Two questions

[johnnywyoming]

Have two new Dell computers that I am installing in my museum exhibit hall as interactives for kids (and adults too!). Both machines are playing educational games from the CD-Rom. Mouse only, keyboard and tower locked away. Windows ME.

1: How do I turn the computer off using a power strip without having to unlock the desk door and push the power button on the computer everytime I want to power up?

2. How do I block access to the desktop so visitors can't get into the settings or C drive?

[bassman]

We had a similar topic some time back and MJC posted a great link for it. Hang in there, I am sure he will be along soon. It can be done.

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If I tell you to think for yourself, then you're not doing it.
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This is not directed at those asking questions in order to gain knowledge. That shows you are thinking.

[David]

As far as the power-button issue:

Next time you boot up, go into CMOS setup. You may find an option called "power button override" or something like that.. designed to allow computers to restart after a power failure, etc. Try toggling that.

Also, some power supplies may have a high surge current when power is applied.. on mine I can often see a little flash of light from the power strip switch when I turn it on. You might want to use a cheap power strip for switching, and plug that into the nice surge strip. So then you only have to replace a cheap power strip if the switch contacts get charred and intermittent in a few years. (I've never had trouble with that, but seems like it could happen.) (Also, not sure if there's any fire code against daisy-chaining power strips.)

David

[mjc]

Have to dig through all my links...problably won't get them up until tommorrow some time...or you can search trough the forums here for the old topic...


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Gun Control...hitting what you aim at!

[mjc]

Here (http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000864.html) is a link to your old topic...it was you after all.

And if you want to restrict access to the desktop and such the best bet would to be to run Win2k...but you can do a bunch of the same restrictions in 9x with a program called X-setup (http://www.xteq.com/), with it you can hide all drives, disallow changes to the desktop, etc.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Gun Control...hitting what you aim at!

[johnnywyoming]

Thanks mjc. The difference of course is that these computers will not be on the internet, using a browser or networked. xsetup looks very interesting. I will download it and play with it this weekend thanks.