Software only runs as administrator

[themadmonk]

I have a piece of software that seems to only run when an administor is running it. We have changed to rights to allow everyone to run it and still does this. Any reason why?

 

[mechBgon]

What software is it? You mean that you changed the permissions to its directory within C:\Program Files so that the User and Power-User groups had Full Control permission, is that correct?

 

[mboy]

Some old software just sucks like that.

 

[themadmonk]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
What software is it? You mean that you changed the permissions to its directory within C:\Program Files so that the User and Power-User groups had Full Control permission, is that correct?

yeah, i did. but no give. maybe it's just written like that.

 

[firerock]

did you use Administrator right/login when installing the program?

 

[themadmonk]

Originally posted by: firerock
did you use Administrator right/login when installing the program?

yes.

 

[firerock]

Why don't you try to reinstall the program w/ different user other than admin? Maybe the prog can only work under the user who installed the program?!

 

[mrbill14]

Did you check the registry keys?

Give permissions to the registy keys (usually under HKLM\Software\...), sometimes that gets it working.

Older programs put some files in the Windows (or Windows\system32) folders... usually .ini files.

Anytime we have a problem here at work, we install it on a clean machine (one that has never had the particular software installed on it) and fire up "InControl5" before installing the questionable software. It gives you a log of all the files and folders that were modified during the install. A tideous process for sure.

Good luck!

 

[mechBgon]

What software is it here, themadmonk? It may also have folders elsewhere that need their permissions adjusted too (such as C:\Program Files\Common Files\programX), and you may need to temporarily change the user to an Administrator, run the software to get it settled in, then change the user back.

 

[themadmonk]

It's a propriety software written to control a robotics. I think it is bad code though, because I have done everything you guys suggested and it doesn't work. However whenever I tell it to run in Windows 98 or Windows 2000 compatibility mode, it works. I really think it is bad code.

 

[PCHPlayer]

I have the exact same problem with Sims 2, it only runs as admin. I have not tried changing the permissions as it is a pain on XP Home (yes I know, cacls is my friend). I temporarily tried to change all the users to non-admin, but there were so many programs that wanted to run as admin, i just gave up. I just hope that I don't get infected with spyware.

 

[Nothinman]

Contact the manufacturer and complain. Tell them you can't use their software if it can't be made to work within your corporate security policy.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: PCHPlayer
I have the exact same problem with Sims 2, it only runs as admin. I have not tried changing the permissions as it is a pain on XP Home (yes I know, cacls is my friend). I temporarily tried to change all the users to non-admin, but there were so many programs that wanted to run as admin, i just gave up. I just hope that I don't get infected with spyware.

There's a patch for The Sims 2 to address that, run the updater and it should get you fixed up.

 

[themadmonk]

thanks for your help guys, i sent off an email to the programmers. we are not going to compromise our security for one piece of software.

 

[jaykleg]

Did you consider using the runas feature? I don't think I saw which OS you are using. If WinXP then you could use a shortcut implementing the runas feature along with the /savecred switch. You set it up for each user of the software using an admin account and typing in the password -- the first time only. After that the credentials are saved for that user account on that workstation, but the program is still launched under admin credentials when the end user uses the shortcut. You do have to watch for possible security issues, though. For instance, if the program uses open file dialogs those dialogs would be running under admin credentials, too.

Oh yeah, I meant to mention that MS has releast Application Compatibility Tool 4.0. It could help you get a handle on just what problem this software is having with your OS. It appears to be quite a step up from the previous ACT versions. Trying to find time to test it.