Run EXE at Startup

[Travoiz]

Hey,

This is my first post at vbforums, hopefully someone can help! I have a program that I have created and generated the .exe. I want this exe to run when the computer starts. I have seen several other threads with this same problem being addressed but all the answers are "put the exe in startup" or "edit the registry and add the exe as a string in \Run" and on and on. I do not want this exe to run when someone logs into the computer, I want the exe to run when the computer is booted, or when windows displays that loading screen, or shortly after. The systems I run at work run novell and the user needs to log in. So if this exe could run before that user logs in would be what I am looking for. Is this possible to do?

[TheBigB]

Hi, welcome to the forums

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know that's impossible, because when you run the application the VB6 runtime is loaded.
And I think that won't work.

I'll do some research on it, as you also got me interested in this

[TheBigB]

Oh by the way,
Just wondering... What does your app need to do before the logon?

[MarkT]

You can turn your exe into a service and that should accomplish what you want to do. There are various tools available to do this. Just do a Google search.

[Travoiz]

I need this exe to notify my team when a windows server reboots. We have several servers running both linux and windows. The linux servers have this automatic email set up, so I wanted to do that same with the windows one. I will try setting up that service and see if that works. I will let you all know! Thanks for the quick replies!

[Travoiz]

Let me be a little more clear here... we have several servers... some are running windows, some are running linux, not both! Sorry!

[techgnome]

HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run is where it goes... that runs when windows starts up. the same key under the HKU hive runs when the user logs in.

-tg

[Travoiz]

That would work if I wanted my exe to run when the user signs in, but I want it to run before anyone signs in.

[supercell1970]

I believe there is a way to do it. Also try to edit your Autoexec.bat file manually and insert the EXE file to run at start-up. I may be wrong, but I will try it to see if it works with my EXE. Then I will send a message back.

[Quiver318]

I agree with MarkT. Make the program into a Windows Service.

[Travoiz]

I tried creating the service and it would not fire when I rebooted. If I tried to start the service manually it would throw an error saying the program did not start in a timely fashion, but it still worked. When I rebooted to test it gave an error saying a windows service could not be started and the program never fired. I also tried editing the autoexec.bat, but that to failed to fire on reboot. Am I missing something important here?!

[TheBigB]

I think I've found something.
Stay tuned

[Travoiz]

Oh the suspense!

[Travoiz]

HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run is where it goes... that runs when windows starts up. the same key under the HKU hive runs when the user logs in.

-tg

That only works when someone logs into the workstation. Not quite what I am looking to accomplish. I want the executable to fire before logon.

[Travoiz]

Got it! After many hours spent googleing and testing I finally got it!

Here is what worked:
Start > Run gpedit.msc
In the window that pops up go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings
Then click on "Scripts" and open "Startup". Click "Add", Browse to where the executable is, click on it, and hit open then click ok.

This script runs before a user has to login. Such a simple solution. Thank you all for your help and advice! I am going to go pluck out my grey hairs now...

[JJJCR_FOX]

hi Travoiz, make that exe file that you want to run as a service.. check out this link from MS site on how to do it..
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/251192
or try this one
http://www.sw4me.com/wiki/Winserv

pls. let us know if it helps