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[RemyJ]

Here's a quick way to set up a "MJ Only" user for party use...
Basically, instead of seeing a normal windows desktop, when you log in
as this user, MJ automatically starts (in party mode if that's the
way you left it last) and the only thing this user can do is log off again.  I tested this procedure with Windows NT and 2000.  I make no claims about whether this works on 98 (maybe) XP (probably) or ME (maybe).

WARNING:  This procedure requires editing the Windows registry and is not for the faint of heart!!!  Perform this process at your own risk.  I'm assuming you already understand how to manipulate the registry and what HKCU and HKLM mean.

Start by making sure you're logged as an administrator yourself, then create a new local user and add that user to both "User" and "Administrator" groups.  Make the password both non-expiring and non-changeable.

Now log yourself out and log in as that new user.
Install MJ and make sure it works.
Don't bother messing with anything else as the desktop will dissapear shortly.

Open the registry editor and navigate to...
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon
Add a new REG_SZ value with the name Shell
Set the value to:
c:\program files\j river\media jukebox\media jukebox.exe
or whatever the appropriate install path is.  You can also use mjextman and a command line option. For example:  
\mjextman.exe /Connect m01p://yourserver.com

Make absolutely SURE you're editing the tree that starts with HKEY_CURRENT_USER and not HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. If you change the Shell entry in HKLM you change it for all users and that's NOT what you want.

Close the registry editor and log off.

Log in again as the new user and instead of getting the windows desktop, you should get only MJ.

You can stop right here but this user will still be able to run the task manager, and therefore any program, by using the CTL-ALT-DEL menu.

To prevent this user from running other programs you'll need to make a few more registry changes.  Since there's no desktop now, you'll have to use a round about way to get to the registry editor (which you'll then disable).

Press CTL-ALT-DEL and select Task Manager.  
Then do a File, Run and start regedit
Now navigate to...
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies
Notice that this time it's "Windows" and not "Windows NT"
Add a new SubKey (not value) called System
Select it and add the following DWORD values...
DisableTaskMgr: 1
DisableChangePassword: 1
DisableLockWorkstation: 1

Once you've disabled the task manager, the only way to fix anything is to blow this user away and start over again.

Now the only things this user can do outside of MJ are log off and shut down the machine.  What you can or can't do in MJ is now up to MJ.  Oh, if you accidentally close MJ, the only way to restart it is to log off and back on again (a very quick process).

Oh yeah, you might want to log yourself back in as an administrator and remove the new user from the "Administrators" group.  Just in case.

All of the registry hacks came from
http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm
Start with tip 50.

Remy

[Callithumpian]

I like it.
I'll try it soon.
I'm moving house and the new house will be fully wired.
There's a PC going into the stereo unit and this is just how it needs to be.

[Scronch]

Calli -

Pls post how this goes for you.  I'm interested, but hesitant to start messing with the registry.

Scronch

[Scronch]

Forgot to thank RemyJ for looking into this.  Thanks.

[Callithumpian]

I will - but I'm some weeks away from moving in.
And she-who-must-be-obeyed will have my priorities assigned otherwise, rest assured.

[Tinitus]

Awesome trick!!

Everything workes fine except I'm not able to log off (I'm running XP)

When i ad the disabletaskmgr value i can only shift user (win|PLS|L) or shut down the machine with the three finger salute (ctrl|PLS|alt|PLS|del)?

Also you should ad the path and filename for the Shell REG_SZ in quotes:
"c:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\Media Jukebox.exe"
(at least if theres any spaces in the name)

Thanks Remy!!

[Scronch]

When you techies have this thing really nailed down, I (for one) would greatly appreciate a highly-detailed listing of how to do it.  Kind of an "MJ Only for Dummies" tutorial.

Scronch

[Tinitus]

I just thought more people should see this