kid's computer

[Skinner]

Can anyone recommend a good desktop lockdown program to keep kids from screwing up their own computer?

Maybe I’m not using the correct name for this kind of app. An example, when I take my daughter to the public library they have a bunch of computers there with pre-loaded games on them for the kids to play. The desktop is just a plain blue background and on it are a bunch of short cuts to the games. The kids click what they want to play and that’s all they can do. It’s beautiful. They can’t change any settings, they can delete anything, and they can’t mess anything up. I’ve asked the library computer tech guy there what program he is running but he doesn’t know. I’ve been unable to find out what they’re running.

I wanted to do the same thing on my daughter’s computer. Load a bunch of images for her games, lock the desktop and have only those short cuts, and let her play at will.

Can anyone recommend anything or know how to do that with windows xp?

Thanks.

[Jakub]

Can't you do that with user permissions in Windows NT/2000/XP?

You know, create a "secure" account where they're not allowed to install or modify any configuration, and you as the administrator will install the programs they want/require after checking them out?

[Murph]

Yeah, you can set up accounts with varying levels of permission. I'd just give your kids their own account. Might password-protect your own, too, if you're worried about that.

[Skinner]

I think so, but I haven't figured it out yet. When I did mess with it, it still allowed access to the start menu and other stuff. I'm sure I did something wrong.

I was hoping I could find an idiot proof application to use without having to mess around with MS. I guess I'll give it another whirl unless something else comes up. From what I remember I couldn't figure out how to 'lock stuff' in the user account set up.

[Stroker Ace]

http://www.deepfreezeusa.com/standard.htm

Try that out... it's not too expensive, and it kills any changes the kids might make. That will screw up their saved games though, unless you install the games to a special "unfrozen" directory, which isn't too hard.

[XPav]

Can't you do that with user permissions in Windows NT/2000/XP?

You know, create a "secure" account where they're not allowed to install or modify any configuration, and you as the administrator will install the programs they want/require after checking them out?

I'm sure that'd get some of it, but unless he then goes in and makes sure the rest of his documents and files are set properly, the computer will probably still fall victim to the "whoops daddy I didn't mean to find the magic file that if you delete the entire computer will break" syndrome.

Some searching, finds this (www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000067O2G/qid=1071522919/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-9946542-8124747?v=glance&s=software). and it looks like that company does others stuff like that and has a variety of packages.

As to what the library did, 2000 and XP have all the hooks needed and options to put together an install that you can't touch, however, it sounds like the entire image was specifically created for libraries by someone, without using software.

[Skinner]

Thanks for the suggestion Ace. Either I can't figure it out, there isn't enough options, or Windows XP doesn't do what I'm envisioning. I tried it just now modifying the account but access is still there (you can still see it on the screen anyway). I don't want it visible for her. Just her games and point and click.

I'll check out deep freeze now.

If I'm wrong on the XP part, I'd love for someone to point out my ignorance.

[Skinner]

Thanks XPav. I'll check this out too. BTW - Love your new location. :D

My searches had turned up stuff that looked exceedingly complex. And, well, recently, I've been a lazy bastard quite honestly. I've put it off long enough and I'm surprised I found even this much energy. This is our six old daughter's computer I just built. That took too damn long as it is. Our twins just turned two and have completely exhausted me, plus my wife is due January 9th. I'm surprised I've survived.

Beware of women from large families...... :wink:

Anyway, I need to get this set up for my oldest before the next one comes and I find I have virtually no available time. So idiot proof at this point would be welcome.