[Thorn]

So, I wish to change the desktop picture upon boot. I want it to randomly pick a picture from inside a folder.

How would I do this? I have a very basic understanding of programming (Java C++ and Batch)


(If there is a program to do this, let me know)

[CrazeD]

Without bothering to do any research, I'm betting you could make something in Java/C++ to just change the registry entry for the background picture. Or, just make the program navigate to the directory that the background image saves, and copy different pictures in with the same name.

There's probably an easier way, but I CBA to Google it right now.

[bla!!]

You can do this easily with a VBScript or even a batch script with or without a .reg file.

I prefer VBS, so here's a couple steps to get you going in the right direction.

1. Look up how to do a registry edit with vbs. The Reg key for your background is HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper
2. Look into random number generating based on the system time.
3. Have the script select a random number between 1 and x where x is the number of pictures
4. Then select the x'th number file from the folder you keep them in (look into the wscript.filesystem object)

If you need more help just post.

[bla!!]

Oops, double post X(

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by bla!!

You can do this easily with a VBScript or even a batch script with or without a .reg file.

I prefer VBS, so here's a couple steps to get you going in the right direction.

1. Look up how to do a registry edit with vbs. The Reg key for your background is HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper
2. Look into random number generating based on the system time.
3. Have the script select a random number between 1 and x where x is the number of pictures
4. Then select the x'th number file from the folder you keep them in (look into the wscript.filesystem object)

If you need more help just post.

For 3.

I only want it to change on reboot, so would there be a way to do this?

And could I just do something counter like, where I just rename all the files, and on each reboot increment the counter?

[CrazeD]

Run the script on startup, then have it terminate after it's done.

[bla!!]

Originally Posted by Thorn

For 3.

I only want it to change on reboot, so would there be a way to do this?

And could I just do something counter like, where I just rename all the files, and on each reboot increment the counter?

As far as running the script, you would want to put it in your startup items (c:\docs and settings\username\start menu\prog files\startup)

You can't just increment a variable since each time you boot it would re-run the script from scratch.

One thing you could do is read/write from a text file on the computer (or to and from the registry if you want to get that fancy )
Read the first line (assume it's an integer between 1 and x), then set the background based on that number, then overwrite the text file with the number you read +1. If the number is greater than the # of bg files you have, start back at 1.