Disabling the (physical/hardware) CD eject button

[DayLaborer]

Is there a way to disable the CD eject (hardware/physical) buttons on my CD drives when no one is logged in or if the "KIDS" account is logged in? I do want them to work normally if myself or my wife is logged in.

The PC is a Compaq Presario SR1230NX (about 2 years old), if that makes any difference...

Thanks,
Eliezer

 

[NoCalAdmin]

not the physical buttons.... as a fellow parent I feel for you..my two year old pushed the power button ssssssooooooo many times he fried my hard drive and mother board just this week. Yes, my wife wasn't paying attention, thank god it wasn't me...MY eight yeard old uses the machine and follows the 'rules' or looses privlidges.

Sorry, power is power. Once the drive is connected the button will work.

You can restrict it from the software side but.....

Tom

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Try using group policy to deny access on a per user basis. See here for a custom .adm file

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555324

As far as physically disabling the eject button, i don;t think you'll have much luck. One thing you could maybe do is buy one of those locking removable drive bays and install the CD ROM in it, then, whenever the kids are unsupervised, pop it out and take it away with you. Just a thought.

CCNA, CCDP, Net+, A+
Work Smarter, Not Harder....
This was supposed to be the future.....Where is my JetPack?!

 

[CorruptedLogic]

You may also want to try

http://www.cdrom-lock.de/index_en.html

CCNA, CCDP, Net+, A+
Work Smarter, Not Harder....
This was supposed to be the future.....Where is my JetPack?!

 

[wahnula]

To mod, you could remove the CD-ROM Bezel (usually just a few snap-fit clips) and remove the attached button. You could then glue a piece of plastic over the slot to prevent poking in the hole with whatever object is in their grubby little hands.

Tony

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Wahnula, I like that idea. DayLaborer, you could do as Wahnula suggested, then employ a group policy at a user level to restrict access to the CDROM when the kids are logged in (preventing them from opening the drive via software commands, while the same policy will allow you or the missus (logged in as admins or whatever) to open the drawer using software.

CCNA, CCDP, Net+, A+
Work Smarter, Not Harder....
This was supposed to be the future.....Where is my JetPack?!

 

[DayLaborer]

Some great ideas, folks!

I spent a whole bunch of time configuring my XP Pro PC to create a locked-down user account for my kids to protect our stuff from them and us from their curiousity. It would be nice if Microsoft would introduce Microsoft Vista - Kid Proofed Edition - that would include appropriately protected hardware, software, and OS. It would need far better security than the regular versions of their OS's. Because even if the regular one can (supposedly!) keep hackers out - this one would need to keep kids out!

Thanks again!
Eliezer

 

[CorruptedLogic]

May i suggest that now you've spent aeons locking down your PC, you image it or back it up in some other way so that when the unthinkable happens, you can restore it lickety split!..as the old addage goes, prevention is better than cure!


CCNA, CCDP, Net+, A+
Work Smarter, Not Harder....
This was supposed to be the future.....Where is my JetPack?!

 

[DayLaborer]

Corrupt": been there, did that long ago!

Eliezer

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Only happens once, right?

CCNA, CCDP, Net+, A+
Work Smarter, Not Harder....
This was supposed to be the future.....Where is my JetPack?!

 

[wahnula]

Only happens once, right?

Like virus attacks, or falling asleep when driving. If you survive, you never let it happen again. Or, if you do, you deserve whatever happens.

Tony

 

[wahnula]

It would be nice if Microsoft would introduce Microsoft Vista - Kid Proofed Edition

That would make waaaaay too much sense. Actually offer features that somebody really needs? Well, if they did, your kid would probably require registration & a renewable yearly license from MS to use the PC.

Tony

 

[gbaughma]

It would be nice if Microsoft would introduce Microsoft Vista - Kid Proofed Edition

Unfortunately, Vista is just "media-proofed" hehe.....

You might want to look into a program called FoolProof, however. ;-) It's made just to keep kids from messing with things. I used it in our computer lab for quite some time.



Just my 2¢
"Life gets mighty precious when there's less of it to waste." -Bonnie Raitt "Nick of Time"
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com