For Genius Only 1

[SenTnel]

Hi!

I'm running Win 2003 Server Enterprise, and Citrix MetaFrame XP FR3 on a dell PowerEdge 2600 server.

This is the mystery:

We use an application named MapInfo MapX that is very delicate about it's license. It happens that once you install the application you cannot reformat the hard drive because you loose the license (US$500.00). You can also loose the license if "the system time had been changed".

If you need to reinstall your applications all we can do is delete the files on the C:\ Drive without formatting. We just did so, and reinstalled all the software again. Everytihing works just fine, when you log as the administrator.

Here is the problem: When I create the users, and log in as a user the software for MapX somehow "reset" and says that the license had expired. But only for the other users, the administrator still can use the software without any problems. No matter if logs in on the system console or access the system from another client.

I don't know if when every other user logs in some setting change (for that user) such as system time, or hardware Id, (which by the way is the security parameter for the software to either expire the license or allow the usage). The users can access all the other software normally (office, acrobat, macromedia MX Studio, etc.), but not MapX.

Any suggestion? Idea? I'm I missing some setting like multiuser, or multitasking or some security issue?

I forgot to mention that it has always worked fine, for all the users, more than 20 at the same time using the very same application. The strange part is that it only expires for the users, but not for the administrator.

Thanks,

Desperate Elvin

 

[ascotta]

I have seen something similar for forms in outlook. Eventually we had to re-install and change permissions in the CLSID of HKCR. If I was you I would run Filemon and regmon from sysinternals to see what is going on. It may be that it just won't work or is even supported in a Citrix environment. Have you spoken to the vendors.

[blue]Arguably the best cat skinner around ! [/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[oisnds]

When you did the reinstall did you run in install mode (change user /install). One of the things this does is create the HKCU registry settings that are needed for some applications in a way that they can be managed for multiple users. If not, the application would only have the registry entries for the user who did the install.

 

[ascotta]

I meant the O/s sorry.

It should write stuff down the HKLM not HKCU. If it writes down HKCU then it won't work and is not written to best practice, and is not a good app.

The keys for multi user stuff go in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurentVersion\Terminal Server\Software\Install\<vendor>

[blue]Arguably the best cat skinner around ! [/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[SenTnel]

>>>When you did the reinstall did you run in install mode (change user /install). <<<

Just did that way, but nothing changed, same outcome, but still I believe this is where the problem resides... the only thing I'm not sure is that I ran the installation as a domain administrator, is there a difference installing as a local administrator or is correct installing as domain administrator?

Also...
>>The keys for multi user stuff go in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurentVersion\Terminal Server\Software\Install\<vendor> <<<<
I restored an old backup to check this keys entrys and also exported them to another disk, so when I finish this installation (the thyrty something...) insert into the registry... Is that OK, or I should not import it?

 

[ascotta]

Domain or local admin is ok.

Its ok to import, as any real disasters can be overwritten by fresh install

[blue]Arguably the best cat skinner around ! [/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[SenTnel]

Clueless !!! Days and nights trying every possible scenario, : Permissions on drives, folders, registry, types of installs (change user /install), as local admin and as domain admin, use file/regmon... and looked for "Access Denied", and looked for registry and files missing patterns, installed win 2003 server and MetaFrame XP so many times that I'm used to already to do it over and over again, and every hour more confused !!!! Guys: PLZ!!! tell me that there's something more to try !!!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[patrickrouse]

Try this:

1. Create a new account, but do not logon.
2. Assign this account to the administrators group
3. change user /install
4. logon as new administrative user
5. Launch application
6. Logout
7. change user /execute

P.S.

1. Why are you using Enterprise Edition w/ Citrix?
2. Have you not contacted MapInfo for help? I looked at their website and they have lots of documentation in their knowledgebase. I especially like the part where it says you need write permissions to the system directories. Doesn't sound like a TS/Citrix friendly program.
3. I'd find out if it's supported in any way, shape or fashion on TS, to CYA.

Patrick Rouse
Microsoft MVP - Terminal Server

http://www.workthin.com