This Application will allow processes
to be started remotely by another system attached to the same
network. It can even be from a dialup remote access link. It will
also allow a system to be remotely logged off or shutdown. This
is a 32-bit application designed to operate on Windows
9x, ME, NT, 2K, XP. It will NOT operate on 16-bit
Windows 3.x or with the 32-bit Win32s extension to Windows 3.x.
This application is a copyrighted commercial
product which is distributed as shareware. This means that you
may use the program for a reasonable length of time to insure
that it meets your requirements. While we have not included a
"time bomb" to limit the unregistered use of the application;
you are expected to pay a registration fee if you use the application
on a regular basis. The only physical penalty you pay for continued
unregistered usage is the "Nag Screen" which is displayed
when the control panel applet is launched. (We do however provide
our registered users with a higher level of technical support).
Feel free to distribute the RPSSRV.ZIP archive
file to friends and associates. You may also upload it to any
online service, WWW site, or BBS. Please distribute the RPSSRV.ZIP
file only, not the individual files contained therein.
License Information
Two
user registration and diskette $15.00
+ $5.00 shipping,
Two
user registration only, NO DISKETTE $15.00.
Five
user registration only, NO DISKETTE $30.00.
Ten
user registration only, NO DISKETTE $50.00.
Fifty
user registration only, NO DISKETTE $200.00.
100
user registration only, NO DISKETTE $350.00.
500+
user registration only, NO DISKETTE $1500.00.
Also, if you order a diskette along with a ten (or more) user license, we can customize the install program on the diskette to automatically stamp your company or organization name on the installed product. Simply let us know when you place the order if you want this service.
Digital Control Systems
1315 East Castle St. #D3
Murfreesboro, TN 37130-4545
USA
Phone: 1-615-216-6007
Toll free: 1-877-253-8089
FAX: 1-615-413-5089
Email: rpss@digconsys.com
Web site: http://www.digconsys.com
 | Register Remote Process and Shutdown Service ver 1.2.1h online (secure server). We accept American Express, MasterCard and VISA. |
 | The file RPSREG.TXT
may be used as an order form to register the product via fax, mail or email. We accept checks and money orders in
US funds (checks must be drawn on a US or Canadian bank). |
To automatically install Remote Process & Shutdown Service, extract the files from the archive file RPSSRV.ZIP to a temporary subdirectory (folder) or to a diskette. Then execute the program INSTALL.EXE which will automatically install the program files to the appropriate directory for the operating system being used. NOTE: If you are upgrading from a previous version, The install program will attrmpt terminate the currently executing instance of Remote Process & Shutdown Service before running the installation program. If this does not work (the service may be executing a command at the time, or the control panel or client program may be active), you will have to manually kill the current instance. See the Windows 9x, ME and Windows NT, 2K, XP service details of this document for information on how to do this. The installation program will automatically install and start the service. User configurable options may be set using the control panel applet.
The installation program will automatically install and start the service. User configurable options may be set using the control panel applet.
To manually install Remote Process & Shutdown Service, extract the files from the archive file RPSSRV.ZIP to a temporary subdirectory (folder) or to a diskette. Then copy the files into the subdirectory (folder) of your choice. If installing on a Windows NT 3.5x system we suggest using the "Win32app\RemoteProcess" subdirectory (folder). If you are installing on a Windows 9x, ME or Windows NT 4.0, 2K, XP system we suggest using the "Program Files\RemoteProcess" folder .
On a Windows NT, 2K, XP installation, The files "RPNT-DEL.CMD", "YESNO.COM", "RPSS.cpl" and "ShutDn.exe" should be placed in the "Windows\System32" directory. To install and start the service on Windows NT, 2K, XP first execute the file "RshutNT.exe" with a command line option of "-Install". Next, execute the file "RPSSNT.exe" with a command line option of "-Install".
On a Windows 9x, ME installation, the files "RP95-DEL.BAT", "YESNO.COM", "ShutDn.exe" and "RPSS.cpl" should be placed in the "Windows\System" folder. To install and start the service on Windows 9x, ME execute the file "RPSS95.exe" with a command line option of "-Install".
For both platforms, user configurable options may be set using the control panel applet.
The installation program will create an uninstall icon for you unless you chose to not allow the creation of a program group. To manually remove this application from a system follow the instructions below:
Windows NT, 2K, XP:
Execute the batch file RPNT-DEL.CMD with a command line option of C:\win32app\DCS_RemoteProcess or "C:\Program Files\DCS_RemoteProcess" (assuming that this is where you chose to install the application). After this file executes, you will need to manually remove any program groups and icons related to the application.
Windows 9x, ME:
Execute the batch file RP95-DEL.BAT with a command line option of "C:\Program Files\DCS_RemoteProcess" (assuming that this is where you chose to install the application).
After this file executes, you will need to manually remove any program groups and icons related to the application.
The files included in the archive are:
| File name | Purpose |
| RPSS95.exe | The main server app for Windows 9x, ME. |
| RPSS.cpl | Control Panel applet to configure program. |
| RPSC.exe | The client application file. |
| RPSSNT.exe | The remote process server for Windows NT, 2K, XP. |
| RshutNT.exe | The shutdown server for Windows NT, 2K, XP. |
| ShutDn.exe | Stand-alone shutdown executable. |
| RPSREG.TXT | Registration form and instructions. |
| README.TXT | Brief installation instructions. |
| RPSS.WRI | Install and operation information. |
| RPSS.TXT | Brief description of the program. |
| INSTALL.EXE | Installation program. |
| INSTALL.INF | Installation program script file. |
| INSTHELP.DLL | Install and Remote Client DDE module. |
| RPNT-INS.CMD | Batch file to start service on Windows NT, 2K, XP |
| RPNT-DEL.CMD | Batch file to uninstall service on Windows NT, 2K, XP |
| RP95-INS.BAT | Batch file to start service on Windows 9x, ME |
| RP95-DEL.BAT | Batch file to uninstall service on Windows 9x, ME |
| YESNO.COM | File used by the uninstall batch file. |
| *.ICO | Application icons. |
The Remote Process & Shutdown Service installs on Windows 9x, ME & Windows NT, 2K, XP as a true service. It will remain active after a user logoff. A control panel applet is installed to allow for user configuration of shutdown mode and up to 16 remote commands. This control panel applet may be password protected to prevent accidental or unauthorized modifications.
Shutdown modes:
Disable
This selection will disable remote shutdown.
Logoff
This selection will cause the current user to be logged off when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
Shutdown
This selection will cause the system to shutdown when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
Powerdown
This selection will cause the system to power down when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
Reboot
This selection will cause the system to reboot when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
Execute this Command
This selection will cause the system to execute the configured command which can be a batch file which shuts down applications in an orderly manner prior to calling "ShutDN.exe" to actually shutdown or reboot the system. It can also just be "ShutDN.exe". If this method is used in combination with the Require Command_Name option, you can supply the optional command line parameters -Logoff, -Reboot, -Shutdown, -Force, -Quiet, -Show, and -Time: nnn to the remote shutdown command.
Require Command_Name
When checked, this selection will require that the name assigned to the above command must be included on the client's command line in order to actually execute this command. The command is then treated just like other configured remote commands. If unchecked, the above command will execute without requiring the Command_Name from the client. Requiring a Command_Name adds a bit of security, as the Command_Name must be known before an unauthorized or mischievous party can initiate the remote command.
Force
This selection will force applications to close when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated. (This selection is not reliable under Windows 9x, ME)
Time: nnn
The delay time in seconds before the shutdown process actually starts. A value of 0 will force an immediate shutdown process. Note that there must be a space between the word "Time:" and the time digits
Quiet
This selection will inhibit displaying the dialog box which would otherwise allow the remote shutdown process to be aborted before the time-out period
NOTE: a logged on user can stop a remote shutdown by selecting Cancel from the Remote Shutdown warning dialog box which appears when a remote shutdown sequence has been initiated.
Remote Command Configuration:
Up to 16 remote commands may be configured. The applications should be batch or script controlled processes which do not require user interaction. Examples of such applications might be:
Launch a virus scan or disk maintenance program on a remote workstation.
Start a tape backup on a remote workstation.
Send commands to an automation controller attached to a remote workstation.
Start or stop other services on a workstation not configured for remote administration.
Launch any predefined command sequence with or without additional parameters.
Each of the remote commands may be configured to run as a Minimized, or as a Hidden application by checking the appropriate box in the Remote Command dialog box. A previously configured command may be temporarily disabled by checking the Disable box.
The Command Name field is the name you wish to assign to a particular task. This is the command string which will be sent by the client application to initiate the remote process. This command name string is CASE SENSITIVE. The commands named: "MY_COMMAND", "My_Command", and "my_command" would all be interpreted as unique commands. Note the use of the "_" symbol, white space is not permitted inside the Command Name field. An example might be: USER_BACKUP.
The Command Line to Execute field is the actual command to be excuted. It should be entered in the format: "Drive:\Directory\Filename.Ext Option1 Option1 ....". You should always include the full pathname. Do not rely on a path environment being defined. For example a command line such as:
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\NTBackup.exe Backup C:\users /t Normal /v /r /d "Full Backup of users files" /l C:\LOG\LOG.TXT
would start a tape backup of the "C:\users"
directory. If the command line were instead
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\NTbackup.exe
then the backup program would start using whatever command line parameters were passed by the client application.
The Starting Directory field is where to specify what the "current directory" will be for the configured command.
Browse and Test buttons are provided in the Remote Command builder dialog box to help with constructing the remote commands. NOTE: The Test button ignores the Minimized, Hidden, and Disable check boxes. This is because the control panel program directly executes the command rather than sending it to the server. The OK button will save the configured command in the system registry. The Cancel button will discard anything that has been entered.
Application notes:
Some applications will not run properly when directly launched as remote commands by the Windows 9x, ME Remote Process Service (RPSS95.EXE). Two such applications are Norton Antivirus (NAVW32.EXE) and the Windows 9x, ME RUNDLL32.EXE (used to run control panel applets, and also used by some shell extensions). The work around for this is to launch the command from a hidden instance of COMMAND.COM. An example of this would be to use the command line:
C:\command.com /c "C:\Norton Antivirus\navw32.exe" /scan
instead of:
"C:\Norton Antivirus\navw32.exe" /scan
The Client Application:
The client application (RPSC.exe) is a command line program which is used to launch remote applications and to initiate remote logoff/shutdown sequences.You can launch these processes from within batch files, program group icons, or shortcuts.
The command line format for RPSC.exe is:
RPSC \\*<cr> = Shutdown all systems
RPSC \\.<cr> = Shutdown this system
RPSC \\SYSTEM_NAME<cr> = Shutdown \\SYSTEM_NAME
RPSC \\* MY_COMMAND<cr> = Send MY_COMMAND to all systems
RPSC \\. MY_COMMAND<cr> = Send MY_COMMAND to this system
RPSC \\SYSTEM_NAME MY_COMMAND<cr> = Send MY_COMMAND to \\SYSTEM_NAME
The client application (RPSC.exe) is also an interactive Windows application. When it is launched with no command line options (or an incorrect option) a dialog box is displayed which allows interactively building and testing remote commands. Once the command has been tested, clicking on
OK will create a shortcut or a program group icon. You will be asked to enter a folder/group name and a shortcut/icon name if you have not already specified one.
The Group Name field is where the name of the Program Group is entered.
The Icon or Shortcut Name field is where the title to be displayed by the program group item is entered.
The \\SYSTEM_NAME field is where the UNC name for the system to receive the remote command is entered.
The Command Name field is where the predefined remote command name is entered. If this field is left empty, the shutdown command is sent to the remote system(s).
The Optional Command Line Parameters field is where any command line parameters for the remote command are entered.
The Test button will send the command to the system specified by the \\SYSTEM_NAME field. The OK button will create a program group item for the configured command. The Cancel button will discard anything which has been entered.
The Stand-alone shutdown executable "ShutDn.exe".
This file may be used locally or referenced by a remote command. It takes command line parameters of:
-Logoff
This option will cause the current user to be logged off when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
-Shutdown
This option will cause the system to shutdown when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
-Powerdown
This option will cause the system to power down when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
-Reboot
This option will cause the system to reboot when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated.
-Force
This option will force applications to close when a remote shutdown sequence is initiated. (This selection is not reliable under Windows 9x, ME)
-Time: nnn
The delay time in seconds before the shutdown process actually starts. A value of 0 will force an immediate shutdown process. Note that there must be a space between the word "Time:" and the time digits
-Quiet
This option will inhibit displaying the dialog box which would otherwise allow the remote shutdown process to be aborted before the time-out period
-Show
This option will enable displaying the dialog box which will allow the remote shutdown process to be aborted before the time-out period.
If executed with no command line parameters, the default operation is "Shutdown" or the option which has been setup by the Remote Process control panel applet if the service is running on the local system. It is useful if for example the configured Remote Shutdown method is "Logoff", but you wish to be able to also reboot the system remotely. Simply configure a remote command called "Reboot_System" with the Command line of "Shutdn.exe -Reboot". It can also be executed from a remotely launched batch file which performs some required housekeeping functions, then shutdown or reboot the system.
Windows 9x, ME service details:
The Remote Process & Shutdown Service for Windows 9x, ME is provided by the file "RPSS95.exe". The installation program will automatically launch this program with a command line parameter of "-Install". This parameter causes the service to be registered with the system as a service and also starts the service. Once this has been done, the service will run automatically at system startup. A service is different from a typical application in that it does not terminate when a user logs off. The available command line options are:
"-Install" Installs and starts the service.
"-Remove" Stops and removes the service from the system registry.
"-Uninstall" Same as -Remove, but also removes all user parameters.
"-Stop" Stops the service, but does not remove it from the registry.
"-Start" Starts a previously stopped service.
"-Debug" Similar to -Start, but runs as a visible minimized user application.
Windows NT, 2K, XP service details:
The Remote Process & Shutdown Service for Windows NT, 2K, XP is provided by three files because of certain security restrictions on Windows NT, 2K, XP which are not present on Windows 9x, ME.
The Remote Shutdown Service is provided by the file "RshutNT.exe." The file "ShutDn.exe" is launched by the service to actually start the shutdown process. This service is launched
by the installation program with a command line option of "-Install". This option installs and starts the service automatically. The
available command line options for this service are:
"-Install" Installs and starts the service.
"-Remove" Stops and removes the service from the system registry.
"-Debug" Used for troubleshooting only. runs as an application (not as a service).
The Remote Process Service is provided by the file "RPSSNT.exe." This service is launched by the installation program with a command line option of "-Install". This option installs and starts the service automatically. The available command line options for this service are:
"-Install" Installs and starts the service.
"-Remove" Stops and removes the service from the system registry.
"-Uninstall" Same as -Remove, but also removes all user parameters.
"-Debug" Used for troubleshooting only. runs as an application (not as a service).
By default, this service is installed as a "Local System Account" service. This means that any process launched by the service only has access to the "Local System" (No network access). If you need network access from a remotely launched process, you will need to use the "Services" applet in Control Panel to assign the "Remote Process Server" to an account with network access. This is done by highlighting the "Remote Process Server" entry and clicking the "Startup" button. The Control Panel Help file and the "Windows NT, 2K, XP User Guide" can provide more details on how (and why)
to do this. NOTE: the service should be stopped before changing the Startup configuration.
Both of the above services may be Stopped, Paused, Continued, or Started by using the "Services" applet in Control Panel.
You may also use the "net" command, for example: "net stop RemoteProcess".
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