Steve also doesn't mention the OS/s in play here, but I would think that with XP or Vista Remote Assistance would be an option. That way the user in question (no matter who they are) gets prompted to allow you to help. If at that point they deny you access and you have called and gotten no response you have proof for management that you tried contacting the user before taking more drastic measures. Tim
From: Ken Schaefer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 9:26 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: General question - Logging onto a user's computer +1 If the policy is there, then you follow the policy. You also send a polite email pointing out the negative consequences of the policy *in terms that management understands* and request clarification of what the policy is, and leave the door open to management changing the policy now that they are aware of the issues in the environment. If the policy doesn't change, and it's causing you significant impairment to your job, then you document the issues. You ascribe a *cost* (monetary, time, whatever) to the issues. You describe how it's detracting you from other, more useful things, and you represent your case in 3 months or 6 months or whatever. This might sound like "w*nky" rubbish from consultants, but good consultants are able to get things done because they are able to convince other people that things should change in terms that those other people understand. Cheers Ken From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, 6 June 2008 11:10 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: General question - Logging onto a user's computer Kudos on your pro attitude in making things work right and doing what I am sure you were hired to do. I would respectfully send a statement to your manager on clarification of your job responsibilities and the priority on preventing a "disaster" or "loss of productivity" If the boss says period you don't do it in this scenario, then you have it on paper when they came complaining about why a user lost a day's work later. Cover your butt, because today they see it this way, tomorrow they may see it that way. From: Steve Kelsay [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 7:27 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: General question - Logging onto a user's computer I just got reamed for preventing a crash. It irked me, so let me know what you think, or what your policy is. Management simply said "It is not acceptable to log into someone else's computer without their consent." Period. If you see a situation where a crash is about to occur, do you just watch because you are trying to identify who is actually using that workstation at that moment and try to contact them, or do you remote in, displaying a "Netmgr x has remotely connected to your pc" alert box, and resolve the issue before they crash and lose a day's work? ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~
