Need a small app...

[aximbigfan]

Hi,

I need a small app to get an image from a web (in my case, intranet) address, and display it as a Windows Wallpaper.

I am on Windows Vista.

Thanks,
Chris

[Mussels]

i've never heard of one that can do this. I remember it was possible to use dynamic web links as your wallpaper all the way back in windows ME, but i havent seen it on an NT based OS.

[DanTheBanjoman]

Right click an image > set as desktop background?

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by DanTheBanjoman

Right click an image > set as desktop background?

i was under the impression he wanted a link, so that it could update automatically.

[aximbigfan]

Yeah, I made a PHP script that builds a list of images in my DB server, then echos out a random one. I was getting bored looking at a Russian LongEZ as my background, so I thought I might make some sort of randomization. The address is <my server>/RandImage and a random image is retrieved from my DB server, and displayed. If the app could follow that link, get the image, and display it as my desktop wallpaper every time Widows starts, that would be perfect.

Chris

Start > Run > gpedit.msc > under 'User Configuration' > Administrative Templates > Desktop > Active Desktop > Double click on 'Disable Active Desktop' > set it as 'Enabled'

Look at the other options should have one for image that you can link it directly to your intranet.

Log Off >< Log In

Thats how you'd do it in xp pro, im guessing vista the same, should be able to figure it out from there.

[oily_17]

What about Windows DreamScene will it let you do this?? I'm not sure as I have never used it, but worth a shot.

[Mussels]

dreamscene requires video files, it doesnt work with images (at least not by default)

[aximbigfan]

Originally Posted by thraxed

Start > Run > gpedit.msc > under 'User Configuration' > Administrative Templates > Desktop > Active Desktop > Double click on 'Disable Active Desktop' > set it as 'Enabled'

Look at the other options should have one for image that you can link it directly to your intranet.

Log Off >< Log In

Thats how you'd do it in xp pro, im guessing vista the same, should be able to figure it out from there.

Vista doesn't have active desktop at all...

Chris

[aximbigfan]

BUMP!

All the app needs to do is download a file at a URL, then set it as the Windows wallpaper, that's it.

If someone were to code it for me, I could help code something in PHP/HTML/JS for said person!

Thanks,
Chris

[iStink]

Ok I'm on it lol. I'll see what I can put together.

Edit:

Ok, I'm done. So far gif images are the only ones I haven't been able to get to work. To get this working for you, I think you can just put the exe in the startup folder.

Basically, I set it up to use a timer. You've got 3 seconds to press enter and change the url, otherwise it will attempt to download the image to it's startup directory (whereever you place the exe) then set the wallpaper to that file. If the url is invalid or your connection to the internet is down, you'll get an error saying to check your settings.

Just let me know how to send this to you and I'll send it in a zip file. It's made in VB.net 2008, and when I compiled it theres a bunch of other files in the directory. I'm not sure if these are needed for it to run, but i'll include them anyway.

[iStink]

Ok after testing it further, it turns out you need to just put a shortcut to the exe in the startup folder, not the actual exe. Extract the zip I give you to your download folder or something, then rightclick on the exe and drag it to the startup folder and select create shortcut here. I've used it a few times and it's working great.

Are you using this for some kind of stats image on a sports website or something?

[iStink]

I put it on rapidshare. Let me know if you want me to send it another way... http://rs71.rapidshare.com/files/147..._BG_setter.zip