows?
> >>
> >> You can simply add a logon message and title with Group Policy
> >> Editor.msc,
> >> SecPol.msc or a simple registry edit?
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Ronnie Vernon
> >> Microsoft MVP
> >> Windows Shell/User
> >>
> >>
> >> "Ion" <dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca> wrote in message
> >> news:0A75E602-5C43-4728-BD0E-CAF21A38759E@microsoft.com...
> >> > Hello all,
> >> >
> >> > I have a question/problem with the "logon experience" in Vista.
> >> > Because there is no GINA anymore, there goes the impossibility to set a
> >> > "logon wallpaper" in Vista.
> >> > I am using that wallpaper in XP to convey important information to the
> >> > users
> >> > (room number for the machines and also machine names). It is all done
> >> > at
> >> > the
> >> > startup of the machine (I am using a tool that builds a bitmap file
> >> > containing all that information).
> >> > All this seems impossible in Vista, since there is no logon wallpaper.
> >> > I know there are ways to modify the background (within imageres.dll)
> >> > but I
> >> > do not believe that is suitable for large environments, plus the
> >> > background has to be different for each machine (it must contain the
> >> > machine name).
> >> > I have also considered using the "Interactive logon: Message text for
> >> > users attempting to log on" policy setting but I could not find a way
> >> > to
> >> > put the machine name there.
> >> >
> >> > There is another thing that might help but I do not know anything about
> >> > its possibilities (if it can do what I just said) or how to use it -
> >> > custom credential providers.
> >> > Can anyone tell me if the logon background can be modified using a
> >> > custom
> >> > credential provider and how difficult would it be to create one (just
> >> > with
> >> > this change). Also, if it can be done, can that background be created
> >> > at
> >> > boot, containing dynamic data (machine name)?
> >> >
> >> > Thank you in advance for all the responses.
> >> > I would really appreciate if you could send the replies to
> >> > dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca also, since I do not always have access to
> >> > the
> >> > newsgroup.
> >> >
> >> > Best regards,
> >> > Ion
> >>
>
>

Great, glad you got the problem fixed.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"RoninV" <RoninV@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:02D8C592-09B2-4078-9D48-6F2CD2D5E4C9@microsoft.com...
> As soon as I wrote my reply, I knew what the issue was. I ovelooked the
> 'title' parameter. Though it would have been nicer (aesthetically) to have
> icons on the logon screen, this message/title parameter does the trick.
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
>> I'm not sure why this would not work? The message should appear on it's
>> own
>> screen, prior to the login screen. There should be an [OK] button at the
>> bottom of the message screen that must be clicked before to log in screen
>> appears. You might want to check in the registry to make sure the message
>> and title are being properly entered there.
>>
>> Go to:
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon
>>
>> You should see, "LegalNoticeCaption" and "LegalNoticeText" there with the
>> text that you entered.
>>
>> Are you running the Vista Business or Ultimate version?
>>
>> If you log off/log on, the message screen should appear.
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "RoninV" <RoninV@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:81E58B9A-DC51-4333-9C9F-F853831392ED@microsoft.com...
>> >I tried to manipulate the 'message text for users attempting to log on'
>> > (secpol.msc), but the message doesn't appear on the logon screen (or
>> > anywhere
>> > else).
>> >
>> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Ion
>> >>
>> >> Why would you go to all of this trouble when displaying a logon
>> >> message
>> >> is
>> >> already built into windows?
>> >>
>> >> You can simply add a logon message and title with Group Policy
>> >> Editor.msc,
>> >> SecPol.msc or a simple registry edit?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >> Ronnie Vernon
>> >> Microsoft MVP
>> >> Windows Shell/User
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Ion" <dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca> wrote in message
>> >> news:0A75E602-5C43-4728-BD0E-CAF21A38759E@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Hello all,
>> >> >
>> >> > I have a question/problem with the "logon experience" in Vista.
>> >> > Because there is no GINA anymore, there goes the impossibility to
>> >> > set a
>> >> > "logon wallpaper" in Vista.
>> >> > I am using that wallpaper in XP to convey important information to
>> >> > the
>> >> > users
>> >> > (room number for the machines and also machine names). It is all
>> >> > done
>> >> > at
>> >> > the
>> >> > startup of the machine (I am using a tool that builds a bitmap file
>> >> > containing all that information).
>> >> > All this seems impossible in Vista, since there is no logon
>> >> > wallpaper.
>> >> > I know there are ways to modify the background (within imageres.dll)
>> >> > but I
>> >> > do not believe that is suitable for large environments, plus the
>> >> > background has to be different for each machine (it must contain the
>> >> > machine name).
>> >> > I have also considered using the "Interactive logon: Message text
>> >> > for
>> >> > users attempting to log on" policy setting but I could not find a
>> >> > way
>> >> > to
>> >> > put the machine name there.
>> >> >
>> >> > There is another thing that might help but I do not know anything
>> >> > about
>> >> > its possibilities (if it can do what I just said) or how to use it -
>> >> > custom credential providers.
>> >> > Can anyone tell me if the logon background can be modified using a
>> >> > custom
>> >> > credential provider and how difficult would it be to create one
>> >> > (just
>> >> > with
>> >> > this change). Also, if it can be done, can that background be
>> >> > created
>> >> > at
>> >> > boot, containing dynamic data (machine name)?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thank you in advance for all the responses.
>> >> > I would really appreciate if you could send the replies to
>> >> > dorin.minghiris@ryerson.ca also, since I do not always have access
>> >> > to
>> >> > the
>> >> > newsgroup.
>> >> >
>> >> > Best regards,
>> >> > Ion
>> >>
>>
>>