Help Question for the 'Puter Savvy....

[BlondeBeauty]

Help me, help me, help me.
And a big thank you just for reading this.

To put it midly, I have an obnoxious roomie who insists on using my 'puter. Hey, don't get me wrong, I have no problems sharing things. HOWEVER, roomie has a perfectly good computer of her own, she just prefers mine. This means that when I walk in the room, she'll continue to IM away or write emails on my 'puter, regardless of whether I have work to do or not.

I tried passwording my computer, thinking she would get a clue. We've talked about this before, but she won't listen.

I tried to set up a "Users" option on my 'puter, but you can still click "Cancel" and sign as a guest or whatever.

Please, please help.

I'll uhhh...owe you a million dollars. Yeah.

Thanks.

 

[BlondeBeauty]

While you're at it...

*cough*

Does anyone else's computer clock stop running when the computer goes idle?

Having to reset it all the time is getting old.

Help me fix it? Puh-lease? How's about another million?

Thank ya'.

 

[modest mouse]

This is a roomate problem, not a computer problem.

I would approach the roomate and draw some clear lines, she will next be using many other things besides your computer.

 

[Renegade]

Baseball bat to the back of her head would be a big help.

But that's just me.

 

[BlondeBeauty]

Roomate problems?
I have roomate problems comin' outta my ears...

Think it does much good to politely ask your roomie to stop using your 'puter when she has previously grinned as she tells you how she would like to hire someone to kill her parents?

I think not.

I like my head attached to my body, thankyouverymuch.

Save the redhead's sanity!
Helpa, helpa, helpa me. (I don't know what that line is from...Hmmm...)

 

[AskACumSlut]

And the reason you didn't ask a simple question like this to me? Maybe I should change my name......

 

[Dillinger]

I think you need a new roomate.

As far as the clock problem goes... your battery is dead and you need to replace it.

 

[Dillinger]

Short of getting a new roomate - your computer might be equiped with power on cabability. This is a password you can enable that will prevent anyone from powering on your computer who doesn't know the password. If your computer has this option it would be in the setup options prior to Windows loading (try holding down the PF10 key as you boot up your computer AND be careful what you change!)

 

[BlondeBeauty]

*groan*

If you guys all have my 'puter level of expertise it is a sad, sad world.

 

[registered "^^"]

Short of getting a new roomate - your computer might be equiped with power on cabability. This is a password you can enable that will prevent anyone from powering on your computer who doesn't know the password. If your computer has this option it would be in the setup options prior to Windows loading (try holding down the PF10 key as you boot up your computer AND be careful what you change!)

Yep he is right.......go to setup, it has a password option. Puter will not even boot up till a password is typed in, BUT DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE IN SETUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Weird Harold]

Help me, help me, help me.
And a big thank you just for reading this.
...
I tried to set up a "Users" option on my 'puter, but you can still click "Cancel" and sign as a guest or whatever.

Do you have TWEAKUI available on your computer?

If you do, set up a username for yourself other than the Default User.

Once you have a copy of your default user log off and use cancel to log in as the default user.

Use TweakUI to remove access to all drives and folders -- make the default user as useless as possible. Delete everything from the default user start menu and desktop.

Log out and log back in as your new username, and you should be back in business with a system that is more of a pain for your roommate to use than her own.

 

[Tribbin]

Short of getting a new roomate - your computer might be equiped with power on cabability. This is a password you can enable that will prevent anyone from powering on your computer who doesn't know the password. If your computer has this option it would be in the setup options prior to Windows loading (try holding down the PF10 key as you boot up your computer AND be careful what you change!)

You can change this in your bios before windows loads. It's not always F10 though. It depends on the company that makes your BIOS. Just watch as your computer boots up and it will says something like "Hit *buttin* to enter setup". Hit that button and you are in business. Just be careful. You can really really mess up your computer from there.

 

[JazzManJim]

BIOS Password.

BB, when you first start up your computer, you usually get a bunch of stuff on the screen before Windows boots up. One of the things you'll see is a message that says "Hit <button name> to enter Setup". Most times, that button is the delete key.

These are your BIOS settings. There's a very useful way to password your comptuer in there, as well as some other stuff you really don't want to touch. One of th eoptions you should have is to set a password. Set that, and every time you start up your computer, you'll have to type in that password to go on. Don't forget that password! If you do, the only way I know of is tio open up your computer, remove the battery on the motherboard for a couple minutes, and plug it back in.

But, from what you've said about your clock, you probably need a new battery anyhow. That's not an expensive thing. Take it to a computer store, have them replace it, and while you're there, have them install a password from the BIOS settings.

If you ever just go in there and look around, you can always exit without making any changes. One of the choices when you exit is to "Save without Changes". Select that, and nothing you've done will be saved. Your computer will boot away happily.

But remember, once you've set your BIOS password, you have to shut off your computer once your'e done with it. It doesn't work otherwise.

Hope this helps. PM me if you need more help!

 

[SexuallyGifted]

Bios password is the best way to go, but something simpler is to turn the pc off on the back of your case. Most ATX cases have a switch just above or below where the cord plugs in.

If you go the with the bios password & forget it, just shut it down and grab the mother board book and find out which jumper resets the bios and flash it back to original settings then go back into the bios and choose a new password.

Just be sure you do'nt flash the bios with it plugged into a wall socket. Even with the power turned off you have a +5V power running thru your system

 

[BlondeBeauty]

When I restart my computer, I don't get any kind of BIOS message at all before Windows loads. It's just a Norton AntiVirus message, says "Scanning..." (a few things), then Windows pops up.

I have Windows 98.

Helpity, helpity, help.

I tried a few different buttons as it loads, but it's not doing anything for me. LOL

Campus computer help desk was actually NO help.

Thanks so much to everyone who posted.

May have to make a call to Dell tomorrow. Grrrr...I don't have time to be on hold for hours. LOL

 

[p_p_man]

When I restart my computer, I don't get any kind of BIOS message at all before Windows loads.

It's just after the beginning of the start up. Usually at the bottom of the screen after a load of other information. And it's white type on black background.

It shows on the screen for about 3-4 seconds before the computer enters the next sequence, so to enter BIOS you have to have your finger poise.

Just keep booting up until you see it and then boot up a couple of more times to get used to it.

Then push the button.

 

[kiwiwolf]

Try rining your ISP help desk. With luck and a good operator they can walk you through it over the phone. If you explain to them that she has unauthorised access to your internet account they shouldn't have too much trouble with your request.

 

[kiwiwolf]

Try ringing your ISP help desk. With luck and a good operator they can walk you through it over the phone. If you explain to them that she has unauthorised access to your internet account they shouldn't have too much trouble with your request.

 

[BlondeBeauty]

%#$%^&$$#$%#@$%@%#@.

Pardon me.

Momentary gutter mouth.

Just stopping through to tell you all that I have a mutant computer, and that I will be calling Dell in the morning.

Thanks for the effort!

 

[JazzManJim]

Sorry we couldn't help.

Hope you get your problems fixed soon - computer and otherwise.

I'm sorry we couldn't be of more help. We love you anyhow.