Have you seen this software?

[jim]

I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's
monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the
monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want
the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the
server).

LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is shown
again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on disconnects,
it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody may be
monitoring the location.

I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

Seen anything that can do that?

 

[R. McCarty]

It's a little difficult to understand your intent. Are the Servers ever
accessed with a local/interactive login ? Also the servers are in a
accessible location and not in a Server Closet or secured area ?

What about installing a KVM and select a "Null" tap to keep the
monitor blank ?

 

[jim]

The servers are at a client location and *are* in an area accessible by the
employees - even right next to 2 of them.

The employees have learned to look for any activity onscreen that indicates
that a district manager or the owner may be online and capable of monitoring
their actions.

I have suggested (strongly) that the servers be placed in locked areas away
from the employees or that the monitors be removed altogether.

Failing either of those options (and there are no KVMs present) I thought
that something like the screen blanking that LogMeIn can do would be the
perfect solution. It simply blanks the screen.

Unfortunately, when you log off with LogMeIn, the screen shows the login
again. It remains until you log in again, at which time the employees know
"you are there".

LogMeIn installs something called "DPMS-enabled monitor drivers" to enable
Windows to turn off the monitor. I would distribute these and write a
little app to control them myself, but I can't find where to get them or any
API info on using them.

:|

 

[TP]

Hi,

I assume you are using windows xp pro for your servers?

I would suggest you consider switching to 2003. That way
as long as a non-console Remote Desktop connection is made
there would no change to the server's screen.

-TP

 

[R. McCarty]

Thanks for the details, seemed a little unusual for Servers to be
out in a accessible location. About the only suggestion I could
offer would be to remove the monitors and only allow interactive
login via a Remote Desktop session from another PC in the office.
I would think that just knowing someone could monitor activities
would be enough to temper company use of computers...

If you do come up with a solution let us know how you resolved
it.

 

[jim]

I found some VB.Net code (http://www.codeproject.com/useritems/Monitors.asp)
that is supposed to work, but testing it on my machine showed no change in
monitor status.

I'll keep looking......

 

[Leythos]

I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's
monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the
monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want
the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the
server).

LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is shown
again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on disconnects,
it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody may be
monitoring the location.

I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

Seen anything that can do that?

If you use Remote Desktop they can't see what you are doing - since you
should be doing this via VPN you can use RD to as many servers as you
want.


--

Leythos
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
(e-mail address removed) (remove 999 for proper email address)

 

[Swifty]

Seen anything that can do that?

I have a combination which may work. I presume that you can TELNET or
SSH into the server. There is a utility "wizmo" from Gibson Research
which if used with the "blank" option starts the screensaver. I have my
screensaver set to "blank" and the option to require a password when
coming out ot screensaver. There are probably other utilities that
"wizmo" - some people dislike Gibson Research stuff.

I think this combination would do the job. Wizmo can do other stuff,
such as putting the display in power-saving mode, so you could save your
client a few pennies on their electricity bill while you were about it.

So you can put the display in screensaver mode, and put it in standby mode.

 

[Singapore Web Design]

Hello,

I don't understand what exactly you are asking, but check out Wizmo and see
if it is what you are looking for
http://www.grc.com/wizmo/wizmo.htm

--
Singapore Web Design
http://www.bootstrike.com/Webdesign/
Singapore Web Hosting
http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/faq.html
Windows XP FAQ

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am looking for some software that will let me blank a remote server's
monitor. I want the screen to still be attached, but I want to disable the
monitor (NOT the video card) to keep the server more secure (I don;t want
the users at the location to be able to see what is happening on the
server).

LogMeIn can blank the monitor while I am logged in, but the screen is shown
again when I log out. Even if I choose to lock the screen on disconnects,
it shows the login which clues the employees in that somebody may be
monitoring the location.

I just want the monitor blank - all the time - unless I choose otherwise.

It seems pretty simple, but damned if I can find it.

Seen anything that can do that?

Why not use just the password-protected screen saver? One of the
built-in selections is a blank screen.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[jim]

Because (and this has been suggested by others) the screen changes to a
login screen on logging off. This gives you away when they can see the
screen. And, if you log in again before the blank screen saver kicks in,
you give yourself away before you can observe what is going on.

I just want to be able to turn off the local monitor programatically and
have it stay off until I turn it back on.

So, not only will I need to send the right message to Windows, I'll need to
capture any messages from windows that may change the monitor's state and
block them until it is safe to allow the monitor to return to its normal
mode.