Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions.

Note: These questions and answers refer primarily to the Professional version of System Scheduler, some answers may not be available on the Free version.

Q) Will System Scheduler run tasks when logged off my Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 Computer, or when the computer is 'locked'?

A) Yes, if you are running the Professional version of System Scheduler, but not the free version. The Professional version has the facility to run as a system Service . This means all tasks can be run while logged off. You can not send keypresses while logged off, sending keypresses requires interaction with the desktop which is not possible while logged off or while the computer is locked.

If you have not installed System Scheduler as a service, you need to go to the Preferences page, select the Services tab and click the Install Service button, then Start Service.

If you need to be logged in to run a certain application you can configure System Scheduler Professional to login automatically, or unlock the computer automatically. Then run the application and finally logoff or lock the computer again.

Q) Why doesn't System Scheduler send keypresses when the computer is locked?

A) The sending keypresses facility need to interact with the desktop in order to function correctly. When MS Windows is locked or logged off it prevents any application becoming the 'foreground' application, which is required if the application is to receive keypresses. To get around this limitation you should configure System Scheduler Professional to automatically unlock the computer, run the application, then lock the computer again.

Q) How do I backup my events, and/or copy them to another computer?

A) All events are stored in the \EVENTS sub-folder under where you installed the System Scheduler application. You just need to copy the .INI files (there is one .INI file per event). However on the destination computer although you can copy the .INI files into the \EVENTS sub-folder you need to 'signal' System Scheduler to re-read the list of events. You can either do this by running System Scheduler and saving any existing/new event or your can force System Scheduler to re-read the list by copying this file into the \EVENTS sub-folder:

Update.flg

Just create/copy empty files with these names into the EVENTS sub-folder, System Scheduler is setup to regularly check for the presence of update.flg and re-read the list of events if they are there. If System Scheduler is setup correctly you should see that the Update.flg disappears within a few seconds.

Q) Can System Scheduler Professional Auto-Logon the computer when it reboots?

A) Yes. For this to work you need to have 'Start BEFORE Logon' enabled for 9x/Me computers, or System Scheduler installed as a Service for or NT/2000/XP Computers.

Create a new 'Logoff/Logon' computer event, set it to 'Logon Computer' and enter the logon credentials to use. Now, to make this auto-logon happen on boot-up you need to set the 'Schedule' option to the following:

For 95/98/ME computers set to: On Scheduler Start

For NT/2000/XP/2003 computers set to: On Service Start

Both the above scheduling options occur just after the logon box appears. Now reboot the computer to test. Remember: the logon feature is affected by the 'Logon Keypresses' preferences, check the preferences are set correctly for your computer.

Note: For Vista/7 computers Microsoft changed the security model and System Scheduler can not currently do an automatic logon or unlock using the tecnhiques previously used. However System Scheduler has an option in Preferences to turn on Microsoft's own automatic logon feature - this does work for Vista and 7. See Auto Logon Computer for more information.

For more frequently asked questions, visit our website at:

http://www.splinterware.com/forum

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