[horrorofdeb]

Can anyone tell if there anyway I can lock up my computer?To keep people off of it.Do I need to buy something for this?

[help4me]

What operating system are you running?

[Shamou]

Check this link for many threads on the subject... http://forums.techguy.org/search.php?searchid=81176

[horrorofdeb]

windows xp. Shamou link doesn't work

[help4me]

try here

[help4me]

or try doing this

To lock a computer in a domain environment
1.
Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.

2.
Click Lock Computer.

Windows displays the Computer Locked dialog box. Your system is now locked, preventing everyone except you or a system administrator from unlocking your system and viewing any open files or programs.


Note

• To unlock your computer, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, type your password, and then click OK.

[help4me]

here's something else you can try

Create a Shortcut to Lock Your Computer
Published: May 18, 2001

Submitted by Scott Schnoll, Portland, Oregon

Leaving your computer in a hurry but you don't want to log off? You can double-click a shortcut on your desktop to quickly lock the keyboard and display without using CTRL+ALT+DEL or a screensaver.

To create a shortcut on your desktop to lock your computer:

1.
Right-click the desktop.

2.
Point to New, and then click Shortcut.

3.
The Create Shortcut Wizard opens. In the text box, type the following:
rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

4.
Click Next.

5.
Enter a name for the shortcut. You can call it "Lock Workstation" or choose any name you like.

6.
Click Finish.


You can also change the shortcut's icon (my personal favorite is the padlock icon in shell32.dll).

To change the icon:

1.
Right click the shortcut and then select Properties.

2.
Click the Shortcut tab, and then click the Change Icon button.

3.
In the Look for icons in this file text box, type:
Shell32.dll.

4.
Click OK.

5.
Select one of the icons from the list and then click OK


You could also give it a shortcut keystroke such CTRL+ALT+L. This would save you only one keystroke from the normal command, but it could be more convenient.

To add a shortcut keystroke:

1.
Right click the shortcut and then select Properties.

2.
Click on the Shortcut tab.

3.
In the Shorcut key text box, type any key and Windows XP will convert it to a shortcut, usually in combination with the CRTL+ALT keys.


To lock your keyboard and display, double click the shortcut or use the Shortcut keys.

[TechGuy]

Moving this to Tips & Tricks.

[coachdan32]

Does it leave it where you were, but prevent anyone from navigating elsewhere? How do you unlock it?

[lunchbox]

Another idea i saw on thinkgeek, unsure how well it works in practice but in theory it seems like quite a feasible idea.

Its essentially a wireless lock. When the software is installed, a usb device is plugged in which searches for a signal from a transmitter attached to your keys. When you walk away from the computer it automatically locks, and returns to normal use when you re-enter the range.

[JohnWill]

There are USB "keys" that will lock the system unless the key is inserted to use it.

I like the idea of the wireless lock, pretty slick.

[HandleX]

i think "Lock current user" would be the best bet for your sitatuion.

OR

do you wnat to lock down the whole computer, so that it is NOT accessbile AT ALL, even during boot-up without a password?

[computer_nut]

Originally Posted by Shamou

Check this link for many threads on the subject... http://forums.techguy.org/search.php?searchid=81176

thanks, that really helped

[Squashman]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

There are USB "keys" that will lock the system unless the key is inserted to use it.

I like the idea of the wireless lock, pretty slick.

That is how the Bit Locker can work in Vista. You can put the key on a USB stick.

[JohnWill]

I bought one of the USB locks "free after rebate", just to see how it worked. It worked OK, but I decided it wasn't worth the effort to protect my machine in a private office.