Paul, You could accomplish the same thing without redirecting the TELL to a file (assuming (yes, I know what that does....) you're on MPE/iX): SETVAR HPMSGENCE 2 TELL !hpjobname,!hpuser.!hpaccount Someone is using your signon. SETVAR HPMSGFENCE 0 IF CIERROR <> 1620 THEN . . Of course, you should be a good citizen and save the current state of HPMSGFENCE before you cream it, but you get the gist. Rich "yes I DO have real work to do" Trapp ------------------------------ Rich Trapp OMNIDEX Product Manager - IMAGE/SQL Dynamic Information Systems Corporation http://www.disc.com Work: [log in to unmask] Play: [log in to unmask] Voice: 303-444-4000 Fax: 303-444-0208 -----Original Message----- From: phchristidis [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, April 03, 1997 1:57 PM To: HP3000-L Subject: Re: Limiting User logon Art, A few days ago I replied to this thread with a possible solution that involved using the MPE command 'TELL'. The proposed solution involved the usage of a command file and a UDC command. I always like to minimize the number of files that I use in implementing any solution (it simplifies maintenance) and what follows is an improvement on my original proposal that eliminates the need of a separate command file. In your logon UDC enter the following: ... ... if hpjobtype = "S" then echo tell & !hpjobname,!hpuser.!hpaccount Someone is using your signon. >z212z z212z > $null if cierror <> 1620 then echo **** echo Multiple logons are not allowed.. echo **** bye endif purge z212z,temp > $null endif ... ... Regards Paul H. Christidis ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Limiting User logon Author: Art Bahrs <[log in to unmask]> at CCGATE Date: 04/01/97 10:51 AM Hi all :) I can't remember if this one was covered the last time user logon limiting methodologies were covered... so sorry if I missed the answer. Using only MPE/iX 5.0 FOS can you restrict a user to only one logon at a time... ie so Joe.anyacct can only be logged on to one terminal/device at a time?? Thanks for any help Art Bahrs