Control Panel

I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

The speakers are integrated into the monitor. There are no physical
speaker controls. Deep Freeze was suggested, but will not work as it
only resets the settings upon a reboot. I found out to my surprise
that there were volume controls on the key board which the kids found
before I did. You apparently have experence with Steady State. If I
install it, will it stop volume changes from the volume keys on the
keyboard?

It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution. I have
learned the hard way that it is impossible to make any physical
control completely out of reach of the kids. You would be supprised
how inventive and intelligent 5 year olds are today. Certainly more
than I expected.


On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:25:08 -0500, "Twayne"
wrote:

In ,
David David typed:
I run a day care center. Part of my program provides PCs with
educational software for the children to use. The PCs are all XP/HOME
SP3. The accounts available to the kids are all user access accounts
with as few privleges as possible. Still, the more inventive kids
seem able to make undesireaable system changes.

What I want to know is whether or not I can restrict access to the
Control Panel. I don't really care if the kids can see Control Panel.
What I want is to prevent any user without administrative privleges
from actually using the Control Panel. Is this possible?

IMO you've had a couple of good programs recommended so far.
How about the physical speaker volume controls; are they accessible to
the kids? Turn them down so when they max out the PC volume it only rises to
a certain level that can be lived with.

I liked steadystate the time I tried it.

HTH,

Twayne

I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

The speakers are integrated into the monitor. There are no physical
speaker controls. Deep Freeze was suggested, but will not work as it
only resets the settings upon a reboot. I found out to my surprise
that there were volume controls on the key board which the kids found
before I did. You apparently have experence with Steady State. If I
install it, will it stop volume changes from the volume keys on the
keyboard?

It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution. I have
learned the hard way that it is impossible to make any physical
control completely out of reach of the kids. You would be supprised
how inventive and intelligent 5 year olds are today. Certainly more
than I expected.


On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:25:08 -0500, "Twayne"
wrote:

In ,
David David typed:
I run a day care center. Part of my program provides PCs with
educational software for the children to use. The PCs are all XP/HOME
SP3. The accounts available to the kids are all user access accounts
with as few privleges as possible. Still, the more inventive kids
seem able to make undesireaable system changes.

What I want to know is whether or not I can restrict access to the
Control Panel. I don't really care if the kids can see Control Panel.
What I want is to prevent any user without administrative privleges
from actually using the Control Panel. Is this possible?

IMO you've had a couple of good programs recommended so far.
How about the physical speaker volume controls; are they accessible to
the kids? Turn them down so when they max out the PC volume it only rises to
a certain level that can be lived with.

I liked steadystate the time I tried it.

HTH,

Twayne

David,
The function of Windows Steady State is to re-set *all* settings to a
pre-defined condition, so it prevents any user from making permanent changes to that
profile.

However, a user *may* make changes during any given login session (e.g. raising the
volume to God knows what) it's just that after they log out, everything will be
re-set when they login again.

So, it won't prevent a user from changing the volume level, it just won't stay that
way - as when the user next logs in, all changes made will be undone!


Another suggestion, if I may? If you download the [tiny & free] program
"TweakUI.exe" from Microsoft - there is an item within called "Control Panel" where
you can "de-select" (un-check) individual items to stop them from showing up in
Control Panel.

(After hearing about your kids - I should then make very sure that "TweakUI.exe" is
then carefully hidden from their view!)

You can download the quick install file for "TweakUI.exe" by clicking on the link
below :

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ertoySetup.exe

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




David wrote in message ...

clipped

I will give Windows Steady State a try. I don't know if it will work,
but it may. According to the description, it appears that Deep Freeze
will not work. The goal is to keep the sound volume low during a user
session, not just at reboot time.

clipped

David,
The function of Windows Steady State is to re-set *all* settings to a
pre-defined condition, so it prevents any user from making permanent changes to that
profile.

However, a user *may* make changes during any given login session (e.g. raising the
volume to God knows what) it's just that after they log out, everything will be
re-set when they login again.

So, it won't prevent a user from changing the volume level, it just won't stay that
way - as when the user next logs in, all changes made will be undone!


Another suggestion, if I may? If you download the [tiny & free] program
"TweakUI.exe" from Microsoft - there is an item within called "Control Panel" where
you can "de-select" (un-check) individual items to stop them from showing up in
Control Panel.

(After hearing about your kids - I should then make very sure that "TweakUI.exe" is
then carefully hidden from their view!)

You can download the quick install file for "TweakUI.exe" by clicking on the link
below :

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ertoySetup.exe

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




David wrote in message ...

clipped

I will give Windows Steady State a try. I don't know if it will work,
but it may. According to the description, it appears that Deep Freeze
will not work. The goal is to keep the sound volume low during a user
session, not just at reboot time.

clipped

My earlier reply;

....And with "TweakUI.exe", not only can you make individual Control Panel items
disappear from view, you can re-program those buttons on the keyboard (as in the Vol
up / down / mute - to do nothing instead).

That would be done in the "Explorer" "Command Keys" item in "TweakUI.exe".

See my earlier post for the download link.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




David wrote in message ...
I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

clipped

My earlier reply;

....And with "TweakUI.exe", not only can you make individual Control Panel items
disappear from view, you can re-program those buttons on the keyboard (as in the Vol
up / down / mute - to do nothing instead).

That would be done in the "Explorer" "Command Keys" item in "TweakUI.exe".

See my earlier post for the download link.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




David wrote in message ...
I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

clipped

Buy earplugs and let the kids play.

David wrote:
I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

The speakers are integrated into the monitor. There are no physical
speaker controls. Deep Freeze was suggested, but will not work as it
only resets the settings upon a reboot. I found out to my surprise
that there were volume controls on the key board which the kids found
before I did. You apparently have experence with Steady State. If I
install it, will it stop volume changes from the volume keys on the
keyboard?

It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution. I have
learned the hard way that it is impossible to make any physical
control completely out of reach of the kids. You would be supprised
how inventive and intelligent 5 year olds are today. Certainly more
than I expected.


On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:25:08 -0500, "Twayne"
wrote:

In ,
David David typed:
I run a day care center. Part of my program provides PCs with
educational software for the children to use. The PCs are all XP/HOME
SP3. The accounts available to the kids are all user access accounts
with as few privleges as possible. Still, the more inventive kids
seem able to make undesireaable system changes.

What I want to know is whether or not I can restrict access to the
Control Panel. I don't really care if the kids can see Control Panel.
What I want is to prevent any user without administrative privleges
from actually using the Control Panel. Is this possible?
IMO you've had a couple of good programs recommended so far.
How about the physical speaker volume controls; are they accessible to
the kids? Turn them down so when they max out the PC volume it only rises to
a certain level that can be lived with.

I liked steadystate the time I tried it.

HTH,

Twayne

Buy earplugs and let the kids play.

David wrote:
I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

The speakers are integrated into the monitor. There are no physical
speaker controls. Deep Freeze was suggested, but will not work as it
only resets the settings upon a reboot. I found out to my surprise
that there were volume controls on the key board which the kids found
before I did. You apparently have experence with Steady State. If I
install it, will it stop volume changes from the volume keys on the
keyboard?

It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution. I have
learned the hard way that it is impossible to make any physical
control completely out of reach of the kids. You would be supprised
how inventive and intelligent 5 year olds are today. Certainly more
than I expected.


On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:25:08 -0500, "Twayne"
wrote:

In ,
David David typed:
I run a day care center. Part of my program provides PCs with
educational software for the children to use. The PCs are all XP/HOME
SP3. The accounts available to the kids are all user access accounts
with as few privleges as possible. Still, the more inventive kids
seem able to make undesireaable system changes.

What I want to know is whether or not I can restrict access to the
Control Panel. I don't really care if the kids can see Control Panel.
What I want is to prevent any user without administrative privleges
from actually using the Control Panel. Is this possible?
IMO you've had a couple of good programs recommended so far.
How about the physical speaker volume controls; are they accessible to
the kids? Turn them down so when they max out the PC volume it only rises to
a certain level that can be lived with.

I liked steadystate the time I tried it.

HTH,

Twayne

In ,
David David typed:
I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

I think you are right.


The speakers are integrated into the monitor. There are no physical
speaker controls. Deep Freeze was suggested, but will not work as it
only resets the settings upon a reboot. I found out to my surprise
that there were volume controls on the key board which the kids found
before I did. You apparently have experence with Steady State. If I
install it, will it stop volume changes from the volume keys on the
keyboard?

I don't recall; sorry.

It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution.

If the speakers aren 't really needed, then that should work fine and would
be reasonably easy to reverse if they were needed for awhile. To get the
System Sounds coming through the computer's internal speaker (tada, beep,
boop, etc) again, it might be necessary to also uninstall the sound card
drivers or at least disable them in System Properties; their presence likely
turned off the system sounds to the internal speaker. IF you care, that is.

Hmm, or just uninstall the sound card? That's turn the system speakers back
on and as long as the installer CD software wasn't available, they couldn't
put the sound card back. Hardware won't run without drivers & support
software.

I have
learned the hard way that it is impossible to make any physical
control completely out of reach of the kids. You would be supprised
how inventive and intelligent 5 year olds are today. Certainly more
than I expected.

Yeah, and they have the luck of the young with them too it seems! BTDTG!


HTH,

Twayne




On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:25:08 -0500, "Twayne"
wrote:

In ,
David David typed:
I run a day care center. Part of my program provides PCs with
educational software for the children to use. The PCs are all
XP/HOME SP3. The accounts available to the kids are all user
access accounts with as few privleges as possible. Still, the more
inventive kids seem able to make undesireaable system changes.

What I want to know is whether or not I can restrict access to the
Control Panel. I don't really care if the kids can see Control
Panel. What I want is to prevent any user without administrative
privleges from actually using the Control Panel. Is this possible?

IMO you've had a couple of good programs recommended so far.
How about the physical speaker volume controls; are they
accessible to the kids? Turn them down so when they max out the PC
volume it only rises to a certain level that can be lived with.

I liked steadystate the time I tried it.

HTH,

Twayne

In ,
David David typed:
I guess time a big issue is my time. I have been hoping for the
simplest possible solution. It appears that may not be possible.

I think you are right.


The speakers are integrated into the monitor. There are no physical
speaker controls. Deep Freeze was suggested, but will not work as it
only resets the settings upon a reboot. I found out to my surprise
that there were volume controls on the key board which the kids found
before I did. You apparently have experence with Steady State. If I
install it, will it stop volume changes from the volume keys on the
keyboard?

I don't recall; sorry.

It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution.

If the speakers aren 't really needed, then that should work fine and would
be reasonably easy to reverse if they were needed for awhile. To get the
System Sounds coming through the computer's internal speaker (tada, beep,
boop, etc) again, it might be necessary to also uninstall the sound card
drivers or at least disable them in System Properties; their presence likely
turned off the system sounds to the internal speaker. IF you care, that is.

Hmm, or just uninstall the sound card? That's turn the system speakers back
on and as long as the installer CD software wasn't available, they couldn't
put the sound card back. Hardware won't run without drivers & support
software.

I have
learned the hard way that it is impossible to make any physical
control completely out of reach of the kids. You would be supprised
how inventive and intelligent 5 year olds are today. Certainly more
than I expected.

Yeah, and they have the luck of the young with them too it seems! BTDTG!


HTH,

Twayne




On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:25:08 -0500, "Twayne"
wrote:

In ,
David David typed:
I run a day care center. Part of my program provides PCs with
educational software for the children to use. The PCs are all
XP/HOME SP3. The accounts available to the kids are all user
access accounts with as few privleges as possible. Still, the more
inventive kids seem able to make undesireaable system changes.

What I want to know is whether or not I can restrict access to the
Control Panel. I don't really care if the kids can see Control
Panel. What I want is to prevent any user without administrative
privleges from actually using the Control Panel. Is this possible?

IMO you've had a couple of good programs recommended so far.
How about the physical speaker volume controls; are they
accessible to the kids? Turn them down so when they max out the PC
volume it only rises to a certain level that can be lived with.

I liked steadystate the time I tried it.

HTH,

Twayne

In message , Twayne
writes:

In ,
David David typed:
[]
It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution.

If the speakers aren 't really needed, then that should work fine and
would be reasonably easy to reverse if they were needed for awhile. To
get the System Sounds coming through the computer's internal speaker
(tada, beep, boop, etc) again, it might be necessary to also uninstall
the sound card drivers or at least disable them in System Properties;
their presence likely turned off the system sounds to the internal
speaker. IF you care, that is.
[]
The startup beep (at turnon), and a few others (such as the "I'm too
hot" motherboard alarm, if it has one, or other very low-level
diagnostics), come through an internal speaker (or in some cases buzzer
on the mobo itself), driven by a logic output. The .wav sounds that are
part of Windows, such as tada, will only come through an internal
speaker if the sound card is wired up that way: if it is, it's probably
to a separate (though still internal) speaker. Only some PCs are
supplied this way (i. e. such that if you unplug speakers, sound comes
from an internal one).

[There were some drivers in the early days that made true .wav sounds
come out of the internal logic-only speaker, but I think they were DOS
only - certainly nothing later than Windows 3.x; they were designed for
people who had no sound card (or sound chips) at all, and the quality
was such that it was more it's-amazing-it-works-at-all rather than much
cop.]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Hit any user to continue.

In message , Twayne
writes:

In ,
David David typed:
[]
It appears that physicaly removing the audio cable between the PC and
the monitor may be the best and only possible solution.

If the speakers aren 't really needed, then that should work fine and
would be reasonably easy to reverse if they were needed for awhile. To
get the System Sounds coming through the computer's internal speaker
(tada, beep, boop, etc) again, it might be necessary to also uninstall
the sound card drivers or at least disable them in System Properties;
their presence likely turned off the system sounds to the internal
speaker. IF you care, that is.
[]
The startup beep (at turnon), and a few others (such as the "I'm too
hot" motherboard alarm, if it has one, or other very low-level
diagnostics), come through an internal speaker (or in some cases buzzer
on the mobo itself), driven by a logic output. The .wav sounds that are
part of Windows, such as tada, will only come through an internal
speaker if the sound card is wired up that way: if it is, it's probably
to a separate (though still internal) speaker. Only some PCs are
supplied this way (i. e. such that if you unplug speakers, sound comes
from an internal one).

[There were some drivers in the early days that made true .wav sounds
come out of the internal logic-only speaker, but I think they were DOS
only - certainly nothing later than Windows 3.x; they were designed for
people who had no sound card (or sound chips) at all, and the quality
was such that it was more it's-amazing-it-works-at-all rather than much
cop.]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Hit any user to continue.

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote in
:

SNIP

more it's-amazing-it-works-at-all rather than much cop.

"Much cop"... Is this a Brit expression I am unfamiliar with?
Please clarify.


--
There are only two classifications of disk drives: Broken drives
and those that will break later.
- Chuck Armstrong (This one I think, http://www.cleanreg.com/,
not the ball player. But who knows. I can't remember where I got
the quote. But it's true.)

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote in
:

SNIP

more it's-amazing-it-works-at-all rather than much cop.

"Much cop"... Is this a Brit expression I am unfamiliar with?
Please clarify.


--
There are only two classifications of disk drives: Broken drives
and those that will break later.
- Chuck Armstrong (This one I think, http://www.cleanreg.com/,
not the ball player. But who knows. I can't remember where I got
the quote. But it's true.)

In message , thanatoid
writes:
"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote in
:

SNIP

more it's-amazing-it-works-at-all rather than much cop.

"Much cop"... Is this a Brit expression I am unfamiliar with?
Please clarify.


Sorry, I hadn't realised it might be Brit only - if indeed it is.
Actually, I've only ever seen it in the negative - "not much cop";
Chambers doesn't define it. A Google search finds plenty of examples,
and the following two definitions
http://www.usingenglish.com/referenc...+much+cop.html
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/be+much+cop
, but they don't explain its origin. Including "not" in the search also
throws up
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_b...sages/207.html
http://www.answers.com/topic/cop

Anyway - the old
play-sound-files-through-the-internal-speaker-when-there's-no-sound-card
routines weren't very good, though startling to hear when you'd only
ever heard it make beeps and clicks before. But AFAIK, nobody ever made
them work even under '9x, let alone XP, as sound cards had become almost
a default option, and also they required pretty full use of the
processor, which the GUIs are reluctant to give up.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Hit any user to continue.