"Net use" not working in application that runs as "system"

Question

Hello,
I am trying to create an application object to distribute a program which
during the setup procedure creates two local users on the workstation. I
tried to set up the application to run as an unsecure system user and
start the setup.exe. This method worked fine for quite a number of apps in
the past.
However this app needs a drive mapping to a windows 2003 server to start
the setup.exe. Apparently under windows 2003 it is no longer possible to
use the "net use" command when running a script as system user. I get
system error 1312 "A specified logon session does not exist. It may have
already been terminated". There seems to be no solution from microsoft
since this is probably working as designed.
In another similar situation I copied the complete setup directory to a
novell drive, but in this case the setup procedure needs to write
information into a database located on the windows server. I might be able
to set up the application via snapshot and create the user accounts using
a distribution script. But I would need the consent of the windows
administrators since I need the passwords for those user accounts, and I
am not sure that they are cooperative in this respect. Furthermore I get
the feeling that this program is going to present a number of other
problems and surprises which probably will make the snapshot method very
tricky.
Is there any solution or workaround for this problem?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

1) It should not be an issue to run "Net Use" to authenticate to a Windows
2003 server from an "Unsecure System Prompt". This is quite common.
2) If the PC is in the domain already, this may be part of the issue since
you are already authenticated to the domain. Try adding the Domain
Workstation Object the proper rights.
3) Does the "Setup.exe" expand to an MSI install in the temp directory? In
such a case you could like create an MSI install that runs as a normal user
but the Windows Install will allow for the elevated rights.
Craig Wilson - MCNE, MCSE, CCNA
Novell Support Forums Volunteer Sysop
Novell does not officially monitor these forums.
Suggestions/Opinions/Statements made by me are solely my own.
These thoughts may not be shared either Novell or any rational human.
"Anna Schmitz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:BBvdi.3656$%[email protected]...
> Hello,
>
> I am trying to create an application object to distribute a program which
> during the setup procedure creates two local users on the workstation. I
> tried to set up the application to run as an unsecure system user and
> start the setup.exe. This method worked fine for quite a number of apps in
> the past.
>
> However this app needs a drive mapping to a windows 2003 server to start
> the setup.exe. Apparently under windows 2003 it is no longer possible to
> use the "net use" command when running a script as system user. I get
> system error 1312 "A specified logon session does not exist. It may have
> already been terminated". There seems to be no solution from microsoft
> since this is probably working as designed.
>
> In another similar situation I copied the complete setup directory to a
> novell drive, but in this case the setup procedure needs to write
> information into a database located on the windows server. I might be able
> to set up the application via snapshot and create the user accounts using
> a distribution script. But I would need the consent of the windows
> administrators since I need the passwords for those user accounts, and I
> am not sure that they are cooperative in this respect. Furthermore I get
> the feeling that this program is going to present a number of other
> problems and surprises which probably will make the snapshot method very
> tricky.
>
> Is there any solution or workaround for this problem?
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>