Kick the kids off the computer

johnmc

Has anyone come across any software that will prevent a specified user starting a PC outside of set times? Also to shutdown internet activity after a set time / on a timer and to then cleanly shut the PC down.

The intention is to set times when the kids can use the PC to do their homework and autoboot them off without any arguments.

If I've got it right it will allow DS to do his homework from, say, 6pm to 7.30 and then throw him off. DD will then be able to logon from 7.31pm to 9pm (or something like that).


Preferably freeware.

BillScarab

Well this is built into the parental controls for Vista so if you have Vista it's easy. Not sure about XP although you can set up scheduled tasks so you could schedule the PC to shut down at set times. You may have to set up a BAT script first though. I;'ve done it in the past but it was a long time ago and my memory isn't that good!

You can also schedule things using the "at" program using the command line interface.

oldagetraveller

Surely the cheapest and best "parental control" would be for you to tell your son that it's 7.30, get off the computer it's your sister's turn now?

HoofeHearted

If using XP, the following will restrict the times they can login, but will not log them out if still logged in when the period expires.

Start -> Run -> Cmd

net user username /Time:M-F,16:00-19:30;Sa-Su,10:00-21:00

If you want to purchase a full solution, have a look at
http://www.mainsoft.fr/en/pctwoverview.htm

totalsolutions

Hi, Has been built in since Win NT. Windows should do it .. can't thing quickly enough ....If you have a router these have time signals in them to log off as well. Same memory fault as Bill!!!

robpw2

You could install a software used for internet cafes there are many free ones availble then you could log in and set pass words for them to use give them alloted amounts of time and then it will automatically log off after their alloted time

robt_2

oldagetraveller wrote: »

Surely the cheapest and best "parental control" would be for you to tell your son that it's 7.30, get off the computer it's your sister's turn now?

Totally agree, you don't need any software for that.

Forgetful

yeah just wot i need
but use anything and my wizz kid will get rid of the ban!!

johnmc

Inevitably it's the "girl at work" whose 6 foot plus 18 YO son won't play ball.

I did suggest 2 cheap PC's with wireless routers which can then be set to disable internet access via the router was met with disapproval as she "wouldn't know what she was doing". Ho, hum.

Trouble with scripting is that anything working on time can be worked around via the BIOS.

Ideally some software that also updates the time from the internet at startup then boots them off. I'll keep surfing.



Thanks to all.

IvanOpinion

oddly enough my brother had asked me a similar question a few days ago. I did a quick google and one of the responses that came up with loads of links was this one. There appears to be loads of freeware/shareware utilities available so it doesn't need to cost. I have no experience of any of these therefore can not recommend any

Ivan

bob_a_builder

This software contains a time grid which allows you to limit internent access to specific times
http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
+ helps prevent them seeing stuff you might prefer them not to, during the time they are allowed on