Running some Windows 2000 Servers on VMware. The servers have to be started in a specific order. Also the host machines are not super fast. There are dependent services on each server, the sometimes require other servers to be booted first, and or be up and running before starting the services (intensive services) that sometimes choke if you log in or startup the virtual windows servers too quickly.

What I would like to do is be able to send a message the the user (server console) before the log in screen, or when the log in is requested, that for example " it is now safe to log in and start the next server".

Any ideas... finding alot of information on how to give a message at that log in screen, or after a log in, but I want to send the message before they log in, and be able to control how long it is before they GET that message on the console.

I have tried net send, in a batch file, scheduled task ( at system startup) but I get the message AFTER I log in.. not before.

Any ideas ? thanks in advance

Net Send of course would only be available after you log in, so that's out.

You might have to put the script in a call in the boot.ini file.

Larry

Today seems like a good day to chew through the restraints.

I thought of that too but that's no good if the machine is already on but the user has logged out. I'd say tell him not to login and start the other server until I call him on the phone.

This is really only an issue when they first boot the servers. It is just to give the virtual machines (windows 2000) to get the opertating system, network and services settled before they log in and or move to starting the next virtual machine on that box.

If I put it in the boot.ini file, is it just a CALL ? ideally it would call a batch file, that way I could adjust the amount of time before they get the message to continue on...