[Rockster1987]

My current roommate is constantly changing my password for windows. I'm not sure of any specifics, but I believe he's bypassing it via the BIOS. Is there a way to prevent this?

[Ent]

If I remember correctly, it is possible to lock the computer at boot with a password, something in that options menu that lets you select a drive to boot from and whatnot. The trouble is if your roommate is that much of a hacker he could probably get bios password crackers without too much difficulty, and of course if you officially share the computer he'd have to know the password anyway.

The other thing to make sure of is that he isn't logging on as an administrator (including the hidden administrator account) which would afford him full control over all accounts in utter disregard for passwords.

So yes, there are security measures to block casual amateur hackers but like physical locks: if a key can open it, so can a pick in the hands of skilled user.

[Elvandil]

What kind of password is it and when does it appear? Is it at the start of boot before Windows loads or just before you get to your desktop?

[Rockster1987]

I have it pw protected at windows login and when it comes back from screensaver. I'm on an asus laptop and it came with the face recognition software. I thought about enabling that, but I'm afraid he'd find a way around that too. Any thoughts?

[Elvandil]

If the only password on the machine at this time is the one for Windows login, then try using the BIOS password at boot before Windows loads. Enter BIOS setup and find where to choose the password.

[AKAJohnDoe]

Get a new roomate, one who respects you.

[Ent]

Is this your computer, or does your roommate also have an account on it?

[Rockster1987]

To answer the last 2 posts..I can't move into my college apt until august and no my roommate doesn't have an account, he gets around my pw through the bios.

[AKAJohnDoe]

Take the power cord and mouse with you when you leave.

[lunarlander]

Are you using XP or Vista? And is it Home, Buissness or Ultimate ?

[Rockster1987]

I'm on an asus laptop with vista home premium. I've thought about using the face recognition software that came with it, but I dunno how easy that'd be to get around.

[TheShooter93]

Go into the BIOS and look around to enable the boot password to be enabled. Not too many ways to get around that. ^_^

That and, as a side note....I've seen people with keys to get into their computers and I think I might want one....how would I get one? And how would I set the software(?) up and stuff for it?

[1002richards]

Hi,
You could look at Compusec (freeware) as an extra layer of security:
http://www.ce-infosys.com/english/do...free_compusec/

Richard