A new feature has been added to the standard build process that will provide onscreen information valuable to the help desk.

The new image includes a new BGInfo feature.  Fresh builds from our Image will have key troubleshooting information integrated onto the wallpaper on their desktop.  This will be completely new for customers in the {Location 1}, {Location 2}, and will be an updated look-and-feel for the customers in {Pilot Location}, who have been using BGInfo for the past {TimeSpan of Pilot}.

The information is designed to refresh at every login by way of a registry key, and can additionally be refreshed by the keystroke combination {CTRL-ALT-R}, and/or the Shortcut "Refresh BGInfo Screen" in the accessories folder off the Start Menu.

The displayed information is designed to expedite help desk calls, providing key information about the system clearly displayed on the desktop.

End users may still change their wallpaper, and the information will be automatically overlaid on the wallpaper at the next reboot.  Administrative End Users will update not only their wallpaper, but the login screen and the default user as well.  Non-Administrative users will only update their own wallpaper.

A utility to add BGInfo to machines that were previously built has also been created, and will be provided to any facility that would like to add or update this feature to their standing population, but doing so will require additional communication to your customers prior to implementation.

We would ask that you encourage your customers to appreciate the value of this change, but in the event you have a legitimate request to disable this feature (for example: your end user provides presentations to externally facing customers), an administrator can delete the following registry value from the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Key :  "BGInfo" .  After the registry value is deleted, the end user may change their wallpaper as desired and the information will no longer refresh regularly.


Technical Implementation Information:
BGInfo is a freeware executable provided by SysInternals (SysInternals is owned by Microsoft).
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897557.aspx
The configuration files are placed within the $OEM section of the build server, and copied to the PC during the Imaging Process.  In the presence of these files, the BGInfo feature is implemented.  Upon implementation, the registry key and shortcut in the accessories directory are created.  Because the implementation occurs before a reboot during the build process, the next reboot updates the default and login wallpapers.  Subsequent administrative logins will also update this information.  If your facility would like to add information to the screen, please contact {Who To contact; Contact Info}

This feature will be phased into the build process on a per build server basis over the next two months.

{Update | Date | Reason for update}