How to set Python Environment prior to login so can run a python program at startup

Hi All

I am trying to run a python program that activates the I2C bus and displays the IP address on a I2C LCD.

I have a script that runs ntpd and then starts a python program on startup, but when the program  needs to load the SMBus library, it can't find it.

Starting ntpd: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/media/realroot/wiring/testLCD.py", line 27, in <module>
    bus = SMBus(0)
IOError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory

The commands that set up the I2C bus at the start of the program run  and a status file is created letting me know this is successful, but once it tries to use  the first library it dies.

from smbus import SMBus
import time
bus = SMBus(0)
import lcddriver
import socket
#import os
from subprocess import Popen, PIPE
lcd = lcddriver.lcd()

I think the problem is that prior to log in the Python path is not set. I tried to set it in the startup script, but it didn't work.

Anyone have any ideas?

regards

rgb