Starting presentations on Windows load
1. From the main Repeat Signage screen, looks at the tabs near the top of
the screen and select the 'Start up' tab. Click on the
'Settings' button. If you are prompted for a password, then enter your
administrator password. There is no password by default. This should
then display the 'System settings' form.
2. On the 'System setting' form it will load on the 'Windows start up' tab.
You need to put a tick in the 'Automatically launch presentation (or playlist)
on Windows start up'. When you have done this then the 'Browse for
presentation' button is enabled. Click on this button. It will
default to 'Local or network drive'. With the Standard or above editions
of Repeat Signage you will also have the option of downloading and playing a
presentation from an Internet website or
RepeatServer.com. Click on the 'Browse' button and select your
presentation and then click on the 'Open' button to return
to the 'Select presentation file' screen. Click on the OK button to close
this screen, then OK again on the 'System setting' screen to set Windows to load
this file automatically when Windows starts.
3. You can test this by restarting Windows now.
When you restart Windows, then you will usually be prompted to select a user
name or enter a username and password. After doing this, Windows will load
all of it's start up programs, such as anti-virus software, and will then
display your presentation. See Playing your first presentation
for how to keep Repeat Signage on top of other programs.
Windows logon screen
Normally, when a Windows machine is switched on, the user gets the login screen
first. If you want to change this so that when a computer is started it
just loads Windows and then your Repeat Signage Presentation or Playlist, then
please read Windows start up - Removing the log on
screen.
Disabling screen savers and monitor standby mode
You will usually need to disable any Windows screen saver and make
sure that the monitor doesn't go onto standby. See the help page
Disable Windows screen saver and
monitor standby.
Other background software that loads when Windows loads
When Windows loads, it also loads lots of programs including device drivers, anti virus software
(see our Recommended software page for
free anti virus software), and lots of software for keeping you up to date with
the latest versions of installed software. If you are setting up a
computer to display Repeat Signage presentations then you want to make sure that
nothing is going to pop-up in front of Repeat Signage or slow it down by running
unnecessary programs.
You can view what software starts automatically on your system by using the
Windows System Configuration screen. To display this:
Windows 10- Click on the Windows Start button (the start orb in the
bottom left corner of the screen). In the 'Start Search' box that
appears next to the start orb, type in msconfig and press return. This will
open the Windows System Configuration screen
When you have the Windows System Configuration screen open, you get loads of
tabs of various ways that software can be started up automatically with Windows.
The 'Startup' tab is the best place to start and shows most Microsoft and
non-Microsoft software that is starting automatically with Windows. If you
have set Repeat Software to start up with Windows (See at the top of this help
page) then there will be an item:
| Startup item | Manufacturer | Command | Location | Date disabled |
| Repeat Signage V5 | Repeat Software Ltd | ... | ... |
This sets Repeat Signage to load automatically with Windows. You need to go through this list and un-tick items that you don't require. If you are not sure, then do not un-tick items or ask your IT Department (if you have one) or try an Internet search. You often find software such as:
Windows Live Messenger
Google update
Adobe Acrobat
Which you can consider disabling.
DISCLAIMER - Repeat Software Ltd recommends you seek professional advice before changing any Windows settings. Repeat Software Ltd accepts no liability for any problems caused by changing Windows settings. The information below it provided for consideration only:
Anti virus software
Anti virus software often does periodic scans of your hard disks. These should not be scheduled to run at the same time as your presentations as this will slow down Repeat Signage and will lead to jerkiness in scrolling items.
Windows automatic updates
You may also consider disabling Windows automatic updates. This is the part of Windows that automatically downloads updates for most Microsoft software installed on your system, especially security updates for Windows. This is a good thing except that sometimes it will automatically restart the computer, or slow the computer considerably whilst installing update. This is not a good thing for digital signage software as you want your presentations displayed without interruption. If you do disable automatic updates, then you need to get someone to do these manually periodically (once a week should be OK).
To view or disable Windows automatic update settings:
Windows 10 / 11 - On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R, then on the Run dialog type control and press return. This opens up Control Panel. Click on the Search box and type in windows update and then click on the 'Check for updates' option. Use the 'Change settings' option to see your options.