Can you program a key to shut down windows correctly?

workaccount

Hi,
We have machines here with no keyboard and when they need to be rebooted by the non-IT the power button is used.

Is there anyway to program a key (we have special keyboards) to shut down windows correctly.

Also of note is that we don't run explorer on these machines.

Thanks.

Tallon

What kind of special keyboard?
And what are you running?

Overheal

You can disable the Power Button in the control panel as an administrator. you can also change what the power button does. most already perform a safe shutdown. only users stupid enough (or lazy enough) to hold it down will actually cut it off.

Webmonkey

Can you not place a short cut on the desktop or anything.

Like mentioned above, what are these machines running and what are the special keyboards.

Rebel021

Could you not use a docking programme to do it like rocketdock which you can add a power down docklett

Bob_Harris

With Keyboard Layout Manager you can edit layouts.

I see they have add an application called KLM Macro Key.

You could simply make a certain key on the keyboard perform the 3 key strokes to turn off a computer, which is Windows Key (super) + u + u.

Overheal

Webmonkey wrote: »

Can you not place a short cut on the desktop or anything.

There is a way to run DOS Command Prompt macros by using desktop shortcuts. I cant remember how I set it up (d'oh!) but I use one to turn my wireless internet on/off on the desktop.

the 'code' you want is this: http://www.astahost.com/info.php/Shut-Restart-Log-Xp-Batch-File_t3715.html but calling it code is an insult to C/C++

Batch file creation is easy enough. Just google the how to's and you'll have one up inside of 5 minutes: http://www.computerhope.com/batch.htm

You can then leave it (or a shortcut to it) sitting on the desktop. When a user clicks into it, it will begin the shutdown/sleep/hibernate/logoff procedure, based on which one you have it set up to do.

In the end game though it seems asinine why they cant just do this from the start menu

Bob_Harris

workaccount wrote: »

Also of note is that we don't run explorer on these machines.

Do you mean Windows Explorer is not running, and there is no desktop and start menu?

cherryghost

you could use a macro program, assign a rarely used button (e.g. F10/F11). basically you record what buttons are pressed, (e.g. Press Windows key, release windows key, right, enter, right, enter... or whatever series of buttons can shut a pc down) and assign it all onto one key

cance

do they have mice? if so place a batch file on the desktop.

need more info to be of any help.

Blowfish

There are some...overcomplicated methods mentioned in this thread.

All you need to do is create a new shortcut (doesn't matter where you put it), right click on it, go to properties, change the target to be 'shutdown -r' and the shorcut key to whatever you want.

Overheal wrote: »

the 'code' you want is this: http://www.astahost.com/info.php/Shut-Restart-Log-Xp-Batch-File_t3715.html but calling it code is an insult to C/C++

Definitely, as all it does is run the shutdown application in c:\windows\system32.

workaccount

Blowfish wrote: »

There are some...overcomplicated methods mentioned in this thread.

All you need to do is create a new shortcut (doesn't matter where you put it), right click on it, go to properties, change the target to be 'shutdown -r' and the shorcut key to whatever you want.

It's not letting me enter shutdown - r as a target. "The name shutdown is not valid" or something to that effect.

Do I not need to call some exe via the target with an argument?

Webmonkey

workaccount wrote: »

It's not letting me enter shutdown - r as a target. "The name shutdown is not valid" or something to that effect.

Do I not need to call some exe via the target with an argument?

Create new shortcut: %windir%\system32\shutdown.exe -r

workaccount

Webmonkey wrote: »

Create new shortcut: %windir%\system32\shutdown.exe -r

Grrr turns out Win2k doesn't have shutdown.exe.

Testing it here on an XP machine now - unfortunately as expected the shortcut function is not working without explorer. Works great with it on.

Webmonkey

workaccount wrote: »

Grrr turns out Win2k doesn't have shutdown.exe.

Testing it here on an XP machine now - unfortunately as expected the shortcut function is not working without explorer. Works great with it on.

I think on 2000, you must install the resource kit - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927229

workaccount

Webmonkey wrote: »

I think on 2000, you must install the resource kit - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927229

Yeah I read that. Might not be feasible with the amount of machines we have though. Never know though. Need to get around the explorer issue first. Anyways I'll take it from here.

Thanks for help guys.

cance

workaccount wrote: »

Yeah I read that. Might not be feasible with the amount of machines we have though. Never know though. Need to get around the explorer issue first. Anyways I'll take it from here.

Thanks for help guys.

try just copying shutdown.exe from an xp machine to 2000, IIRC it works fine.

Or maybe put it on a network share?

A