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Have you seen this software?


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Posted

I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the

monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want

the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

server).

 

LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is shown

again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on disconnects,

it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody may be

monitoring the location.

 

I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

 

It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

 

Seen anything that can do that?

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Guest R. McCarty
Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

It's a little difficult to understand your intent. Are the Servers ever

accessed with a local/interactive login ? Also the servers are in a

accessible location and not in a Server Closet or secured area ?

 

What about installing a KVM and select a "Null" tap to keep the

monitor blank ?

 

"jim" <jim@home.net> wrote in message

news:JDXri.16101$P32.3962@bignews5.bellsouth.net...

>I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

>monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the

>monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want

>the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

>server).

>

> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is

> shown again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on

> disconnects, it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody

> may be monitoring the location.

>

> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

>

> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>

> Seen anything that can do that?

>

Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

The servers are at a client location and *are* in an area accessible by the

employees - even right next to 2 of them.

 

The employees have learned to look for any activity onscreen that indicates

that a district manager or the owner may be online and capable of monitoring

their actions.

 

I have suggested (strongly) that the servers be placed in locked areas away

from the employees or that the monitors be removed altogether.

 

Failing either of those options (and there are no KVMs present) I thought

that something like the screen blanking that LogMeIn can do would be the

perfect solution. It simply blanks the screen.

 

Unfortunately, when you log off with LogMeIn, the screen shows the login

again. It remains until you log in again, at which time the employees know

"you are there".

 

LogMeIn installs something called "DPMS-enabled monitor drivers" to enable

Windows to turn off the monitor. I would distribute these and write a

little app to control them myself, but I can't find where to get them or any

API info on using them.

 

:|

 

 

 

"R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message

news:uku0vtB1HHA.1484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> It's a little difficult to understand your intent. Are the Servers ever

> accessed with a local/interactive login ? Also the servers are in a

> accessible location and not in a Server Closet or secured area ?

>

> What about installing a KVM and select a "Null" tap to keep the

> monitor blank ?

>

> "jim" <jim@home.net> wrote in message

> news:JDXri.16101$P32.3962@bignews5.bellsouth.net...

>>I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

>>monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable

>>the monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t

>>want the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

>>server).

>>

>> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is

>> shown again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on

>> disconnects, it shows the login which clues the employees in that

>> somebody may be monitoring the location.

>>

>> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

>>

>> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>>

>> Seen anything that can do that?

>>

>

>

Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

Hi,

 

I assume you are using windows xp pro for your servers?

 

I would suggest you consider switching to 2003. That way

as long as a non-console Remote Desktop connection is made

there would no change to the server's screen.

 

-TP

 

jim wrote:

> I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote

> server's monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want

> to disable the monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more

> secure (I don;t want the users at the location to be able to see what

> is happening on the server).

>

> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is

> shown again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on

> disconnects, it shows the login which clues the employees in that

> somebody may be monitoring the location.

>

> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose

> otherwise.

>

> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>

> Seen anything that can do that?

Guest R. McCarty
Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

Thanks for the details, seemed a little unusual for Servers to be

out in a accessible location. About the only suggestion I could

offer would be to remove the monitors and only allow interactive

login via a Remote Desktop session from another PC in the office.

I would think that just knowing someone could monitor activities

would be enough to temper company use of computers...

 

If you do come up with a solution let us know how you resolved

it.

 

"jim" <jim@home.net> wrote in message

news:TSYri.10253$x72.803@bignews1.bellsouth.net...

> The servers are at a client location and *are* in an area accessible by

> the employees - even right next to 2 of them.

>

> The employees have learned to look for any activity onscreen that

> indicates that a district manager or the owner may be online and capable

> of monitoring their actions.

>

> I have suggested (strongly) that the servers be placed in locked areas

> away from the employees or that the monitors be removed altogether.

>

> Failing either of those options (and there are no KVMs present) I thought

> that something like the screen blanking that LogMeIn can do would be the

> perfect solution. It simply blanks the screen.

>

> Unfortunately, when you log off with LogMeIn, the screen shows the login

> again. It remains until you log in again, at which time the employees

> know "you are there".

>

> LogMeIn installs something called "DPMS-enabled monitor drivers" to enable

> Windows to turn off the monitor. I would distribute these and write a

> little app to control them myself, but I can't find where to get them or

> any API info on using them.

>

> :|

>

>

>

> "R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message

> news:uku0vtB1HHA.1484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> It's a little difficult to understand your intent. Are the Servers ever

>> accessed with a local/interactive login ? Also the servers are in a

>> accessible location and not in a Server Closet or secured area ?

>>

>> What about installing a KVM and select a "Null" tap to keep the

>> monitor blank ?

>>

>> "jim" <jim@home.net> wrote in message

>> news:JDXri.16101$P32.3962@bignews5.bellsouth.net...

>>>I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

>>>monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable

>>>the monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t

>>>want the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

>>>server).

>>>

>>> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is

>>> shown again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on

>>> disconnects, it shows the login which clues the employees in that

>>> somebody may be monitoring the location.

>>>

>>> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose

>>> otherwise.

>>>

>>> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>>>

>>> Seen anything that can do that?

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

I found some VB.Net code (http://www.codeproject.com/useritems/Monitors.asp)

that is supposed to work, but testing it on my machine showed no change in

monitor status.

 

I'll keep looking......

 

 

 

 

"R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message

news:OTu0$RC1HHA.4344@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Thanks for the details, seemed a little unusual for Servers to be

> out in a accessible location. About the only suggestion I could

> offer would be to remove the monitors and only allow interactive

> login via a Remote Desktop session from another PC in the office.

> I would think that just knowing someone could monitor activities

> would be enough to temper company use of computers...

>

> If you do come up with a solution let us know how you resolved

> it.

>

> "jim" <jim@home.net> wrote in message

> news:TSYri.10253$x72.803@bignews1.bellsouth.net...

>> The servers are at a client location and *are* in an area accessible by

>> the employees - even right next to 2 of them.

>>

>> The employees have learned to look for any activity onscreen that

>> indicates that a district manager or the owner may be online and capable

>> of monitoring their actions.

>>

>> I have suggested (strongly) that the servers be placed in locked areas

>> away from the employees or that the monitors be removed altogether.

>>

>> Failing either of those options (and there are no KVMs present) I thought

>> that something like the screen blanking that LogMeIn can do would be the

>> perfect solution. It simply blanks the screen.

>>

>> Unfortunately, when you log off with LogMeIn, the screen shows the login

>> again. It remains until you log in again, at which time the employees

>> know "you are there".

>>

>> LogMeIn installs something called "DPMS-enabled monitor drivers" to

>> enable Windows to turn off the monitor. I would distribute these and

>> write a little app to control them myself, but I can't find where to get

>> them or any API info on using them.

>>

>> :|

>>

>>

>>

>> "R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message

>> news:uku0vtB1HHA.1484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>> It's a little difficult to understand your intent. Are the Servers ever

>>> accessed with a local/interactive login ? Also the servers are in a

>>> accessible location and not in a Server Closet or secured area ?

>>>

>>> What about installing a KVM and select a "Null" tap to keep the

>>> monitor blank ?

>>>

>>> "jim" <jim@home.net> wrote in message

>>> news:JDXri.16101$P32.3962@bignews5.bellsouth.net...

>>>>I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

>>>>monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable

>>>>the monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t

>>>>want the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on

>>>>the server).

>>>>

>>>> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is

>>>> shown again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on

>>>> disconnects, it shows the login which clues the employees in that

>>>> somebody may be monitoring the location.

>>>>

>>>> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose

>>>> otherwise.

>>>>

>>>> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>>>>

>>>> Seen anything that can do that?

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

Guest Leythos
Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

In article <JDXri.16101$P32.3962@bignews5.bellsouth.net>, jim@home.net

says...

> I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

> monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the

> monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want

> the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

> server).

>

> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is shown

> again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on disconnects,

> it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody may be

> monitoring the location.

>

> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

>

> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>

> Seen anything that can do that?

 

If you use Remote Desktop they can't see what you are doing - since you

should be doing this via VPN you can use RD to as many servers as you

want.

 

 

--

 

Leythos

- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.

- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a

drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"

spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

Guest Swifty
Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

> Seen anything that can do that?

 

I have a combination which may work. I presume that you can TELNET or

SSH into the server. There is a utility "wizmo" from Gibson Research

which if used with the "blank" option starts the screensaver. I have my

screensaver set to "blank" and the option to require a password when

coming out ot screensaver. There are probably other utilities that

"wizmo" - some people dislike Gibson Research stuff.

 

I think this combination would do the job. Wizmo can do other stuff,

such as putting the display in power-saving mode, so you could save your

client a few pennies on their electricity bill while you were about it.

 

So you can put the display in screensaver mode, and put it in standby mode.

 

--

Steve Swift

http://www.swiftys.org.uk/swifty.html

http://www.ringers.org.uk

Guest Singapore Web Design
Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

Hello,

 

I don't understand what exactly you are asking, but check out Wizmo and see

if it is what you are looking for

http://www.grc.com/wizmo/wizmo.htm

 

--

Singapore Web Design

http://www.bootstrike.com/Webdesign/

Singapore Web Hosting

http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/faq.html

Windows XP FAQ

 

"jim" <jim@home.net> wrote in message

news:JDXri.16101$P32.3962@bignews5.bellsouth.net...

>I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

>monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the

>monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want

>the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

>server).

>

> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is

> shown again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on

> disconnects, it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody

> may be monitoring the location.

>

> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

>

> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>

> Seen anything that can do that?

>

Guest Bruce Chambers
Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

jim wrote:

> I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

> monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the

> monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want

> the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

> server).

>

> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is shown

> again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on disconnects,

> it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody may be

> monitoring the location.

>

> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

>

> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>

> Seen anything that can do that?

>

>

 

 

Why not use just the password-protected screen saver? One of the

built-in selections is a blank screen.

 

 

--

 

Bruce Chambers

 

Help us help you:

http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

 

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

Posted

Re: Have you seen this software?

 

Because (and this has been suggested by others) the screen changes to a

login screen on logging off. This gives you away when they can see the

screen. And, if you log in again before the blank screen saver kicks in,

you give yourself away before you can observe what is going on.

 

I just want to be able to turn off the local monitor programatically and

have it stay off until I turn it back on.

 

So, not only will I need to send the right message to Windows, I'll need to

capture any messages from windows that may change the monitor's state and

block them until it is safe to allow the monitor to return to its normal

mode.

 

 

 

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message

news:up1kaVK1HHA.5884@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> jim wrote:

>> I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's

>> monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable

>> the monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t

>> want the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the

>> server).

>>

>> LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is

>> shown again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on

>> disconnects, it shows the login which clues the employees in that

>> somebody may be monitoring the location.

>>

>> I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

>>

>> It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

>>

>> Seen anything that can do that?

>

>

> Why not use just the password-protected screen saver? One of the built-in

> selections is a blank screen.

>

>

> --

>

> Bruce Chambers

>

> Help us help you:

> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

>

> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

>

> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand

> Russell


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