Is there a Timer on Vista?

wazza

My three children have turns using the laptop. They each have 30mins each to do what they want. They use a limited account with parental control switched on.

What i want to know if there is a (free) timer program that runs on Vista. When the time runs out it either log offs or sound a bell. I am fed up keeping an eye on the clock to make sure they do not cheat. Tried the timer on the mobile phone but one of the kids know how to change to timer to suit him.

Andy_L

The easy option would be to keep your phone on you, get a watch with an alarm, PIN number protect your phone.
Any timer that runs on Windows (eg 1Time http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/downloads/1Time_11621_p/ ) can be changed by the user.
A quick google gives this account management programmes which may do what you want.
http://www.privacywindows.com/user_pc_time_control.html

esuhl

It looks like there are quite a few possibilities indexed on Google:

http://www.google.com/search?q=computer+timer+parental+OR+children

This link just searches sourceforge.net, which hosts free, open source software:

http://www.google.com/search?q=computer+timer+parental+OR+children&btnGNS=Search+sourceforge.net&oi=navquery_searchbox&sa=X&as_sitesearch=sourceforge.net

Conor_3

Windows Vista Ultimate has parental controls in that'll do what you want but AFAIK, Home Premium doesn't.

wazza

Thanks for the info. I will look into the websites.

Viper_7

Home premium does allow you to set time limits when the computer can be used...but it's not a timer as such just a window when it can be used.
So if they logon outside this window then they won't be able to go on at all, never mind just 60 minutes say which is what I think your after.

However you could set up a login for each of them, then give them a specific window each of use.