How to make it start minimized (in SysTray) ?

Message boards : BOINC Manager : How to make it start minimized (in SysTray) ?
Message board moderation

To post messages, you must log in.

AuthorMessage
Han Solo

Send message
Joined: 8 Nov 05
Posts: 1
Germany
Message 861 - Posted: 8 Nov 2005, 23:56:39 UTC
Last modified: 9 Nov 2005, 0:04:52 UTC

Hi,

I have Version 5.2.6 (WinXP) and it always starts in 'window-mode' (I see the Manager on my Desktop and have to minimize it manually). How can I avoid this? I didn't find this info anywhere...
EDIT: I think I'm blind, I just found another thread with this problem and something I could try (" /s "). Maybe this will help...

And another thing that looks a bit strange: when I shutdown my computer I often see a small window telling me that some application crashed. Unfortunately this window disappeares withing a fraction of a second, so I'm not sure about this, but the first time I've seen it was after I installed the BOINC-manager.

And since I'm writing already: I've just read some comments here about that the BOINC-manager is not very user-friendly and confusing. Unfortunately I can only agree on this, but I don't want to start another thread about this topic here. But please, you (the creators of this great project) should reconsider if this all could not be solved a bit easier.
(And comments like "it's open-source, so you can contribute yourself" and "you can leave whenever you want" are not very helpful for obvious reasons.)
ID: 861 · Report as offensive
Iridian

Send message
Joined: 31 Oct 05
Posts: 7
Netherlands
Message 869 - Posted: 9 Nov 2005, 19:36:22 UTC - in response to Message 861.  

Hi,

I have Version 5.2.6 (WinXP) and it always starts in 'window-mode' (I see the Manager on my Desktop and have to minimize it manually). How can I avoid this? I didn't find this info anywhere...
EDIT: I think I'm blind, I just found another thread with this problem and something I could try (" /s "). Maybe this will help...


For me /s didn't solve this problem.

And another thing that looks a bit strange: when I shutdown my computer I often see a small window telling me that some application crashed. Unfortunately this window disappeares withing a fraction of a second, so I'm not sure about this, but the first time I've seen it was after I installed the BOINC-manager.


I also had this problem. To avoid it right click the Boinc manager in the system tray and close the manager before shutting down windows.


ID: 869 · Report as offensive
Jim K
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 8 Sep 05
Posts: 168
Message 870 - Posted: 9 Nov 2005, 21:09:50 UTC

My guess would be to not have it start at boot....
BOINC Wiki
ID: 870 · Report as offensive
ABT Chuck P

Send message
Joined: 30 Oct 05
Posts: 3
United States
Message 906 - Posted: 13 Nov 2005, 19:56:16 UTC - in response to Message 861.  

Hi,

I have Version 5.2.6 (WinXP) and it always starts in 'window-mode' (I see the Manager on my Desktop and have to minimize it manually). How can I avoid this? I didn't find this info anywhere...
EDIT: I think I'm blind, I just found another thread with this problem and something I could try (" /s "). Maybe this will help...

On my machines, I found that there are too many items trying to start at once. I found a freebie file called delayexec.exe and used it to start boincmngr using a delay of 60(seconds). Rather than run boincmngr from startup, run delayexec from there. Or you can remember to start it manually once the system is up. You still have to use the /s to start it minimised.
ID: 906 · Report as offensive
mistakeprone

Send message
Joined: 4 Dec 05
Posts: 7
United States
Message 1627 - Posted: 7 Dec 2005, 3:19:31 UTC
Last modified: 7 Dec 2005, 3:20:43 UTC

I am having a different problem that I think is related.

I have Win XP Pro, SP1. I have BOINC set up to run for all users of this computer (and only this computer), and BOINC is currently set up to start at boot-up and to always run.

When I turn on my computer, the BoincMgr icon goes into the SysTray and it appears in the taskbar. After I maximize the Mgr program, I cannot do anything with it -- all side-menu items are grayed out because it is not connected to any computers or projects. Also, I cannot close the window with the X in the upper right. The only way I can find to change its status is by "Exit"ing from the File menu. When I exit, the program closes and the icon disappears from the System Tray. After I restart the program (from the file directory), all my project connections appear and the program works as intended.

I suspect my problems probably could be avoided if the program did not load quite so early in the Windows startup sequence. Any advice on how to do this (other than using delayexec.exe)?
mistakeprone, USA (I'm generally competent, but I freely admit to making mistakes)
ID: 1627 · Report as offensive
Michael Roycraft
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 24 Nov 05
Posts: 129
United States
Message 1632 - Posted: 7 Dec 2005, 4:55:49 UTC - in response to Message 1627.  

...and BOINC is currently set up to start at boot-up and to always run.

I suspect my problems probably could be avoided if the program did not load quite so early in the Windows startup sequence. Any advice on how to do this (other than using delayexec.exe)?


mistakeprone,

Simple method is to uninstall Boinc through "add and remove programs" without manually deleting anything in the Boinc folder, then re-install, but uncheck the "start Boinc at logon" option on the configuration screen.

The many things starting up at boot time can get a few of them out-of-sequence. Only downside (and I don't reckon it really IS a negative) is that you have to remember to start Boinc from the Start/All Programs menu. This way, YOU control when it starts, so it's not subject to Windows quirks.

"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward Justice"
ID: 1632 · Report as offensive
Iridian

Send message
Joined: 31 Oct 05
Posts: 7
Netherlands
Message 1654 - Posted: 7 Dec 2005, 19:00:58 UTC - in response to Message 1627.  

I am having a different problem that I think is related.

I have Win XP Pro, SP1. I have BOINC set up to run for all users of this computer (and only this computer), and BOINC is currently set up to start at boot-up and to always run.

When I turn on my computer, the BoincMgr icon goes into the SysTray and it appears in the taskbar. After I maximize the Mgr program, I cannot do anything with it -- all side-menu items are grayed out because it is not connected to any computers or projects. Also, I cannot close the window with the X in the upper right. The only way I can find to change its status is by "Exit"ing from the File menu. When I exit, the program closes and the icon disappears from the System Tray. After I restart the program (from the file directory), all my project connections appear and the program works as intended.

I suspect my problems probably could be avoided if the program did not load quite so early in the Windows startup sequence. Any advice on how to do this (other than using delayexec.exe)?


This problem is actually the same. You can however maximize the Boinc mgr and close the window with the X in the upper right. To do this you have to open the manager using the Boinc systray icon while leaving the minimized version of the non-responding manager in the taskbar. Upon clicking the X the minimized version in the taskbar also disappears.
ID: 1654 · Report as offensive
mistakeprone

Send message
Joined: 4 Dec 05
Posts: 7
United States
Message 1761 - Posted: 10 Dec 2005, 18:47:38 UTC

open the manager using the Boinc systray icon while leaving the minimized version of the non-responding manager in the taskbar. Upon clicking the X the minimized version in the taskbar also disappears.

That tip works (although the behavior is still annoying). Thanks!
ID: 1761 · Report as offensive
Kangaroo

Send message
Joined: 16 Dec 05
Posts: 1
Spain
Message 2003 - Posted: 16 Dec 2005, 16:48:03 UTC
Last modified: 16 Dec 2005, 17:01:36 UTC

Hi all. I had this problem too (boinc manager freezes at start up). And thanks to all the ideas in this thread i ended up with the following "easy to do" script, to delay the start of as many applications as you want, since delayexec only works for one program at a time. Thus, Boinc's problem is fixed and windows starts quickly.

the script:
----------------

var Delay_Exec= WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell");
WScript.Sleep(10000); //wait 10 sec., in milisec.

//run Boinc /s
Delay_Exec.Run("path_to_application\\\\BOINC\\\\boincmgr.exe /s");
WScript.Sleep(5000); //wait 5 seconds
//and run another application
Delay_Exec.popup("Running Cacheman",3,"Delay_exec",0+64); //Alert the user
Delay_Exec.Run("path_to_application\\\\Cacheman\\\\Cacheman.exe");
WScript.Sleep(5000);
//...and another
//...
//...
//...and repeat as many times as you want

WScript.Quit(); //Bye bye

---------------------------------

Here, path_to_application is the path, usually "c:\\\\Program Files", where you have installed the program you want to run. As i have the spanish version, i had found that we (spanish) must use the short name "c:\\\\Archiv~1" (almost in my computer it is true). So if you have troubles in your language, try the short name that you can see with "dir /x" in the command line.

And save this with some descriptive name as "Delay.js", create a shorcut in startup, and you're done (of course, remove the entries in the startup folder of the applications that you run in this way). I hope this serve someone (it works for me :).

..And another thing that looks a bit strange: when I shutdown my computer I often see a small window telling me that some application crashed. Unfortunately this window disappeares withing a fraction of a second, so I'm not sure about this, but the first time I've seen it was after I installed the BOINC-manager...


You can check wich application has failed, with the control panel\\management tools\\event viewer (i hope that this will be the name in english...)

Thanks to all, regards.

ID: 2003 · Report as offensive
Christopher Pikula

Send message
Joined: 16 Dec 05
Posts: 5
United States
Message 2007 - Posted: 16 Dec 2005, 17:58:05 UTC

This thread has been very helpful, as I've been having this exact problem. How about going into MSconfig and disabling BOINC in the startup list, then starting it manually?
Christopher Pikula
Waltham, MA USA
ID: 2007 · Report as offensive
Iridian

Send message
Joined: 31 Oct 05
Posts: 7
Netherlands
Message 2008 - Posted: 16 Dec 2005, 17:58:22 UTC - in response to Message 2003.  
Last modified: 16 Dec 2005, 17:58:51 UTC

Hi all. I had this problem too (boinc manager freezes at start up). And thanks to all the ideas in this thread i ended up with the following "easy to do" script, to delay the start of as many applications as you want, since delayexec only works for one program at a time. Thus, Boinc's problem is fixed and windows starts quickly.

the script:
----------------

var Delay_Exec= WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell");
WScript.Sleep(10000); //wait 10 sec., in milisec.

//run Boinc /s
Delay_Exec.Run("path_to_application\\\\BOINC\\\\boincmgr.exe /s");
WScript.Sleep(5000); //wait 5 seconds
//and run another application
Delay_Exec.popup("Running Cacheman",3,"Delay_exec",0+64); //Alert the user
Delay_Exec.Run("path_to_application\\\\Cacheman\\\\Cacheman.exe");
WScript.Sleep(5000);
//...and another
//...
//...
//...and repeat as many times as you want

WScript.Quit(); //Bye bye

---------------------------------

Here, path_to_application is the path, usually "c:\\\\Program Files", where you have installed the program you want to run. As i have the spanish version, i had found that we (spanish) must use the short name "c:\\\\Archiv~1" (almost in my computer it is true). So if you have troubles in your language, try the short name that you can see with "dir /x" in the command line.

And save this with some descriptive name as "Delay.js", create a shorcut in startup, and you're done (of course, remove the entries in the startup folder of the applications that you run in this way). I hope this serve someone (it works for me :).

..And another thing that looks a bit strange: when I shutdown my computer I often see a small window telling me that some application crashed. Unfortunately this window disappeares withing a fraction of a second, so I'm not sure about this, but the first time I've seen it was after I installed the BOINC-manager...


You can check wich application has failed, with the control panel\\management tools\\event viewer (i hope that this will be the name in english...)

Thanks to all, regards.



Thank you for that script. Elegant solution to our problem!
ID: 2008 · Report as offensive
Michael Roycraft
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 24 Nov 05
Posts: 129
United States
Message 2009 - Posted: 16 Dec 2005, 18:13:09 UTC - in response to Message 2007.  
Last modified: 16 Dec 2005, 18:13:25 UTC

This thread has been very helpful, as I've been having this exact problem. How about going into MSconfig and disabling BOINC in the startup list, then starting it manually?


Christopher,

If Boinc shows up on the startup tab of msconfig, then unchecking it and applying should accomplish the trick, as would deleting the shortcut in the Start/All Programs/Startup menu. If you're familiar with msconfig, you know that after the next boot, it will display a "nag" window, and you just tell it not to nag you on subsequent starts.

"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward Justice"
ID: 2009 · Report as offensive
Christopher Pikula

Send message
Joined: 16 Dec 05
Posts: 5
United States
Message 2029 - Posted: 17 Dec 2005, 19:41:51 UTC - in response to Message 2009.  

Hey thanks, I unchecked BOINC in msconfig startup tab, and the computer starts much faster and more smoothly now. The other benefit of doing it this way is that I can run a spyware scan with BOINC not running. Otherwise they confict somewhat and it can be tough to get out of screensaver.

Btw, if I let the sreensaver come on, it shows a message saying BOINC not detected in startup menu; we recommend launching BOINC at startup (!) :^)




Christopher,

If Boinc shows up on the startup tab of msconfig, then unchecking it and applying should accomplish the trick, as would deleting the shortcut in the Start/All Programs/Startup menu. If you're familiar with msconfig, you know that after the next boot, it will display a "nag" window, and you just tell it not to nag you on subsequent starts.
[/quote]

Christopher Pikula
Waltham, MA USA
ID: 2029 · Report as offensive

Message boards : BOINC Manager : How to make it start minimized (in SysTray) ?

Copyright © 2024 University of California.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.