Booting another application as windows shell

**psyclobe** · 12-26-2003, 02:19 AM

Hi All,

I'm currently trying to boot media engine as the shell of my windows xp computer instead of the default winlogon/explorer combo windows launches by default. You can do this by modifying the registry and telling windows that its in setup mode. You then point to any .exe file as the command line and windows will start it. For all you guys writing your own front ends, I think if you implemented support for such a modification of ones system, you could further reduce start times and remove some of the un-needed overhead which is caused by a general operating system.

Here's how you do it:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
cmdLine = Path to your program
SetupType = 1
SystemSetupInProgress = 1
Delete OsLoaderPath

Note: These settings are reset after the first boot, so any "shell" app written would need to modify these keys on startup as needed.

So I get mediaengine to be executed, but it runs into a problem with the error:

Run-time error 426:

The remote server machine does not exist or is unavailable

What does that mean? I know that in "setup" mode is causing it, but if I could figure out the root meaning of this error, I could possibly find a workaround.

I guess I should set cmd.exe as the shell then try some other steps to debug the problem...

Mediacar gives the following error:

Subscript array out of bounds (Or something close to that)

-Jason

**garfin** · 12-26-2003, 02:57 AM

best way to change the shell would be "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" change the value of shell to the program you plan on using, this should avoid any graphics server errors

**psyclobe** · 12-26-2003, 03:23 AM

Well that certainly looks as if it will work much better-however you still have to login and what not. I think in the hacked setup mode the service manager is not running-thus there may be many key things not initialized which these apps need.

-Jason

**liquid_smoke** · 12-26-2003, 04:28 AM

isnt there a check box inside media engine to make it the default shell instead of explorer? I never checked it, does it work?

**frodobaggins** · 12-26-2003, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by psyclobe

Well that certainly looks as if it will work much better-however you still have to login and what not. I think in the hacked setup mode the service manager is not running-thus there may be many key things not initialized which these apps need.

-Jason

The solution to that is to just set windows up to autologon

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon

Add Values REG_SZ
AutoAdminLogon Value 1
DefaultUserName Value "Your User Name"
DefaultPassword Value "Your Password"

I have also attached a file. just edit the file with your values, change the extension to ".reg" and then you can import it into the registry.

Frodo

**kami333** · 12-26-2003, 08:17 PM

I used Tweak UI to set it up on mine.

**psyclobe** · 12-26-2003, 08:22 PM

Yes, autologon is great and all, but you still go through the logon process. You still have to wait for windows to load your profile, etc. etc. I'm not saying that I can't figure out how to auto boot into a program-thats already there. What I was proposing was a complete bypass of the regular os loading routines-a step in the direction of a stripped down os used purely for media.

-Jason

**Nic** · 12-28-2003, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by psyclobe

Yes, autologon is great and all, but you still go through the logon process. You still have to wait for windows to load your profile, etc. etc. I'm not saying that I can't figure out how to auto boot into a program-thats already there. What I was proposing was a complete bypass of the regular os loading routines-a step in the direction of a stripped down os used purely for media.

-Jason

so how do we make it work?

**psyclobe** · 12-28-2003, 05:13 PM

Donnou, guess we don't ;P

**Magnezium** · 12-28-2003, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by psyclobe

Donnou, guess we don't ;P

I'm not saying this is absolutely the answer, but try windows XP Embedded. You can program it to boot that program as the shell while still keeping all the files needed. Not to mention, it saves lot's of space and boots much faster. Also, if you're REALLY into speed, and you're willing to spend the money, you can use DOC (Disk on Chip) technology and put the operating system and media engine on it, and put a hard disk as well for all your settings and what not.

Just a thought.

Mg.