NationStates Jolt Archive

My mom wants me to secretly shut off my brother's computer so he cannot do anything on it when I'm home alone tommorrow.

I know the only thing that stops the computer from powering on is the on/off switch in the back. Anything else?

I remember my dad grounding me and putting a password lock on my computer when I turned it on. It wouldn't even go to my OS. How would I do that?

EDIT: And I need to be able to get the computer to work normally again, of course.

Depends on your OS. Assuming it's WinXP, you can put a password up on the computer by going to 'Control Panel', then selecting 'User Accounts'. Choose an account to change, then you'll have the option of adding a password.

I can't think of any quick and simple ways of sabotaging the power altogether, and I wouldn't advise doing them anyway unless you're used to working inside computers.

Password is your easiest bet, but also the most obvious one.

Bios.

Enter the setup. (look for the display when powering up) usually something like F12 or something. depending on make or modle of your pc.

in there look for security and power on password.

WARNING: do NOT forget the password. Loose it and you have to hunt for the jumper on your motherboard to remove it, or you will have to reformat and reinstall everything.

Bios.

Enter the setup. (look for the display when powering up) usually something like F12 or something. depending on make or modle of your pc.

in there look for security and power on password.

WARNING: do NOT forget the password. Loose it and you have to hunt for the jumper on your motherboard to remove it, or you will have to reformat and reinstall everything.
;) The password will be my name. Thanks.

another (albeit simple and obvious) solution is to pull the power cord out of the back and hide it somewhere. Assuming your brother doesn't have another one stashed away somewhere, he'll have quite a time getting his computer to turn on. (you might want to take the one for the monitor as well) Have fun! :D

Dude--just steal the power cord and put it in your mom's purse. Passwords can be figured out, but you can't power up a computer without a cord. Why go high-tech when low-tech will work just fine? :D

another (albeit simple and obvious) solution is to pull the power cord out of the back and hide it somewhere. Assuming your brother doesn't have another one stashed away somewhere, he'll have quite a time getting his computer to turn on. (you might want to take the one for the monitor as well) Have fun! :D
...*slaps self*

Even better than the previous bit of advice. Thanks. :D

*will hide it in my pants, seriously*

...*slaps self*

Even better than the previous bit of advice. Thanks. :D

*will hide it in my pants, seriously*

glad i could help

glad i could help
We must have been posting damn near simultaneously. :D

Could just take out the on/off wire from the motherboard and put it back in when you need to. Hehehe...

We must have been posting damn near simultaneously. :D
I seem to have a way of doing that....


Perhaps I have the innate ability to forsee what someone's about to post, then I post it myself and claim that it's mine.
(luckily in this case, my post came first, so you'd have a heck of a time sueing for plagirism (sp?) :D)

I would not recomend the BIOS option. There are alot of thing in there that can damage the computer permantly (trust me I know). I would take the power cord and give it to your mom. If your bro is impatient the password would be easier. BTW why isn't you bro allowed on the computer while home alone?

I would not recomend the BIOS option. There are alot of thing in there that can damage the computer permantly (trust me I know). I would take the power cord and give it to your mom. If your bro is impatient the password would be easier. BTW why isn't you bro allowed on the computer while home alone?
Sorry, I typed it confusingly.

I meant when I was home alone tommorrow I have to terminate this kid's computer.

And he is hooked onto the computer. He's autistic and gets extremely hyper. He (rather annonying and purposely obnoxiously) watches DVD movies at full volume.

Particularly "Bad Boys 2". He seems to find it funny replaying the more....bad parts.

I usually wake up to the following noises on weekends...

"White Power! White Power! White power!"
"Aww n*****, my headlights!"
"Fuck"

If I keep going this will just turn into a mindless rant.

If you're afraid he has an extra power cord, you can open up the computer and remove the power source.

Pull out the RAM. It'll make funny beeping noises when he tries to turn it on, and he'll go schitzoid thinking his machine is broken.

Remove the CPU...

Or...unplug the power supply cord from the drive...or the IDE... make it subtle. Something to drive him nuts.

I just thought of a great one. Remove the cord that connects the on switch on the front of the box to the motherboard.

I just thought of a great one. Remove the cord that connects the on switch on the front of the box to the motherboard.
Woah slow down there. We're talking about outsmarting a kid who cannot figure out the password just might be "password" or even his own name. Baby steps. :D

Besides, I'm not going to mess inside a computer.

I just thought of a great one. Remove the cord that connects the on switch on the front of the box to the motherboard.
That's a bitch to connect - how deliciously evil. :D

Besides, I'm not going to mess inside a computer.

But that's the fun part.

When you steal the power cord, make sure to leave a small part of it behind. He'll pay more if he knows his beloved cord is in danger.

Or if you have access to an administrator account on the computer, just disable his account. Go to Start → Run → compmgmt.msc then Local Users and Groups → Users. Double-click on his account. Tick the Account is disabled box then hit OK. Make sure you disable other accounts he has access to as well.

My mom wants me to secretly shut off my brother's computer so he cannot do anything on it when I'm home alone tommorrow.

I know the only thing that stops the computer from powering on is the on/off switch in the back. Anything else?

I remember my dad grounding me and putting a password lock on my computer when I turned it on. It wouldn't even go to my OS. How would I do that?

EDIT: And I need to be able to get the computer to work normally again, of course.
Take the processor out and put it in your pocket until you're ready for the computer to work again...or take out all the ram...or unplug the fans...

Take the processor out and put it in your pocket until you're ready for the computer to work again...or take out all the ram...or unplug the fans...
Psst, MSN. ahora.

I was going to suggest hiding the power cord...but it seems that I've been beaten to the punch. :p

...*slaps self*

Even better than the previous bit of advice. Thanks. :D

*will hide it in my pants, seriously*
And you can savour your families expressions when your parents tell you to give it back, and you pull it out of your pants.

My mom wants me to secretly shut off my brother's computer so he cannot do anything on it when I'm home alone tommorrow.

I know the only thing that stops the computer from powering on is the on/off switch in the back. Anything else?

I remember my dad grounding me and putting a password lock on my computer when I turned it on. It wouldn't even go to my OS. How would I do that?

EDIT: And I need to be able to get the computer to work normally again, of course.

1. BIOS password would be an option. If the system has one; it can be set from the BIOS setup (Generally hitting CTRL+ALT+DEL, F2, F10 depending on system)..

2. Win2k/XP passwords are ok.... But not very foolproof (unless you've got the thing on a Domain); I have a floppy disk I could use to "reset" the OS password, without even needing to logon (It uses a striped down linux distro + a Windows Registry Editor; to decrypt and change password settings for loging onto accounts)... And the "Tool" to do so can be found online... (I've used it for people who have forgotted their logon passwords before; to reset them externally...)

OK, being sensible not pulling out the internals of the PC (as all that does is trash things).

1. Put password on BIOS. One problem - if you forget the password you need to pull out a jumper on the motherboard to reset the BIOS

NOT RECOMMENDED

2. If you are using Windows XP Professional, set-up accounts for all users except those who can't have access. Disable "Guest" access. Make sure you stay Administrator or you can't go change things later.

3. If you are using Windows XP Home, this is a little harder. As every new user created seems be an Administrator. Same as Windows XP Professional still and Windows 2000 is the same too.

4. For Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and ME - not much security. BIOS option.

5. Allow him to use the computer but remove the speakers? Maybe disable the sound card instead.

6. Declare him an illegal alien

I would not recomend the BIOS option. There are alot of thing in there that can damage the computer permantly (trust me I know). I would take the power cord and give it to your mom. If your bro is impatient the password would be easier. BTW why isn't you bro allowed on the computer while home alone?
A flash will cure what ales that lol

But yeah simple is probably best ... power coard ... but I would recomend the windows xp password anyways ... always a good security mesure to leave on

(make SURE admin acounts have a pass)

1. BIOS password would be an option. If the system has one; it can be set from the BIOS setup (Generally hitting CTRL+ALT+DEL, F2, F10 depending on system)..


Never seen the CTRL ALT DEL option for bios boot

Add to your list f1 esc and Delete keys


2. Win2k/XP passwords are ok.... But not very foolproof (unless you've got the thing on a Domain); I have a floppy disk I could use to "reset" the OS password, without even needing to logon (It uses a striped down linux distro + a Windows Registry Editor; to decrypt and change password settings for loging onto accounts)... And the "Tool" to do so can be found online... (I've used it for people who have forgotted their logon passwords before; to reset them externally...)
Curious do you use the boot time loader one (win XP disk you boot to and load the disk as SCSI drivers) thats the one we use
Also a version of knopix will do it as well

OR SuperwinPE

A flash will cure what ales that lol

But yeah simple is probably best ... power coard ... but I would recomend the windows xp password anyways ... always a good security mesure to leave on

(make SURE admin acounts have a pass)

Give me 5 minutes with your passworded XP accounts with my special floppy disk or BootCD; and I can remove every password on the XP system :> Including the Administrator ones :>

Actually the best option is likely impractical.

1. Get a Win2k or 2k3 Server
2. Set up a Domain
3. Add the computer to the domain.
4. Disable all local accounts on the machine except "SYSTEM" and "SERVICE"

You would need access to a Domain Control to do my trick, then....

I think user in question is a not System Administator. :)

I am the Systems Programmer and acting IT Support Officer (as we don't have one at the moment) at work.

Give me 5 minutes with your passworded XP accounts with my special floppy disk or BootCD; and I can remove every password on the XP system :> Including the Administrator ones :>

Actually the best option is likely impractical.

1. Get a Win2k or 2k3 Server
2. Set up a Domain
3. Add the computer to the domain.
4. Disable all local accounts on the machine except "SYSTEM" and "SERVICE"

You would need access to a Domain Control to do my trick, then....
I understand but you got to conceder we are dealing with a brother that is likely to get thrown off by a missing power cord

I understand I have reset enough passwords in my day and run my own domain I do understand the concept


But setting the admin accounts passwords (including on home “administrator” and or “admin” radically helps in viral situations that take advantage of open admin accounts)

Oh and btw Win servers are the easy way out … try a samba domain controller :)

Take out the power breakers for the whole house. The kid will think there's a power outage and won't make a big fuss.

Take out the power breakers for the whole house. The kid will think there's a power outage and won't make a big fuss.
Then how will I get to my own computer? ;)

Never seen the CTRL ALT DEL option for bios boot

Add to your list f1 esc and Delete keys


Curious do you use the boot time loader one (win XP disk you boot to and load the disk as SCSI drivers) thats the one we use
Also a version of knopix will do it as well

OR SuperwinPE

No, mine uses a stripped linux Distro, with NTFS drivers and a command-line based registry editor... It's an "offline" Password Reset tool... Designed by Peter Nordahl-Hagen... But very usefull....

You can't "change" the passwords if they are encrypted still; but you can still set them to blank (which comes to about the same thing); as you can then logon, without a password; and set it to whatever you like from inside the system... It also allows you to re-enable lockedout or disabled accounts...

Then how will I get to my own computer? ;)
Mmmm.. Laptop?

No, mine uses a stripped linux Distro, with NTFS drivers and a command-line based registry editor... It's an "offline" Password Reset tool... Designed by Peter Nordahl-Hagen... But very usefull....

Hey, I had looked for NTFS drivers up and down all Linuxdom and found none that would allow me to read and write to an NTFS partition. Where did you get those?

No, mine uses a stripped linux Distro, with NTFS drivers and a command-line based registry editor... It's an "offline" Password Reset tool... Designed by Peter Nordahl-Hagen... But very usefull....

You can't "change" the passwords if they are encrypted still; but you can still set them to blank (which comes to about the same thing); as you can then logon, without a password; and set it to whatever you like from inside the system... It also allows you to re-enable lockedout or disabled accounts...
Sounds similar to what we use … default throws selected accounts back to a generic 12345 pass

Hey, I had looked for NTFS drivers up and down all Linuxdom and found none that would allow me to read and write to an NTFS partition. Where did you get those?
There are dos bassed and *nix based ones I could hunt down for you

With dos NTFSpro if I remember right but its been a year lol

As far as distros that alow NTFS Read write I know knopix does

I understand but you got to conceder we are dealing with a brother that is likely to get thrown off by a missing power cord

I understand I have reset enough passwords in my day and run my own domain I do understand the concept


But setting the admin accounts passwords (including on home “administrator” and or “admin” radically helps in viral situations that take advantage of open admin accounts)

Oh and btw Win servers are the easy way out … try a samba domain controller :)

Eh, I've had issues with Samba before... And in some cases it has been "too" secure....

I once spent hours at an offsite location in the boondocks, merely because the Samba based DC running on a RedHat system refused to remove a system that had to be restored to a point before it was added to the domain.

I pretty much had to start over from scratch.... For some reason the Samba Server treats Clients much like Win2k/2k3 Server treats Domain Controlers; you need to remove the machines from the Domain from the client, and cannot from the server... Which presents a problem when it is a client that doesn't actuall exist anymore; or is not part of the domain...

I'm actually more interested in NetWare's interaction with Linux as a more viable alternative than Samba...

NTFS Read/Writer for DOS/Windows 98

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/NtfsDosProfessional.html

Hey, I had looked for NTFS drivers up and down all Linuxdom and found none that would allow me to read and write to an NTFS partition. Where did you get those?

The Linux-dev NTFS driver 2.5.11 has write code in it; to a limited extent. You can change and rewrite files; but canot add or delete....

Since it's a registry issue; no adding or deleting is needed. By default it is set to read-only; but you can configure for write access...

My dad used to take the keyboard + mouse away.

Eh, I've had issues with Samba before... And in some cases it has been "too" secure....

I once spent hours at an offsite location in the boondocks, merely because the Samba based DC running on a RedHat system refused to remove a system that had to be restored to a point before it was added to the domain.

I pretty much had to start over from scratch.... For some reason the Samba Server treats Clients much like Win2k/2k3 Server treats Domain Controlers; you need to remove the machines from the Domain from the client, and cannot from the server... Which presents a problem when it is a client that doesn't actuall exist anymore; or is not part of the domain...

I'm actually more interested in NetWare's interaction with Linux as a more viable alternative than Samba...
Hmmm haven’t run into that issue before

NTFS Read/Writer for DOS/Windows 98

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/NtfsDosProfessional.html
HAHA I was close not NTFS pro we used NTFSDosPRO as a base … god its been too long I got lazy using a modified version of SuperWin

Just suggestion Colodia

Some PC cases use a key and lock system to enable to access the drives and on/off switch. Most don't but I think these are actually server cases. We have two servers at work with that type of case.

Bios.

Enter the setup. (look for the display when powering up) usually something like F12 or something. depending on make or modle of your pc.

in there look for security and power on password.

WARNING: do NOT forget the password. Loose it and you have to hunt for the jumper on your motherboard to remove it, or you will have to reformat and reinstall everything.


reformatting wont do anything to the password because the bios information isnt stored on the harddrive

Just suggestion Colodia

Some PC cases use a key and lock system to enable to access the drives and on/off switch. Most don't but I think these are actually server cases. We have two servers at work with that type of case.
You can get them on all kinds of cases … though more often in full size ATX cases (which ARE often used as server cases)

I have had some mid sized ones as well though

reformatting wont do anything to the password because the bios information isnt stored on the harddrive
Correct … a simple BIOS flash will get it

Step 1 - Remove the power cable from the PC.

Step 2 - Fasten child to a secure immovable object using power cable.

If all else fails, format the child and flash his BIOS.