Recommendations for locking a computer (parents want to know for my lil brother's computers)

[SithSolo1]

I know you can slap a password on the system in WinXP but I was wondering if there is any way to make a computer where you have to have a key to turn it on? I know they make them for HDs but I don't know if that would apply to the situation. The whole reason for this is that my brothers play too many video games and don't do their school work. Yes the simple solution would be to take the computers but its complicated. Any help would be great.


Thank You for your time,
J.

 

[fell8]

Password on OS

 

[SithSolo1]

I know thats an option but I was looking for others of the non software nature.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Doing the HD thing will work, just don't connect a second hard drive.

 

[Chobits]

password on the bios. System won't get past post if there is a password and unless they know to open up the computer and pull the jumper...

And really? Dang they have to learn that work comes before games! Seriously...their parents may have nice jobs and not worry about many things but if they also don't work ahead in life they too will get screwed. I know too many rich friends with parents who are surgeons but they are dumb as hell and get everything.

I hope they can change

 

[Krk3561]

Some cheiftec cases have a drive bay door that covers the power button and it has a lock.

an example of what I'm talking about

 

[Krk3561]

Originally posted by: Chobits
password on the bios. System won't get past post if there is a password and unless they know to open up the computer and pull the jumper...

And really? Dang they have to learn that work comes before games! Seriously...their parents may have nice jobs and not worry about many things but if they also don't work ahead in life they too will get screwed. I know too many rich friends with parents who are surgeons but they are dumb as hell and get everything.

I hope they can change

A password for the bios will just keep them from enter the bios, not booting up

 

[fell8]

Any phyical method is easily defeated without having a case that can be locked, which my guess for you would mean disconnecting the computer to replace or mod the case. In that case, don't even bother with a special switch and just leave the case locked with some vital component or conection disconnected and just open the case and connect it when you want to use the computer.

I think a more practical approach is have different access levels for different user profiles/passwords that would allow the boys limited access to the computer without somebody else's permission.

 

[Jhhnn]

Installing an automotive type key switch would do the job- if you can keep them out of the case. You'd need one with a spring loaded "start" position, that's the one to use instead of the power button.

A software solution would really be the best, although not possible with some operating systems. Might be able to do it in the bios, though- Password protect it, then make some change that renders it unbootable past the bios. Not too hard, I've done it many times, by accident...

 

[SithSolo1]

I have the antec version of those chieftech cases and they wouldn't stop either of my brothers, they would:

a) Take a crow bar to it

or

b) since the door is plastic, they would just pull it off.

We're talking about a kid that made his own power cable with wire when my dad took the power plugs. He's stock piled spare parts ever since that happened. My parents even take the cable modem to work so my brothers can't find it.


EDIT: Good stuff guys, I'll give my parents all the info.

 

[NesuD]

Originally posted by: Krk3561

Originally posted by: Chobits
password on the bios. System won't get past post if there is a password and unless they know to open up the computer and pull the jumper...

And really? Dang they have to learn that work comes before games! Seriously...their parents may have nice jobs and not worry about many things but if they also don't work ahead in life they too will get screwed. I know too many rich friends with parents who are surgeons but they are dumb as hell and get everything.

I hope they can change

A password for the bios will just keep them from enter the bios, not booting up

wrong there are to levels of passwords in the bios. One is supervisor and is the one that keeps you out of the bios there is also a user level which is what keeps you from going past post.

used to be able to get keyboards with locks on them.

 

[peter7921]

Originally posted by: Krk3561

Originally posted by: Chobits
password on the bios. System won't get past post if there is a password and unless they know to open up the computer and pull the jumper...

And really? Dang they have to learn that work comes before games! Seriously...their parents may have nice jobs and not worry about many things but if they also don't work ahead in life they too will get screwed. I know too many rich friends with parents who are surgeons but they are dumb as hell and get everything.

I hope they can change

A password for the bios will just keep them from enter the bios, not booting up

Most BIOS's have a Password for the BIOS and Passwords that will prevent the system from booting, most systems i have seen have this feature but i am sure there some that don't.

 

[NesuD]

maybe a removeable hdd chassis would be in order. just take the damn hdd out when they don't want them to use it.

 

[Viper96720]

Password protected screen saver. If they go to school it should be running by the time they're home. Then someone who knows the password would have to put it in.

 

[tsapiano]

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Password protected screen saver. If they go to school it should be running by the time they're home. Then someone who knows the password would have to put it in.

Unless they pull the reset the computer (either using the front pannel buttons or plain old pull the plug)

A removable HDD chassis is likely the best idea - pull the HDD and the machine is pretty much useless, throw it in a safe and you're set (unless he buys his own HDD and sled, but that is a whole lot more work). The BIOS password will work as well, but if they can figure out the jumper to reset it, it won't do much good. Case locks can help, but they are usually pretty flimsy and easy to break if someone really wants to.

Another option is to get a 220V-only power supply and withold the 120-220V transformer (we did that back in HS to keep people off of certain computers) to allow them to plug it in.

 

[Viper96720]

Yeah if it was me I would just put the computer in a separate room. Put on a doorknob with a lock and just lock it in there.

 

[Viper96720]

If your using XP there's a way to prevent downloading from limited user accounts. Then just take away the game cd's. Most games need the cd in order to play them.

 

[SithSolo1]

Things tried:

Taking the modem

Taking the power cable

Taking the KB and mouse

Taking the power cable adapter

Taking the CDs

Shutting the power of at the breaker

Disconnecting the cable from the house

and most resently taking the computers out of their rooms and placing them in the den

All the above have failed.

They pick locks, break down doors, and borrow parts from friends.

If this lock thing fails the computers are gone.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
Things tried:

If this lock thing fails the computers are gone.

It sounds like your brothers need some serious discipline, not computer time outs.

 

[Rotax]

LoL Seriously, if they're that gung ho to get to the computer and *play games*... my god.. they need to be taught a lesson some how. Sure, there were times when I was told to quit playing games, etc when I was a kid, but it never went that far of having to take parts away.. Thats to the point of crazy. Computer should have been taken away long time ago IMO if its that bad. Sounds like a something a crack addict would do..just cuz...I NEED A FIXXX *twitches*. haha

 

[hjo3]

If they can borrow parts from friends and jimmy cases open, sounds like nothing'll work. At this point, it sounds easier to lock the kids away. Heh.

If you're really devoted to solving the problem, you could get those polarized monitors that you need special glasses to see what's on the screen. See how they like hauling 40 lb. monitors back and forth to friends' houses. You'd have to get rid of your current monitors though... kinda extreme.

Still, all the parents would have to do is take a pair of sunglasses with them when they leave...

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: NesuD
maybe a removeable hdd chassis would be in order. just take the damn hdd out when they don't want them to use it.

How about putting the hard drive in a removable bay and just pulling the hard drive when you don't want them to use it.



Edit: just noticed NesuD had already posted this idea, so added a quote.

 

[hjo3]

The kids could just borrow a spare 3 gig HD from a friend though, right? That's what I'd do.

 

[SithSolo1]

By parts I meant a mouse and keyboard.

Other than that they are pretty much hardware illiterate and another HD would do them no good because I have all the OS CDs with me.

We should just give them macs and see how they like that.

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: hjo3
The kids could just borrow a spare 3 gig HD from a friend though, right? That's what I'd do.

To use the drive bay they would have to have a compatible drive tray. Or they would have to have access to the inside of the chassis to install another hard drive (I am assuming that they would be smart enough to buy a locking security bolt for that) Plus they would have to install the operating system and all of the drivers for the hardware prior to installing games.