Any way to limit computer use?

[OWA]

A guy at work asked me if I knew of any way to limit computer usage on a windows PC? Basically, one of his kids is on the computer non-stop and they're having trouble keeping him from being on it. So, he'd like some way to set limits. For example, only allowing his son's account to be active for 2 hours a day. In UNIX you can do this sort of thing but I didn't know of a way to do it with a Windows PC.

Any ideas, whether it's something Windows already provides (can policies be used for this sort of thing?) or some software he can purchase to do it?

Edit: Okay, I've found some retail software that can do it:

http://www.virtualsoftwareltd.com/products/pctimemanager/index.htm

So, now I guess I'm wondering if it can be done with what WinXP already provides?

Edit 2: Heh, just found this searching and this might be the answer...

Restricting a User's Logon Hours
To restrict a users logon hours use the net user command.
These commands are used from the Command Prompt.
(Start/Run/cmd then press
enter)
Examples:
.. net user wayne /time:M-F,08:00-17:00
.. net user wayne /time:M-F,8am-5pm
.. net user mary /time:M,4am-5pm;T,1pm-3pm;W-F,8:00-17:00
.. net user matt /time:all (this one means this user can
always log on)
Note: You can only restrict when a user can log on to the
system. On a stand
alone computer, there is no way, currently, to force a
user to log off when
their hours expire.

Edit 3: Geez, I should have just searched first before asking. Didn't realize it would be that easy to find this type of info.

http://www.jsifaq.com/SUBR/tip8900/rh8900.htm

[Superfly]

did he get this sorted??

[OWA]

I think one of the above solutions will work out. I passed them along (through e-mail) but haven't heard back from him yet.

[Riptide]

How about pulling the power cable? :p

[Superfly]

How about pulling the power cable? :p

yeh that would work

[CaptNKILL]

Just take the fan off his CPU heatsink, that will limit his usage quite a bit... itl keep him off all the games too :D

[Superfly]

Just take the fan off his CPU heatsink, that will limit his usage quite a bit... itl keep him off all the games too :D

lo

ROFL - that would work too - might also kill the PC but hey.. :D

[jasonsmith]

Can you check out my thread please, i am new here, how to clear the cach on my 360

[Banko]

I think the best thing to do would be to make his comp like a gaming cafe.

Have smartcards or fingerprint ID with a specific amount of play time.

Basically if he does chores or does something else he gets a specific amount of play time.

He can use it up all at once, or whenever he feels like it.

Once it runs out it locks him out.

[rewt]

Also, under Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Security Options

You can "Force logoff when logon hours expire"

Perhaps this only works under domain environment though..

[j0j081]

Also, under Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Security Options

You can "Force logoff when logon hours expire"

Perhaps this only works under domain environment though..
that is the best way and it's FREE so give it a try first however you might need to look up a more detailed explanation. There are all kinds of options you can configure per user account using the built in admin options of XP. Just make sure he only knows the pass to his account and you log yours off.

[Capt. Picard]

I say thrash his ass if he spends more than his alotted time on the pc.

[OWA]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm passing them along.

[ericg753]

Here is a syntax list for the net user command:

/times:{<Day>[<-Day>][,<Day>[-<Day>]],<Time>[-<Time>][,<Time>[-<Time>]][;] | all}

Specifies the times that users are allowed to use the computer. <Time> is limited to one-hour increments. For the <Day> values, you can spell out the names of the days or use abbreviations (that is, M,T,W,Th,F,Sa,Su). You can use 12-hour or 24-hour notation for hours. If you use 12-hour notation, use AM and PM, or A.M. and P.M. The value all means a user can always log on. A null value (blank) means a user can never log on. Separate day and time with commas, and separate units of day and time with semicolons (for example, M,4AM-5PM;T,1PM-3PM). Do not use spaces when you designate times.


(nana2)

[saturnotaku]

http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/images/lblackwell/2005/03/01/thread_necromancer.png

[ViN86]

A guy at work asked me if I knew of any way to limit computer usage on a windows PC? Basically, one of his kids is on the computer non-stop and they're having trouble keeping him from being on it. So, he'd like some way to set limits. For example, only allowing his son's account to be active for 2 hours a day. In UNIX you can do this sort of thing but I didn't know of a way to do it with a Windows PC.

Any ideas, whether it's something Windows already provides (can policies be used for this sort of thing?) or some software he can purchase to do it?

Edit: Okay, I've found some retail software that can do it:

http://www.virtualsoftwareltd.com/products/pctimemanager/index.htm

So, now I guess I'm wondering if it can be done with what WinXP already provides?

Edit 2: Heh, just found this searching and this might be the answer...



Edit 3: Geez, I should have just searched first before asking. Didn't realize it would be that easy to find this type of info.

http://www.jsifaq.com/SUBR/tip8900/rh8900.htm
is he trying to limit PC usage or internet usage?

if it's internet usage, just disable access at certain times of day. this can be done with a linksys router. the kid probably wont be able to figure out how to bypass it lol.

[jcrox]

Solution:

(throwpc)

[grey_1]

is he trying to limit PC usage or internet usage?

if it's internet usage, just disable access at certain times of day. this can be done with a linksys router. the kid probably wont be able to figure out how to bypass it lol.

I don't think OWA is tracking this thread any more Vin. :lol:

[einstein_314]

lol.

That is all.

[ViN86]

I don't think OWA is tracking this thread any more Vin. :lol:
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