This is a known issue (i have a thread about this here myself), but no good solution so far. Spark has to extract some files in Program Files directory upon first startup. Obviously it should be done during setup. But i'm not hoping to see a solution from developers quickly, as Spark project is a bit slowing down (new developer, other priorities).

I'm in the process of deploying Spark with Group Policy. I've run in to the auto run registry entry issue and the first run issue. As a work around I've added the following to my startup bat to fix the first run issue. This works on windows XP, I haven't tested it on 2k. It basically checks for the sparks folder in Program Files and if it exists gives domain users full control to the Spark directory.

If not exist "C:\Program Files\Spark" GOTO END
cacls "C:\Program Files\Spark" /E /T /C /G "Domain Users:F"

:END

When I'm done deploying the software I'll change the line to only allow users to change files...

If not exist "C:\Program Files\Spark" GOTO END
cacls "C:\Program Files\Spark" /E /T /C /G "Domain Users:C"

:END

I just manually edited the registry entry on my PC then exported it, to correct the exe name on the MSI install and added it to my domain workstations startup bat.

If not exist "C:\Program Files\Spark" GOTO END

REGEDIT /S \\<YOUR Domain name>\NETLOGON\spark\run.reg

:END

The run.reg file looks like this

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"Spark"="C:\\Program Files\\Spark\\spark.exe"

It's not ideal but it works!

Gabrielle