Computer Management Tool

[spudw2k]

Here's a little tool I put together (basically a gui for shortcuts) to help make my job easier. It's nothing special, but offers quick access to Hardware information, Computer Management, Remote Desktop, Network Browse. It's not perfect, or optimized, but it works.

Some nice features are:

• Hostname checking
• Enable remote desktop remotely (but not on Windows 2000)
• Recent host list

WinManV03.au3

[JustinReno]

It's nice! I like it alot, keep up the work!

[GreNME]

Not too shabby, but the "System Info" button does nothing for me when I click it.

Also, from a domain admin point of view, it might not be a bad idea to be able to send a query to the DC and get a listing of all possible computers on the domain. Unfortunately, this would require querying a specific OU or an assigned OU, but that shouldn't be very difficult to create.

As I learn more about how to script in au3 I might give that a try using this as a template. Thanks!

[spudw2k]

Good suggestion. I'm also working on a tool that utilizes psexec to remotely execute programs and scripts. I'm designing it to look and feel like RemoteExec. Here's some code I made for it that queries the domain for hosts using LDAP. A listview is produced and selected entries are returned.

expandcollapse popup

#include <Array.au3>
#include <GuiTreeView.au3>

Func BrowseHosts($debug = False)
    $domain = GetRootDSE()
    $arrComputers = GetComputers($domain)
    $arrSelectedHosts = DispComputers($arrComputers)
    If $debug <> False Then _ArrayDisplay($arrSelectedHosts)
    Return $arrSelectedHosts
EndFunc

Func GetComputers($domainname)
    $objComputers = ObjGet("LDAP://CN=Computers," & $domainname)
    local $strComputers
    For $obj In $objComputers
        $strComputers = $strComputers & $obj.Name & ","
    Next
    $obj = 0
    $objComputers = 0
    $strComputers = StringLeft($strComputers,StringLen($strComputers)-1)
    $strComputers = StringReplace($strComputers,"CN=","")
    $arrComputers = StringSplit($strComputers,",")
    _ArrayDelete($arrComputers,0)
    _ArraySort($arrComputers)
    Return $arrComputers
EndFunc

Func GetRootDSE()
    $RootDSE = ObjGet("LDAP://RootDSE")
    Return $RootDSE.get( "DefaultNamingContext" )
EndFunc

Func DispComputers($arrComputers)
    Dim $tTreeArr[1]
    $tGui = GUICreate("Browse for Hosts",250,320,-1,-1,"","")
    $tTree = GUICtrlCreateTreeView(5,5,235,258,BitOr(256,55))
    $tSelectAll = GUICtrlCreateButton("Select All",85,270,75,20)
    $tDeSelectAll = GUICtrlCreateButton("Deselect All",165,270,75,20)
    $tOKBtn = GUICtrlCreateButton("OK",5,270,75,20)
        GUICtrlSetState(-1,$GUI_FOCUS)
    
    For $i = 0 to UBound($arrComputers) - 1
        $tTreeArr[$i] = GUICtrlCreateTreeViewItem($arrComputers[$i],$tTree)
        ReDim $tTreeArr[$i + 2]
    Next
    
    $tVarTreeCount = _GUICtrlTreeViewGetCount($tTree)
    GUISetState(@SW_SHOW,$tGui)
    
    While 1
        
        $msg = GUIGetMsg()
        
        If $msg = $tSelectAll Then
            For $i = 0 to $tVarTreeCount - 1
                GUICtrlSetState($tTreeArr[$i],$GUI_CHECKED)
            Next
        EndIf
        
        If $msg = $tDeSelectAll Then
            For $i = 0 to $tVarTreeCount - 1
                GUICtrlSetState($tTreeArr[$i],$GUI_UNCHECKED)
            Next
        EndIf
        
        If $msg = $tOKBtn Then
            Local $tStrSelectedHosts
            For $i = 0 to $tVarTreeCount - 1
                If BitAnd(GUICtrlRead($tTreeArr[$i]),$GUI_CHECKED) Then
                    $tStrSelectedHosts = $tStrSelectedHosts & GUICtrlRead($tTreeArr[$i],1) & ","
                EndIf
            Next
            GUIDelete($tGui)
            $tArrSelectedHosts = StringSplit($tStrSelectedHosts,",")
            _ArrayDelete($tArrSelectedHosts,0)
            _ArrayDelete($tArrSelectedHosts,UBound($tArrSelectedHosts)-1)
            Return $tArrSelectedHosts
        EndIf
        
    WEnd
EndFunc

_ArrayDisplay(BrowseHosts())

[GreNME]

Very nice. I'm wondering, though, if it's possible to utilize the Remote Assistance function instead of Remote Desktop. I know the executables for the app are %WINDIR%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\Helpsvc.exe and %WINDIR%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\Helpctr.exe, but I don't know how to call them and input the target information without calling up the Help Center first. I don't know enough about whether the Windows components have user-definable parameters when functioning outside of the Help Center interface.

This would be a good way to 'tweak' your app to have the ability to remotely connect and share the desktop with a user, which can be handy in a support scenario. I'm going to see what I can find out.

Edit to add: by the way, the Vista Remote Assistance is a standalone tool instead of incorporated in the Help Center. This means that it will be easier to include it in scripts that would call on it. That's something to keep in mind for later, since the most common instances of help right now will be on XP workstations.

Edited September 19, 2007 by GreNME

[paullab]

Good suggestion. I'm also working on a tool that utilizes psexec to remotely execute programs and scripts. I'm designing it to look and feel like RemoteExec.

have a look at this post for a starting point <http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=36245>

[ptrex]

@GreNME

A good alternative (which I use and install on each PC) is the free and secure LogMeIn - Free edition

Give you access to each PC through a webbrowser. So no Firewall headackes.

Just a tip.

Regards

ptrex

[GreNME]

@GreNME

A good alternative (which I use and install on each PC) is the free and secure LogMeIn - Free edition

Give you access to each PC through a webbrowser. So no Firewall headackes.

Meh, I already use a Citrix-based service (Goto-meeting, pc, etc) for remote offices and users who are travelling. What I'm looking for is a way to simplify the in-house connections. There is no need to have two systems that reside in the same building using the same internet connection to be using an outside source to facilitate a remote connection between the two. RA works splendidly inside the subnet.

[spudw2k]

Now my interest is peaked. I haven't used Remote Assistance much but I'm sure there's got to be a way to script it as an object. Investigating....

[ptrex]

@GreNME

OK I see you have already a solution from Citrix.

But the disadvantage from using RD is that the users get's to logoff when you connect.

So he can't see what you are doing.

I some cases you want him to see what you are doing and than RD is not OK.

So I use LogMeIn that keeps the screen going.

Regards

ptrex

[caboose]

Awesome stuff! I find my self adding more and more buttons using your script as an example. Is there anyway to turn the recent list into a list that is pulled from an .ini or better yet the ability to save recent computers and give them an alias and have them for future sessions? I know I'm asking alot, but I'm lost on the ini stuff.

[GreNME]

@GreNME

OK I see you have already a solution from Citrix.

But the disadvantage from using RD is that the users get's to logoff when you connect.

So he can't see what you are doing.

I some cases you want him to see what you are doing and than RD is not OK.

So I use LogMeIn that keeps the screen going.

No, I use Remote Assistance, not Remote Desktop. Allowing RA and the firewall settings for it are easy to push out through Group Policy. It works like a charm, allows the user to show me what they mean while I'm connected, and gives me the ability to be working on something else at the same time. No need to have them send a request file or anything, it just asks which computer I want to connect to, tells me who is logged on, and gives me the option to connect and share the desktop with them. It's basically exactly the same interface as the web-based Citrix solutions, but works faster because it's only over the local subnet.

The only problem I have with it is that I have to go through the Help Center to get to the screen to offer remote assistance. I want to see if there's a way to shorten the path I have to take to get connected. Vista solves this by offering a separate executable for RA, but on XP you still have to go through the Help Center interface to access it.

[ptrex]

@GreNME

OK. I see both have advantages.

I mainly use LogMeIn because I can reach the desktops (and servers) from wherever I am.

If I am abroad (which happens a lot) or the user is out (which happens a lot as well.

I can still get in touch with his PC and help them out.

If you get your thing going let me know so I can give it a try.

Regards,

ptrex

[ptrex]

@GreNME

OK. I see both have advantages.

I mainly use LogMeIn because I can reach the desktops (and servers) from wherever I am.

If I am abroad (which happens a lot) or the user is out (which happens a lot as well.

I can still get in touch with his PC and help them out.

If you get your thing going let me know so I can give it a try.

Regards,

ptrex

[spudw2k]

Looking a bit more into the Remote Assistance stuff. It seems to be mostly web driven. I should be able to pull most of the code from the pages in "C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\System\Remote Assistance\" and get an idea of how it works. I found an interesting article that talks about modifying some of those pages to allow automatic approval to take control of the remote system.

[GreNME]

Looking a bit more into the Remote Assistance stuff. It seems to be mostly web driven. I should be able to pull most of the code from the pages in "C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\System\Remote Assistance\" and get an idea of how it works. I found an interesting article that talks about modifying some of those pages to allow automatic approval to take control of the remote system.

I knew about it the interface being basically a web page and where it was located, but I didn't know about that link you gave. Very cool! That may just solve the problem I was foreseeing with it.

[funkydrummer]

do you have the autoit script for logmein? i would like to use it for friends and family to help them. Thanks

[spudw2k]

No, I have not use the software and haven't made any scripts to work with letmein

[ptrex]

@all

Maybe you can use this one :

LogMeIn

regards

ptrex