F8 for startup options

[Bob Brannon]

Hello,

I am using XP Home Edition and XP professional (two different computers,
with service packs. A user of my computer is using F8 startup options
(whether safe mode or directory services restore mode or whatever) to get
around a security measure I have in place to restrict there time on the
computer. My question: is there a way to restrict access to the F8 startup
options?

 

[Malke]

Hello,

I am using XP Home Edition and XP professional (two different
computers,
with service packs. A user of my computer is using F8 startup options
(whether safe mode or directory services restore mode or whatever) to
get around a security measure I have in place to restrict there time
on the
computer. My question: is there a way to restrict access to the F8
startup options?

I'm not sure if there is a policy that will disable F8 native to
Windows, and it's probably a really bad idea because then you'll
severely limit your ability to troubleshoot and do repairs. And you
eventually *will* need to tshoot and do repairs. In XP Pro, you would
run gpedit.msc. In XP Home, the Group Policy Editor isn't available.
You could 1)look for third-party solutions; 2)put on a BIOS password so
that when your user restarts the machine s/he can't get past the BIOS
password screen; 3)talk to the person about the problem. If this is a
child, then you're going to have to enforce the rules personally. If
this is an employee, then you always have the ability to fire them.

HTH,

Malke

 

[Bern]

The BIOS password sounds like a great idea.
However, if the person is handy with a screwdriver, they can open the case
and make the BIOS forget the password. If they happen to do this
incorrectly, they could inadvertently ruin the computer.