Windows XP - denying access

[pompei595]

My wife's computer has four accounts appear when it is switched on - hers, mine, my stepson, and guest, created by said stepson. It seems as though the guest account does not have a password, and nor can one be created.

As the youngster is getting up in the night etc to go on games, and accessing the net through the guest account, we would like to restrict access, and ideally have just the one account.

We did get rid of the guest account, but he re-instated it. Is there anything we can do to stop him accessing the internet without one of us putting in a password? And can we stop him from creating further guest accounts?

If not, the computer is going, but that is obviously not the ideal solution!

Many thanks!

[vehelpfulguy]

I am a bit confused.

You say he has an account (Stepson). Why does he need the guest account when he has his own account.

Anyway

If you are using XP then you can set a user as either Computer Administrator or Limited.

A Computer Administrator can do ANYTHING.

A Limited account can only do certain things. It cannot create a new account (like Guest) for example.

Set you and your wife as Computer Administrator, set a password, then do not tell him what the passwords are.

Set him (stepson) as a Limited account. This should stop him being able to create the Guest account.

Make sure you leave at least ONE account as Computer Administrator because if you dont you will not be able to do anything, like install new programs.

[pompei595]

Thanks for that. Stepson's account has secret (to him) password.

How do we implement your suggestion about Computer Administrator?

(Tonight we have foiled him by removing the mains lead!)

[beebrook39]

Vehelpfulguy is correct...It seems you have a determined individual accessing your computer.!! .He seems reasonably well versed and knows his way round..but the danger is he probably also knows enough to go where he shouldn't be going !! You may well find some real nasties appearing in the form of Spyware..malware Virus attacks and even worse ..Keyloggers !! Whilst operating systems offer some restrictive access options..It seems as this instance needs the offending individual getting a serious "talking to" ....Good Luck !!

[beebrook39]

If the reasonable "talking to" doesn't work try this.........You can create separate accounts for each person that will be using the computer. This allows each user to have their own document folders and settings such as the wallpaper, Start menu, visual style, and so forth. You can create and configure user accounts with the User Accounts tool in Control Panel.

To open the User Accounts tool, open Control Panel from the Start menu, and then double click User Accounts.

To Create a New User Account
1. Click Create a new account in the Pick a task list box.
2. Type the name that you want to use for the account, and then click Next.
3. Select the desired account type, and then click Create Account.
Back to the top Back to the top
To Make Changes to an Account
1. Click Change an account in the Pick a task list box.
2. Click the account that you want to change.
3. Select the item that you would like to change:
� Click Change the name to change the name that appears on the Welcome screen for the account.
� Click Change the picture to change the picture that is used to represent the user account. You can use any image file on the computer for the user's picture.
� Click Change the account type to change the account type to increase or decrease the user's rights on the computer.
� Click Create/change the password to create or change the password for the user and create or change the password hint.
� Click Delete the account to delete the user account from the computer. When you delete the account, you are given the option to save the user's files on the computer.
P.S If this doesn't work....don't sell your p/c...

[pompei595]

Thanks for that!

We are having a computer-free week this week! I'm afraid he has p""""ed on his chips, to use a popular crudity from these parts!