Hi,

Generally, when I setup a new computer, I setup the default user, so when each user logs in for the first time, they get a profile that I have already setup. One thing that I really need to be able to do is setup outlook and outlook express with default user also, with the username to be the username they logged in as, and the password to be set when they first run outlook or outlook express. For example, if personx logs in, I would like outlook and outlook express to setup an account for an imap server to be username: personx, password to be changeme, imap server to be mail.mydomain.com, and smtp to be smtp.mydomain.com. Of course personx would be the person logging on. Is this possible to do?

Thanks!

Hi javidrichman...if you're using Microsoft Exchange on a Windows Domain, then it's possible for you to set everyone up wth a username and password and setup the mail account in Outlook (not express).

But to do it all automatically - not possible.
And to do it with POP or IMAP, not entirely possible either

I am not using exchange. I have a unix server running imap and a samba pdc. I have the usernames the same for the unix acounts as I do the samba accounts. It would be nice if I could just use the variable %UserName% or something like that, and then set a null password at first. That way the user could log in, and not have to worry about the server address, their username, etc. just their password.

I personally don't think it's possible - i'll put it to the rest of the techs here and see if one of the guys with more unix/samba experience can find something for you Sit tight.

You might want to look at the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
The following commands:

SET USERNAME=JOHN ;Your Name Here
SET PASSWORD=DOE ;Your Password Here

might do what you want.

As for setting up Microsoft programs, you might look into creating a macro to setup the program login and password. You could call the MS program from within the AUTOEXEC.BAT (perhaps on a delay command) to open the program and run the macro.

Just an idea. I have not tried it myself.

Good Luck...

Not a bad idea mate
That's where that experience comes into play...
However...that leaves your passwords in clear text - so you wouldn't want it to be a very security conscious (spelling) network.

First, you copy your original autoexec.bat file to autoexec.old, then create your username and password commands and other setup commands into the new autoexec.bat file. At the end of the file, add the command to copy the original autoexec.old back to autoexec.bat. This way, once the computer is booted up, the username and password is set and the file removed in the same process thereby minimizing any security issues. Just make sure the computer is physically secure until it is initially booted.

Does that answer your security question?

This posting will self-destruct in 10 seconds...Good Luck, Mr. Felps...I mean Mr. GaRHaR.