Windows Shell

Windows Shell

On Psion computers, the user’s level of access to the Windows shell can be restricted to prevent access to unnecessary or potentially harmful aspects of the system.

On Omnii and the EP10 this feature has been replaced by PsionVU. For information see Other Features.

The following Windows shell features can be set and queried by the Mobile Devices SDK:

 
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Setting Windows security
 
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Enabling and disabling shell access

Setting Windows Security

Psion computers have the following Windows shell security levels:

 
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User
 
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Supervisor
 
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Teklogix

These levels can also be controlled through the Security item on the Windows Start menu.

User security level: This is the most restrictive security level. When this level is set on a Psion computer, the computer can be used to run applications, but there is limited access to terminal configuration features. No password is needed to access a computer when it is in this mode.

The following restrictions apply:

 
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On the Windows Start menu, the Programs, Settings, and Run items are not available.
 
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If the Windows desktop is accessible, the My Computer and Recycle Bin icons are not available.

Supervisor security level: This security level allows access to most of the configuration features of the Psion computer. The supervisor password can be changed when the computer is in supervisor mode or in Teklogix mode.

Teklogix security level: This security level gives unrestricted access to the Psion computer. The Teklogix password cannot be changed.

Enabling and Disabling the Windows Shell

The Mobile Devices SDK provides applications with the ability to enable and disable the Windows shell. By default, the shell is enabled. When the shell is disabled, the following features are not available:

 
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The Windows Start button
 
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The Windows Icon Tray
 
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The Windows Task Manager

The shell must be enabled before the application exits. If the application terminates leaving the shell disabled, the shell can only be enabled again by a warm reset or a cold reset.

Security Level Change Event

An event is generated when the Windows security level is changed through the Mobile Devices SDK or by the user through the configuration dialog. This event is only detected while a listener for the event is registered.

System Security API Elements

C++: The system security on all Psion computers is controlled using the PsionTeklogix::System::Security namespace.

Java: The system security on all Psion computers is controlled using the Security class and the ShellSecurityLevelChangeEvent class in the com.teklogix.system package.

.NET: The system security on all Psion computers is controlled using the Security class in the PsionTeklogix.SystemPTX namespace.