Sending message to user logged on for certain amount of time

[gbl]

We run a windows 2000 server with mainly windows 2000 professional workstations. We ask all users to logoff and reboot their computers each day. We ask them to leave the computers on (but logged off) to allow norton updates overnight. I also want to implement the SUS (System update service) from Microsoft to perform updates automatically nightly at 3am. One user, regularly fails to close out his programs and log off no matter how often I remind him. While I could probably remotely log him off, shutting down one of the programs could, if not properly shut down, corrupt a database.

Does any one have any suggestion for effectively managing this user? I was thinking of setting up a message politely reminding him to log off and reboot if the amount of cpu time or logon time exceeded some threshold, but I have no idea how this could be done.

Thanks

 

[Tom70]

Couldn't you use scheduled tasks to run a text file(I tried but couldn't get it to run because of password problems according to scheduled tasks)? Does forcing log-off close programs? local computer policy snap-in has many options.

 

[hewissa]

There is a remote shut down tool in the 2000 Resource kit that you can use to close the programs, logoff the user and shut the computer down. You can set a timer on the tool to shut him down in say 4 hours (240 mins) after you leave or something and it will send him a message as a reminder...if he forgets the tool will close out.

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW

 

[hewissa]

Info on the Resource Kit is here, the shut down tool is called shutdown.exe:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/rktour/server/S_tools.asp#S

Hewissa

MCSE, CCNA, CIW