Backgrounding Command Prompt and Running at Login for Domain Users

Question

Intro

I have a Topaz eSignature pad that I have connected to a fat client PC to sign reports inside of a terminal session running on a remote server. I have it working so it will sign the reports on the server, but it requires a command prompt to be constantly running on the client-side.

Problem

I am hoping to hide this command prompt and have it run at login for users logging into the domain on PCs. I would also like to be able to "refresh" the command every so often to prevent it form locking up*

Background Info

Here is a general rundown of how this signature pad works with RDP and Citrix sessions (I will include the full PDF of instructions for those who are interested):

• install client-side sigsock.exe
• install server-side sigsock
• put .INI file (with unique username and server IP) in the user's C:\Usersusernamegoeshere\Windows folder on the server
• run command prompt on client (runs the client sigsock.exe and tells it where to connect)
• Setup Guide for Topaz eSig Pad over RDP or Citrix Session

The command that is run in the command prompt on the client looks like this:

c:\sigsock.exe server IP address unique user name 6

I assume this can be done via group policy, but I am new to .BATs/Scripts and GPO settings.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Use start in your batch file. The command prompt will still flash, but else it'll run in the background:

start /min C:\sigsock.exe ...

Answer 2

There is a utility call runhide a sysadmin I know uses for that kind of thing.

I would probably try psexec and run the command. With psexec you can specify what session you want to run the command in (i.e. interactive session, console session, a different session so the user doesn't see the command being run, etc).