server 2003 question(s)

I've inherited a "problem" on a Server 2003 /WXPPro/W98 network, following
the cessation of trading of the original installers
The network is in a junior school and each year group has it own log on. All
the programs, SHOULD be installed on the server (some will only run
locally), which then "populates" the users desktop with the required
application shortcuts.
I've looked at the server, and the user's desktops are being generated via a
start-up folder which resides in a parent folder on the server called
"Outbound" (don't know if this is a default S2003 folder or installer
created) and is initiated from a start-up "folder redirection" instruction
dialogue in the desktop area of the GP of the
server.

What I am unable to do is save any changes I make to the users desktop,
every time I logged out and back in again the changes had
disappeared. I checked the "do not save settings on exit" in the Desktop
area of GP on the server and it was enabled. No matter what setting I
applied to this feature (enabled, disabled not configured) it had no effect
on the changes made to the user's desktop. Is this because the
user's desktop was being generated from the server at log on and therefore
overriding local changes?

Additions made to the "start-up" folder on the server were remembered OK and
duly appeared on the user's desktop. I ran gpedit.msc on the client
PC's and all the settings were still at "not configured" so, the server must
be controlling the appearance and settings of the client PC's desktop , yes?
If so, where from?

Also, at present all the different users are using the desktop layout re
applications that they can access, how could another user be added who need
a different set of application? Would this be a modification to the to the
original "start up folder" or would it require a new folder, if so how would
this folder be initiated?

Another problem is that not all of the software installed centrally (and run
OK) on the server, will run from the client PC's, some apps just
hang and others ask for a CD even when the network version of the progs have
been installed. I suggested that they contact the software
publishers re this problem.

I hope this is clear as this the first time I have seen Server 2003.

TIA
Mike H

Hi Mike,

As a consideration since this is "inherited", you may want to consider:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;313222
You can do things the way you would have them.

HTH
Wesley

"Mike Hyndman" wrote:

> I've inherited a "problem" on a Server 2003 /WXPPro/W98 network, following
> the cessation of trading of the original installers
> The network is in a junior school and each year group has it own log on. All
> the programs, SHOULD be installed on the server (some will only run
> locally), which then "populates" the users desktop with the required
> application shortcuts.
> I've looked at the server, and the user's desktops are being generated via a
> start-up folder which resides in a parent folder on the server called
> "Outbound" (don't know if this is a default S2003 folder or installer
> created) and is initiated from a start-up "folder redirection" instruction
> dialogue in the desktop area of the GP of the
> server.
>
> What I am unable to do is save any changes I make to the users desktop,
> every time I logged out and back in again the changes had
> disappeared. I checked the "do not save settings on exit" in the Desktop
> area of GP on the server and it was enabled. No matter what setting I
> applied to this feature (enabled, disabled not configured) it had no effect
> on the changes made to the user's desktop. Is this because the
> user's desktop was being generated from the server at log on and therefore
> overriding local changes?
>
> Additions made to the "start-up" folder on the server were remembered OK and
> duly appeared on the user's desktop. I ran gpedit.msc on the client
> PC's and all the settings were still at "not configured" so, the server must
> be controlling the appearance and settings of the client PC's desktop , yes?
> If so, where from?
>
> Also, at present all the different users are using the desktop layout re
> applications that they can access, how could another user be added who need
> a different set of application? Would this be a modification to the to the
> original "start up folder" or would it require a new folder, if so how would
> this folder be initiated?
>
> Another problem is that not all of the software installed centrally (and run
> OK) on the server, will run from the client PC's, some apps just
> hang and others ask for a CD even when the network version of the progs have
> been installed. I suggested that they contact the software
> publishers re this problem.
>
> I hope this is clear as this the first time I have seen Server 2003.
>
> TIA
> Mike H
>
>
>

"Wesley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1A02DBC7-6A42-4DBF-983B-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi Mike,
>
> As a consideration since this is "inherited", you may want to consider:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;313222
> You can do things the way you would have them.
>
> HTH
> Wesley
Hello Wesley,

The Head at the school had considered doing some form of reset, (don't know
where) but he reasoned that a "half working" network is better than no
network. Many thanks for the link info.

Regards
MH