Software to make a password needed for shutdown, needed

[MrMacMan]

I have a simple problem, my computer is:
a) shutting itself down (probably not)
b) my dad is shuting my computer down
c) outside force shutting my computer down.

now, all I want is a way for shutdown to be password protected, if simple great, if not, well, I guess I'll try anything.

[MrMacMan]

anyone?

I mean it doesn't only have to have shutdown passwords, it can have other features, but one of the features must have a password for shutdown.

edit: I want my computer to be left ON for folding

[mnkeybsness]

Originally posted by MrMacman

edit: I want my computer to be left ON for folding

so then just leave it on...i don't see what the problem is

[rainman::|:|]

Originally posted by mnkeybsness
so then just leave it on...i don't see what the problem is

uhh, did you read the first post? at all?

i don't really know what to tell you, if there was a "shutdown items" you could probably make a script... I think the only way to lock shutdown (without a 3rd party app i dont know of) would be to set up a less-priviledged account, not really the answer you were looking for...

:confused:

[jayb2000]

But this might help http://www.mactipscafe.com/tip009/

Or, if you are comfortable with dev tools, looks like "kiosk" mode might help.
http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn2002/tn2062.html[/url]

Alternatively, if you used the folding screensaver with a password and set the display to shut off after 1 minute, that would do it.

Does not prevent pulling the plug, but its a start.

[shakespeare]

Haha! That's hilarious! When I lived at home, I had exactly the problem you had. It was incredibly annoying and I couldn't solve it. I tried two things:

1. I launched Stickies whenever I wasn't using the computer, and created a big yellow sticky in the centre of the screen instructing people not to close any running applications or turn the computer off; and when that didn't work,

2. I bought my dad an iBook and told him never to touch my PowerBook.

Again, surely not the elegant (or free) solutions you were looking for, but sadly, I can't think of another way to do this. With Panther, hopefully, we'll have multiple graphic logins, so you'll be able to log out and keep Folding running, while you'll be able to let your dad log in on one of those less-privileged accounts.

Actually, I just had another idea. If the only thing you want your computer to be doing while you're away is to fold, you could run Folding from mc68k's SP script, which (I think, correct me someone if I'm wrong) will run (if you say yes to 'start at boot' while it's installing) regardless of what user is logged in. That way, you'd be able to create an unprivileged account for your dad (do this by creating the account, and then choosing 'Capabilities' in the accounts pane), fold whenever your computer is on, and you'd be able to be sure he wouldn't mess with your files.

Sorry to have made such a long post. Normally I'm more concise. Sorry, too, if I've said anything obvious. I haven't slept in a while and my self-filtering mechanism doesn't work when I'm tired.

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by shakespeare
Haha! That's hilarious! When I lived at home, I had exactly the problem you had. It was incredibly annoying and I couldn't solve it. I tried two things:

1. I launched Stickies whenever I wasn't using the computer, and created a big yellow sticky in the centre of the screen instructing people not to close any running applications or turn the computer off; and when that didn't work,

2. I bought my dad an iBook and told him never to touch my PowerBook.

Again, surely not the elegant (or free) solutions you were looking for, but sadly, I can't think of another way to do this. With Panther, hopefully, we'll have multiple graphic logins, so you'll be able to log out and keep Folding running, while you'll be able to let your dad log in on one of those less-privileged accounts.

Actually, I just had another idea. If the only thing you want your computer to be doing while you're away is to fold, you could run Folding from mc68k's SP script, which (I think, correct me someone if I'm wrong) will run (if you say yes to 'start at boot' while it's installing) regardless of what user is logged in. That way, you'd be able to create an unprivileged account for your dad (do this by creating the account, and then choosing 'Capabilities' in the accounts pane), fold whenever your computer is on, and you'd be able to be sure he wouldn't mess with your files.

Sorry to have made such a long post. Normally I'm more concise. Sorry, too, if I've said anything obvious. I haven't slept in a while and my self-filtering mechanism doesn't work when I'm tired.

Yeah well unfortunally he just comes to my computer, either:

Loads AOL or
Comes to my computer to shut it down.

I gave him an account but he says 'your account it already on' well no ****, if my computer is on, ITS GONNA BE LOGGED ON! :mad:

I gave him an account to use, for goodness sake, use it!

I don't care if it a 3-ed party solution, I don't care if I have to do commands, but I want this done.

BTW, the kiosk web page TOTALLY f'ed my computer up! Forwhatever reson I can't open 2 programs at a time without one of them auto-hiding, ahhh

[RBMaraman]

If your dad is anything like mine, then a password isn't going to keep him from shutting down the computer.

I once put a password on our PeeCee to keep dad from shutting it down. What did he do? He held down the Power button until the machine shut off. It took me a month to figure out why ScanDisk kept running everytime I turned on the computer.

I'd recommend just using one account for the computer. Multiple accounts can get messy. Especially when someone (i.e. your dad) messes up something that effects all the users. If you have files you don't want your parents to see, burn them to disc and don't save them on the hard drive.

I finally just told my dad not to turn off my computer. Then, I used some equations I learned in Physics to show him that it costs about 10 cents per day to run the computer for 24 hours. That convinced him.

[shakespeare]

Damn dads. Mine wasn't complaining about the cost of the electricity, he was just clueless, and would close running applications, drag items in and out of the dock, and, on one occasion, delete a clients' folder. I could have killed him.

[shakespeare]

Originally posted by RBMaraman
If you have files you don't want your parents to see, burn them to disc and don't save them on the hard drive.

A free alternative to this is to use Disk Copy to create password-protected Disk Images to store these files.

[RBMaraman]

Originally posted by shakespeare
A free alternative to this is to use Disk Copy to create password-protected Disk Images to store these files.

The problem with that is, your parents then know you're hiding something from them. Then, they'll bug you about it, and sometimes ground you from using the computer because you won't be honest with them.

Thank God I'm in college and have my own computer. I hate going home, because I know I'm going to have to spend hours fixing what dad's done to the family PeeCee.

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by RBMaraman
If your dad is anything like mine, then a password isn't going to keep him from shutting down the computer.

I once put a password on our PeeCee to keep dad from shutting it down. What did he do? He held down the Power button until the machine shut off. It took me a month to figure out why ScanDisk kept running everytime I turned on the computer.

I'd recommend just using one account for the computer. Multiple accounts can get messy. Especially when someone (i.e. your dad) messes up something that effects all the users. If you have files you don't want your parents to see, burn them to disc and don't save them on the hard drive.

I finally just told my dad not to turn off my computer. Then, I used some equations I learned in Physics to show him that it costs about 10 cents per day to run the computer for 24 hours. That convinced him.

a) my dad is dumb when it comes to my computer, If I put 'PORN' as a HUGE folder on my desktop, he would think nothing of it.
b) I wanted him to use his own damn account, I set if up after he asked me for an account
c) the reason I don't want him to use my account is mostly the reasons you listed. He deleted core components of Os 9 on my other computer, it took me a week to re-fix the drve.

D) my dad 'doesn't care if it cost 5cents a week, I'm not making money, he is still paying for it... BLAH BLAH BLAHH'

E) if my dad gets annoyied that he can't shutdown the normal way, he will not do it.

Thanks, please, if there is something, please post.

[mnkeybsness]

Originally posted by paulwhannel
uhh, did you read the first post? at all?

i don't really know what to tell you, if there was a "shutdown items" you could probably make a script... I think the only way to lock shutdown (without a 3rd party app i dont know of) would be to set up a less-priviledged account, not really the answer you were looking for...

:confused:

ha ha...i guess i was half awake when i read that...i needed a nap...you could always put a screen saver up with password protection on

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by mnkeybsness
ha ha...i guess i was half awake when i read that...i needed a nap...you could always put a screen saver up with password protection on

bah fine, just that if the screen turns off without me going into he specific right corner my dad comes and poof he shuts it off.

No problem the first post, we all understand. :)

edit: um that other edit never happened, k? :rolleyes:

[robbieduncan]

Do you want the user trying to shut the computer down to have to enter the users password? and adminsitrator password? a specially defined password for this situation only? I can probably nock up a small app that does not appear in the dock or the force quit menu that blocks logout (or shutdown by extension) unless the correct password is entered. I don't have time right now, probably in a couple of days.

Robbie

[robbieduncan]

OK this is just a quick hack but you can download version 0.1 of LogoutBlocker from http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/wa/default?user=robbieduncan&templatefn=FileSharing12.html&xmlfn=TKDocument.12.xml&sitefn=RootSite.xml&aff=consumer&cty=US&lang=en

To set the password use the terminal at type:

cd
cd Library/Preferences
defaults write net.robbieduncan.logoutblocker password the_password_you_want

There are still a load of rough edges and it still appears in the dock and force-quit menu (as when it doesn't I can't seem to block logout properly).

Let me know what you think!

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by robbieduncan
OK this is just a quick hack but you can download version 0.1 of LogoutBlocker from http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/wa/default?user=robbieduncan&templatefn=FileSharing12.html&xmlfn=TKDocument.12.xml&sitefn=RootSite.xml&aff=consumer&cty=US&lang=en

To set the password use the terminal at type:

cd
cd Library/Preferences
defaults write net.robbieduncan.logoutblocker password the_password_you_want

There are still a load of rough edges and it still appears in the dock and force-quit menu (as when it doesn't I can't seem to block logout properly).

Let me know what you think!

that sounds good, BUT, I can't seem to download the app, it says the fine is missing. :(

[robbieduncan]

Originally posted by MrMacman
that sounds good, BUT, I can't seem to download the app, it says the fine is missing. :(

Dowloaded OK for me? I can try and put it somewhere else later...

[amnesiac1984]

Okay hows this one. Yo force your dad to use his account you can set the login option sto hide the shutdown and restart buttons. Log off everytime you leave your computer, and disable shutdown on your dad's account.

With mc68k's folding scripts you it will fold no matter who is logged in or if nobody is logged in. Really great actually.

If not that then set the screensaver to come on after 3 minutes with a password then he won't be able to use it without your permission. Or, what about jsut changing you own account settings so you cannot shutdown the computer yourself, that would solve a lot of things!

[MrMacMan]

There is no preference to disable yourself from shuting down... and that app I get this address:
http://homepage.mac.com/robbieduncan/.cv/robbieduncan/Public/LogoutBlocker0.1.pkg.sitx-binhex.hqx

But no download :(