How do you keep someone from using your computer?

Chalet · September 14th, 2006, 12:49 AM

I have a guest coming to stay in one month. A good friend of course but nevertheless, they may not use my computer. No one may use it. I don't think they have a laptop...but anyway.. If they want to check email they'll have to do it with my supervision.

I have all my banking and business on here as well as other private things. Is there a way to lock it when I am out and they are here? I have XP. I've heard about passcoding the screen.

Lobelia · September 14th, 2006, 01:01 AM

You could create a guest user account on XP, where they cannot access any of your files at all. It's very easy.

Chalet · September 14th, 2006, 01:05 AM

Alrighty. Thanks. Off to find where that is..

Does that mean that they can't click on the desktop at all? Like Quicken, spreadsheets etc that have desktop shortcuts?

Lobelia · September 14th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Hmmmm. It's been a while since I've fiddled with this...

I mean, if you don't want them to use the computer at ALL, you can password your XP account. Go to Start, Control Panel, User Accounts....

There you can create an account, add a password, etc.

I know that I removed desktop icons from other accounts on my computer, but I don't remember exactly how I did it. I guess I just deleted them.

twitchy · September 14th, 2006, 07:29 AM

Low tech: Remove and hide your cables.

misswang · September 14th, 2006, 03:43 PM

You can also lock your computer. Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Lock Computer." Or another short cut is holding down the Win key and the letter L at the same time.

To take off the lock, you have to sign in using your user-account password.

A*O · September 14th, 2006, 04:12 PM

You can also stop them going online via ISP password. Useful if you don't want your kids surfing the net without your knowledge/permission.

Chalet · September 14th, 2006, 04:19 PM

Thank you everyone. You really know what you're doing.

I hate not being generous or open with my guest, but I must do it.

Lobelia · September 14th, 2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twitchy

Low tech: Remove and hide your cables.

You always crack me up.

twitchy · September 14th, 2006, 07:10 PM

But....but I was serious! It works!

My parents used to take a tube out of the TV to make sure we didn't watch when we had had our viewing privileges taken away (just guess how I discovered this tactic

!) and I have done the equivalent to my kids by unplugging their mice and keyboards. Then the chores get done! I've had the pleasure of a teen begging to do extra chores around the house just to get her computer back earlier. Poor baby going into instant messenger withdrawal.

Raspberry gashes · September 14th, 2006, 07:53 PM

My computer dude put a password on my computer so my brothers wouldn't use it without my knowledge. It works fantastically. As soon as the computer starts, it asks for a password. And theres NO getting in.

I have XP as well. You do it through user accounts, password. Its easy and effective.

Chalet · September 15th, 2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twitchy

But....but I was serious! It works!

My parents used to take a tube out of the TV to make sure we didn't watch when we had had our viewing privileges taken away (just guess how I discovered this tactic

!) and I have done the equivalent to my kids by unplugging their mice and keyboards. Then the chores get done! I've had the pleasure of a teen begging to do extra chores around the house just to get her computer back earlier. Poor baby going into instant messenger withdrawal.

They took the tube out? That is too funny. Unplugging is a pain with my desk set up. I'm going to do the user passwords and pray that I don't lock myself out

Lil · September 15th, 2006, 02:00 PM

This reminds me of a story. My friend and her family were once staying with friends. The other woman had told them to make themselves at home, and to use the kitchen and do their laundry and so on if they liked whilst she was out at work. My friend wanted to do some laundry (she had two small children), but the machine had a set of key things that you needed to make each programme work, and there was no sign of them so she couldn't.

A few days later she was baking a cake for her friend as a 'thank you for having us' present, and came across the washing machine keys tucked right at the back of a cupboard, in some mixing bowls. They'd plainly been hidden there on purpose so my friend couldn't use the machine, so my friend didn't say anything but tucked them away somewhere else.....