Change the computer description

[ejensen]

Here is a custom action I setup so that we can change the computer description.

cmd.exe cscript \\SERVER\SHARE\change_comp_desc.vbs {computer}

and here is the VBscript code:

Set WshNetwork = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Network")
 
strComputer = Wscript.Arguments.Item(0)
strDescription = Inputbox("Enter Description:")
 
Set Obj= GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer).InstancesOf("Win32_OperatingSystem")
For Each x In Obj 
   x.Description = strDescription
   x.Put_
Next
 
WScript.Quit

Pops up an input box for you to enter the computer description.
Please let me know if anyone sees anything that could be improved with this script or custom action.

thanks,
Eric

[ArborDev]

NICE! Thanks.

[ejensen]

probably the permissions you have to setup in IE, check the documentation, I know without this you cannot execute any of the other custom actions. Look for activeX in the docs, it shows you how.

[tcostella]

Great idea!!

Cannot get it to run from website on server or client PC. I can get "cmd.exe /K \\atm04\winapp$\LanSweeper\ComputerDescriptionChange.vbs MYPCNAME" to work just fine...

Hmm....

Any idea's why?

Thanks,

Thad

[Andreasl]

Hello,

I bring this to work in IE7 and with the following action:

cmd.exe /K \\COMPUTER\SHARE\change_comp_desc.vbs {computer}

I must remove the cscript and must add /K to cmd.exe . You can also use /C instead of /K if you like to close the windows if the job is done.
After calling this in the browser I get the trust warning and be able to set the description on XPpro workstations and Win2K3 Server.

/update
I test it on Win2K machines too. It seems that the script put the description in. I can fin it in the registry under [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters]] in the key srvcomment. I remove my testcomputer from lansweeper, reboot my testcomputer to take effect of the changes and after booting I run lsclient again. The computer comes up in Lansweeper but the description field in Lansweeper is still empty.

/update 2
on some computer it begin to work. I'm not sure what blocks some of them. I will dig a little bit more.

Thanks for sharing this action

Regards
Andreas

[ejensen]

No worries jreimer, i actually did the exact same thing at first. i couldnt figure out why it wasnt updating. 🙂

[jreimer1]

Thanks you trick worked.

Goes away with head between legs.

[ejensen]

glad to be able to share. Another thought i had about this script is that with WMI sometimes you have to use impersonation due to security warnings. so if anyone is having problems running this script, they may have to do that. i can provide some help if that need arises.
Eric

[Hemoco]

Also note that you need to have administrative permissions on the client computer when running this script.

Thanks ejensen for the script, it's really valuable.

[ejensen]

it wont show in the web page until the next scan. I would run it against your own computer and then verify the change by right-clicking the my computer icon and going to the computer name tab.

[jreimer1]

I have done everything with this script as you put it, but when i enter the description in the box nothing happens. Doesn't update even tried a refresh of page.