[MariaMarchita]

Hello,

I'm new and I have a question. We have a G3 power mac (I think) and I want to keep someone in my house out of it. This person has become a computer addict and I want to lock him out of the puter altogether. I downloaded some locking program--he just started the computer without the extensions running and then turned off the locking program! Is there anything I can do to make him unable to do *anything* on the computer? If there's nothing else, is there something I could yank out of the back that would make it not work? Bear in mind I don't want to kill the thing, I just want to be able to disable it at times and then restore it again later. Also bear in mind I'm a computer moron, all I know is there's a big turquoise tower thingy and a screen heh heh.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks,
Maria

[Turias]

If they have physical access to the machine, it is very difficult to block anyone out. If a malicious user gets their hands on a Mac OS X install disk, they can simply change the root password and do anything they want.

If you are really serious about locking this person out of your computer you should

1) Change the root password and all of the account passwords so that they can't log in.
2) Either place the machine in a secure location or lock the CD drive (there are locks you can buy for this sort of thing. I don't know how much they cost, off the top of my head).

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by Turias:
If they have physical access to the machine, it is very difficult to block anyone out. If a malicious user gets their hands on a Mac OS X install disk, they can simply change the root password and do anything they want.

If you are really serious about locking this person out of your computer you should

1) Change the root password and all of the account passwords so that they can't log in.
2) Either place the machine in a secure location or lock the CD drive (there are locks you can buy for this sort of thing. I don't know how much they cost, off the top of my head).

Hi thanks for replying so quickly!

We don't have OS X, we have 9.2... I'm sorry to sound so dumb but I don't know what a root password is... as far as I know we don't have to enter any password when we boot up to use the computer.

What is a CD drive locker? Would that just make him unable to use CDs?

Again I apologize for coming off as a dolt. Thanks a lot =)

Maria

[Turias]

Ah, OS 9. My mind glossed over when I read about the extensions, so I didn't pry further. But, yeah, ignore root password. Instead, you should be able to set a machine password (In Users and Groups control panel, maybe? It's been so long...)

And yeah, the lock just prevents the CD drive from opening without a key.

[kupan787]

Originally posted by MariaMarchita:
Hello,

I'm new and I have a question. We have a G3 power mac (I think) and I want to keep someone in my house out of it. This person has become a computer addict and I want to lock him out of the puter altogether. I downloaded some locking program--he just started the computer without the extensions running and then turned off the locking program! Is there anything I can do to make him unable to do *anything* on the computer? If there's nothing else, is there something I could yank out of the back that would make it not work? Bear in mind I don't want to kill the thing, I just want to be able to disable it at times and then restore it again later. Also bear in mind I'm a computer moron, all I know is there's a big turquoise tower thingy and a screen heh heh.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks,
Maria

The easiest thing would be to just unplug the keyboard or the power cable, and hide them some where else. You can't do much with a computer with no keyboard or power cord.

[giantmike]

Let's seem him try to get past an open Firmware Password: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120095

[reader50]

That open firmware password option requires OSX, the above poster is using OS9.2

The control panel you want to use is Multiple Users. Set access passwords. Booting without extensions will not easily get around this - there is a way, but it requires an experienced Mac user to think it up.

To stop the user from booting from CD to get around this is trickier. You can get a CD-drive lock like Turias suggested. Or you can open the Mac side panel and unplug the power plug from the CD drive. Close the panel door, and go to the back end of the Mac where the cords plug in. Near the top will be a pull-out that locks the side door. Pull it out and snap a padlock through the pullout loop.

If the user is willing to hacksaw the locking tab on the back or otherwise vandalize the computer, there is little that can be done. Show him the street and let him sleep in the alley for a few days maybe. Put a locking doorknob on the computer room. Remove all the chairs in the house to a locked room - playing computer addict with nothing to sit on gets old fast. Or take the computer power cord / mouse / keyboard with you like kupan787 suggested. Taking just one of those things will be a challenge for a non-technical user who doesn't feel like buying his own system.

If it's the internet he's addicted to, taking the phone line that runs from the computer to the wall jack might be useful too. Until he figures out to swipe a replacement phone line from some other phone in the house.

[reader50]

A further thought, if the problem is internet addiction. Open the control panel Remote Access and delete the password for internet access. This way, the computer will ask for a password every time you try to log onto the internet.

If this person already knows your ISP password, call your ISP up and change it. Have them put a note on your account to prevent anyone else from calling in to get the new password.

Internet addicts find it very inconvenient to have internet access restricted or cut off. You should hear the moaning and complaining around here whenever some broadband user loses connection and has to make do with slower dialup access.

[giantmike]

So you are right, I didn't check the system requirements.

However, an Open Firmware Password does not require OS X, it's just a little harder to enable. Check out this link for instructions on how to do so: http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwar...protection.php

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by Turias:
Ah, OS 9. My mind glossed over when I read about the extensions, so I didn't pry further. But, yeah, ignore root password. Instead, you should be able to set a machine password (In Users and Groups control panel, maybe? It's been so long...)

And yeah, the lock just prevents the CD drive from opening without a key.

Sweet! Thank you Turias! I'll poke around in users and groups and see if I can figure it out. Now if he boots up without extensions running will he be able to bypass this password?

Thanks again!
Maria

[Turias]

Originally posted by MariaMarchita:
Sweet! Thank you Turias! I'll poke around in users and groups and see if I can figure it out. Now if he boots up without extensions running will he be able to bypass this password?

Thanks again!
Maria

Read reader50's reply below mine.

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by kupan787:
The easiest thing would be to just unplug the keyboard or the power cable, and hide them some where else. You can't do much with a computer with no keyboard or power cord.

Thanks! I was looking through the jumbled mass of wires behind this thing... looks like there are 2 cords coming out of the keyboard... one goes to the printer (???) and the other one goes...let's see... I guess into the back of the tower someplace. There's also the mouse hooked into the keyboard too. Ok now what's a power cord and where might I find it?

This is so much fun
Maria

[Turias]

Originally posted by MariaMarchita:
Ok now what's a power cord and where might I find it?

This is so much fun
Maria

It's the one that plugs into the power outlet from the tower.

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by reader50:
That open firmware password option requires OSX, the above poster is using OS9.2

Open firmware... ok, now ya lost me
What's that exactly?

The control panel you want to use is Multiple Users. Set access passwords. Booting without extensions will not easily get around this - there is a way, but it requires an experienced Mac user to think it up.

So I go in under control panels then multiple users... ok, I'll try that. My husband is a pretty experienced Mac user. Although he hasn't found out how to find my invisble spyware even though ResEdit is right there in plain view. (heh, I guess I do know 1 or 2 things about this machine lol). Is it very hard to get around the passwords I set?

To stop the user from booting from CD to get around this is trickier. You can get a CD-drive lock like Turias suggested. Or you can open the Mac side panel and unplug the power plug from the CD drive. Close the panel door, and go to the back end of the Mac where the cords plug in. Near the top will be a pull-out that locks the side door. Pull it out and snap a padlock through the pullout loop.

Boot from a CD? I don't think he has any CDs besides music and movies. All his software is...erm... "borrowed" Do you mean like booting from an OS 9 CD? I know he doesn't have one of those.

If the user is willing to hacksaw the locking tab on the back or otherwise vandalize the computer, there is little that can be done. Show him the street and let him sleep in the alley for a few days maybe. Put a locking doorknob on the computer room. Remove all the chairs in the house to a locked room - playing computer addict with nothing to sit on gets old fast. Or take the computer power cord / mouse / keyboard with you like kupan787 suggested. Taking just one of those things will be a challenge for a non-technical user who doesn't feel like buying his own system.

Haha!! I love the removing all the chairs idea. Let him see how comfortable it is to surf the porn sites while standing! With my luck, he'd probably drag the whole darn kitchen table in front of the computer and sit on that! Hehe.

If it's the internet he's addicted to, taking the phone line that runs from the computer to the wall jack might be useful too. Until he figures out to swipe a replacement phone line from some other phone in the house.

We have a cable modem... Maybe there's a cord I could yank out of that? I was just disconnecting the whole darn modem and taking it with me, but it's kinda cumbersome.

I can't thank you enough for the advice!
Maria

[DeathToWindows]

Open firmware password + users & groups + internet password + blocking (anti-porn) software

and if you're really evil, pull the IDE cable on the motherboard - machine will not boot and if he figures it out, there are 3 password levels...

hehehe

[danbrew]

Maria - I wasn't sure if you were a kid or a student with a pesky roommate, but it sounds as if you're not a kid - based upon the marriage comment. The easiest way to solve this problem is to put your foot down and tell this person that you have rules in your house and not touching your computer is one of them. If the internet addicted person is your husband - and I'm basing that on the porn comment - then you've got bigger problems.

My $0.02.

[tooki]

Users and Groups will not provide ANY KIND of local protection -- it's strictly a network password. OS 9 has no local protection of any kind, natively.


Using Multiple Users provides a modest amount of protection if you enable it.

tooki

[MariaMarchita]

Ok guys, I really did it this time.

I went in under multiple users and I made myself the main user (my husband was the main user, but I just opened his profile-thingy up and changed the password and name). Then I turned on multiple users and rebooted the machine. Now I keep trying to log in with my password and it keeps saying it's the wrong password!! I've tried it umpteen times, even tried variations on the password (misspellings etc) and nothing. It wont let me log in! I tried rebooting with extensions off and it still requires a password and says the one I'm using is wrong. I even told my husband what I did and let him work on it because he's supposedly really good with computers (yeah right) and he can't get in either. I've turned the Mac into a big blue paperweight!! Help--is there any way to bypass it??

I'm at school right now since I have no puter at home, but I'll only be here for an hour or so. If anyone is reading this and has any advice please post it ASAP! Please post it in step by step dummy instructions so I'll be able to follow. God I feel like such a dolt, jeez. My husband is flipping out saying I broke an expensive computer and that we will never be able to use it again. There has to be a way to fix this, right??

Waiting for your gracious help,
Maria

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by DeathToWindows:
Open firmware password + users & groups + internet password + blocking (anti-porn) software

I tried to put a password on it and I killed the whole machine
Darnitall, I have got to take some computer classes or something!

I wish I knew how to do all that stuff you mentioned... I have blocking software, which prevents him from getting to certain sites, but his problem isn't just porn, it's computer addiction. Seriously, even when I gank the modem and take it with me when I leave, he'll sit there and fiddle with the hard drive and stuff for hours. He's just addicted to sitting there in front of the screen I think!

and if you're really evil, pull the IDE cable on the motherboard - machine will not boot and if he figures it out, there are 3 password levels...

hehehe

Ooh, ok now what's an IDE cable and a motherboard? Ack, I'd probably screw it up Have you all seen that sketch on Saturday Night Live about "Nick Burns, Your Company's Computer Guy"? He makes everyone feel dumb for asking for help, he says "they teach this stuff on Blue's Clues" LOL. I need a guy like that! I wouldn't even mind feeling dumb, I'll gladly admit I'm dumb about these things!

Thanks again everybody for all your help,
Maria

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by danbrew:
Maria - I wasn't sure if you were a kid or a student with a pesky roommate, but it sounds as if you're not a kid - based upon the marriage comment. The easiest way to solve this problem is to put your foot down and tell this person that you have rules in your house and not touching your computer is one of them. If the internet addicted person is your husband - and I'm basing that on the porn comment - then you've got bigger problems.

My $0.02.

Dan I know, you're totally right. It is my husband who is a computer addict and an internet porn addict. I have put my foot down, many times... but I really do think it is an addiction. This isn't excusing him, it's just a possible explanation for why he hasn't been able to quit using sheer willpower. He is going to counseling now and one of those 12 step groups. Putting filtering software on the computer actually was his idea. He says he cannot handle unrestricted access and I tend to agree. It's actually his computer, his parents got it for him long before he met me... still, if he wants us to work things out, he's not going to have access unless it's when I say so.

I just wish I hadn't screwed up the Mac for me! Now I can't log in and I have a ton of important papers stored on it--stuff I need for an upcoming court battle with my ex husband and stuff for school (I'm a nursing student).

*sigh*

Thanks for replying to me, I really do appreciate you taking the time to do that

Maria

[scottiB]

Maria,

A lot of good suggestions have been posted, and to summarize them a bit (and to add my own)...

What's been suggested is either to prevent the computer from being operable (removing power cables, locking the CD drive and the Mac, itself) or to prevent access to the internet and leaving the computer operable (pulling the cable modem, itself). As well, removing chairs is a good idea, but if the person is a true addict, he'll either stand or pull a chair from another room--or set the computer on the floor if that desperate. You are in a battle of wills, here, and until the addict decides, himself, to stop cruising porn sites, you'll need to be ever-vigilant.

From a hardware angle:

• Remove the monitor cable (the one that connects the monitor to the computer). While removing the computers power cable will work, there may be other items in the house that use the same type of power cable. The addict could swipe another to use it on the computer--or, worse, he could find one that looks similar, but isn't up to specifications, and jam that into the computer, perhaps damaging it.
  
  A monitor cable is less attainable (unless there's another monitor/computer in the house) and would require a trip to a computer store or Radio Shack.
• Another, more difficult method, is to un-plug the power cable from the hard drive (or remove the RAM from the slots) and padlock the door of the case (as reader50 suggested) to prevent others access.
  
• Rather than taking the whole cable modem--which is a great idea--you could remove its coxaial cable (thick black one that connects to the wall) or ethernet cables (the thick phone cord-like one that connects the computer to the cable modem). Of course, a trip to Radio Shack and he can easily procure other ones.
  
• Actually, I'd suggest upgrading to OS X. As you can see from responses here, OS 9 is not the securest of systems. The addict booting with Extensions disabled further emphasizes this. While pulling cables, removing mice, locking the computer door will all work, there will be a day when you forget to it (running late, etc.) or, after a long day, find that it's just too much of a hassle. As I've stated, no matter how many cords and peripherals are pulled, a trip to Radio Shack, a few questions to the clerk, and he'll be fixed-up in no time (and with little cost).
  
  In OS X, you can create a User that has access to only applications you choose (no permission to run a web browser or install one) and that user has no ability to install other programs or boot the system into OS9. You, as the administrator, have complete control.

Now, I'm not sure what peripherals (printers, etc.) are being used or how much memory (RAM) you have (OS X needs at least 512MB to run smoothly), but the $129 cost ($59 if you're a student) of OS X now can save a lot of the hassle of these other suggestions that may run into months for you to maintain.

As an addict, myself, (of nicotine--not porn), you're in for a bit of a bumpy ride as an interventionist.

Good luck.

edit: I wrote most of this before your last post. Most of it still applies, I think.

[reader50]

Maria,

Don't panic. First of all, the computer addict is being blocked rather well just now, so things are already going your way.

Second, there is a way to break past Multiple Users. My computer is used only by myself, but a few years ago I enabled Multiple Users as a challenge. Took less than ten minutes to break past it, without using a boot CD or alternate partition.

Sometime today between work, I'll boot into OS9 and figure it out again, then post the method or more likely, Private Message it to you. Since you know Multiple Users is good enough to keep him out, you will not want to let the breaking method slip to him.

[tooki]

Originally posted by MariaMarchita:
Ok guys, I really did it this time.

I went in under multiple users and I made myself the main user (my husband was the main user, but I just opened his profile-thingy up and changed the password and name). Then I turned on multiple users and rebooted the machine. Now I keep trying to log in with my password and it keeps saying it's the wrong password!! I've tried it umpteen times, even tried variations on the password (misspellings etc) and nothing. It wont let me log in

Umm, perhaps the change didn't stick, and it's still expecting your husband and his password as the main account.

tooki

[zac4mac]

Maria -

When trying to log in, check the Caps lock. A week or so ago, I tried several times to log in and finally saw the little light was on. Try your new password with the caps lock on then off... see if either works.

Z

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by reader50:
Maria,

Don't panic. First of all, the computer addict is being blocked rather well just now, so things are already going your way.

Second, there is a way to break past Multiple Users. My computer is used only by myself, but a few years ago I enabled Multiple Users as a challenge. Took less than ten minutes to break past it, without using a boot CD or alternate partition.

Sometime today between work, I'll boot into OS9 and figure it out again, then post the method or more likely, Private Message it to you. Since you know Multiple Users is good enough to keep him out, you will not want to let the breaking method slip to him.

Aw crud! I got home and found a G3 startup disk and used that to get in--but now I've deleted all of multiple users! I booted up with the CD (OS 8.6) and deleted the multiple users folders and preferences and everything. Then I rebooted using the regular hard drive (OS 9.2) and I got in ( yay!!) but multiple users is no more ( boo!!). You're right, reader, it did keep him out well, too. I don't guess there is any way to get it back? Hmm, maybe I shouldn't take the chance tho. Maybe I'll just gank the mouse or something. He can't do anything w/o a mouse can he? Or are there keyboard shortcuts?

Also I tried to PM you but it said your mailbox is full and I wouldn't let me

Thanks again everyone for the help--you all rule!
Maria

[danbrew]

Time for dr. danbrew to chime in. If the computer is causing that much trouble in your relationship, get rid of the computer. If it's not, relax a bit and know that some people enjoy using computers.

You know, it may sound hard to believe, but some people made it all the way through college without a computer. You can buy a typewriter and essentially have the same thing when it comes to typing your papers.

On the husband front... well, only you know what you'll stand for. Likewise, only he knows what he'll stand for. I'm not naive enough to suggest that online porn isn't an indicator of something - maybe that something is as simple as he likes to look at porn. That doesn't necessarily make him "bad" or addicted. Of course on the other end of the spectrum, maybe this is a indicator of some problems in the marriage or bedroom department.

Additiction, imho, is a word that gets bantered around an awful lot these days. Are there issues going along with his computer/porn interest? Causing problems between the two of you (sure sounds like it), is the interest causing financial problems? Employment problems? etc., etc., etc.

Personally if I asked my wife not to tinker with my computer and she kept at it, I'd be pretty pissed. Maybe you should just buy another computer and surf porn together?

[danbrew]

Time for dr. danbrew to chime in. If the computer is causing that much trouble in your relationship, get rid of the computer. If it's not, relax a bit and know that some people enjoy using computers.

You know, it may sound hard to believe, but some people made it all the way through college without a computer. You can buy a typewriter and essentially have the same thing when it comes to typing your papers.

On the husband front... well, only you know what you'll stand for. Likewise, only he knows what he'll stand for. I'm not naive enough to suggest that online porn isn't an indicator of something - maybe that something is as simple as he likes to look at porn. That doesn't necessarily make him "bad" or addicted. Of course on the other end of the spectrum, maybe this is a indicator of some problems in the marriage or bedroom department.

Additiction, imho, is a word that gets bantered around an awful lot these days. Are there issues going along with his computer/porn interest? Causing problems between the two of you (sure sounds like it), is the interest causing financial problems? Employment problems? etc., etc., etc.

Personally if I asked my wife not to tinker with my computer and she kept at it, I'd be pretty pissed. Maybe you should just buy another computer and surf porn together?

[MariaMarchita]

Originally posted by scottiB:
Maria,

A lot of good suggestions have been posted, and to summarize them a bit (and to add my own)...

What's been suggested is either to prevent the computer from being operable (removing power cables, locking the CD drive and the Mac, itself) or to prevent access to the internet and leaving the computer operable (pulling the cable modem, itself). As well, removing chairs is a good idea, but if the person is a true addict, he'll either stand or pull a chair from another room--or set the computer on the floor if that desperate. You are in a battle of wills, here, and until the addict decides, himself, to stop cruising porn sites, you'll need to be ever-vigilant.

Scott I know, you're totally right about him. It is a battle of wills. The good thing is that he knows he has a problem and he's pretty supportive of restrictions on the computer, although sometimes he does try to get around them. Addictions are powerful and they make people do extreme things. That's why I think ultimately it will help him to do something he cannot bypass.

From a hardware angle:

• Remove the monitor cable (the one that connects the monitor to the computer). While removing the computers power cable will work, there may be other items in the house that use the same type of power cable. The addict could swipe another to use it on the computer--or, worse, he could find one that looks similar, but isn't up to specifications, and jam that into the computer, perhaps damaging it.
  
  A monitor cable is less attainable (unless there's another monitor/computer in the house) and would require a trip to a computer store or Radio Shack.
• Another, more difficult method, is to un-plug the power cable from the hard drive (or remove the RAM from the slots) and padlock the door of the case (as reader50 suggested) to prevent others access.
  
• Rather than taking the whole cable modem--which is a great idea--you could remove its coxaial cable (thick black one that connects to the wall) or ethernet cables (the thick phone cord-like one that connects the computer to the cable modem). Of course, a trip to Radio Shack and he can easily procure other ones.

• Haha! Those are some great ideas! Carrying around a cable would be a lot easier than the whole modem. Plus I'd really like to prevent him from doing *anything* on the computer. He's addicted, I think, just to sitting here in front of it, clicking and typing, typing and clicking. He used to chat for probably 15 hours a day before we got together. Needless to say, AIM is no longer on our computer!
  
  
• Actually, I'd suggest upgrading to OS X. As you can see from responses here, OS 9 is not the securest of systems. The addict booting with Extensions disabled further emphasizes this. While pulling cables, removing mice, locking the computer door will all work, there will be a day when you forget to it (running late, etc.) or, after a long day, find that it's just too much of a hassle. As I've stated, no matter how many cords and peripherals are pulled, a trip to Radio Shack, a few questions to the clerk, and he'll be fixed-up in no time (and with little cost).
  
  In OS X, you can create a User that has access to only applications you choose (no permission to run a web browser or install one) and that user has no ability to install other programs or boot the system into OS9. You, as the administrator, have complete control.

[reader50]

My PM box was full, and naturally, vBB did not attach the lost message to the email notification. I've cleaned the PM box out, PMs will work again.

My effort to break Multiple Users bombed - the method no longer works under OS 9.2:
Hold down the shift bar during startup, wait for the Extensions Manager to load. Then disable the Multi-User Startup extension and continue booting. This trick worked when I tried it under 9.0.x, but 9.2 is a bit smarter.

Maria, your missing Multiple Users stuff is most likely still in the Trash. If it isn't, it will be easy enough to send you the missing files. All you needed to do was move the Multi-User Startup extension to the Extensions (Disabled) folder. Any other location would do, but that would be the best folder to move it to. Launch the Multiple Users control panel afterwards to reset passwords.

Oh, and lock up that bootable CD since he probably knows of that method now.

[willab]

I would go with a hardware method. Just open the case by pulling the latch on the side. Then unplug the wide IDE cable from the hard drive. Close the case and lock it. I am not sure about the locking. Does it have a place to put a lock?

[tooki]

PLEASE don't start pulling cables inside the machine!

The internal connectors are not designed for frequent plugging/unplugging. Doing so could result in damage to the connector, which could cause severe damage to the motherboard or other components.

I have a better idea: rather than disabling the computer, how about disabling the internet access? My vote is to buy and install (in a locked cabinet, together with the cable modem, to prevent circumvention) an ethernet router that has time-based connection blocking. My D-Link lets me block all access, or just access to certain services, by individual computer, time of day, etc.

tooki

[danbrew]

hmmm... I wonder if you've made all this up?

perhaps.

you say you don't know computers much...

but...

...in your first post you mention that you have a "G3 power mac." would a non-computer person say that?
...you know enough to say that somebody started the mac without the extensions.
..."what's a power cord?" come on. even toasters have power cords.
...you know what ResEdit is.
...you're smart enough to alter user profiles.
..."puter" - what's that? something I think a computer person would say.
...you're smart enough to boot up with the startup disk and delete multiple users and preferences and everything. then you rebot from the os on the hard drive.

hmmmm....

Computer geeks like us love helping people. Especially helpless ladies. Post a picture. Of you or the computer.

[kristofor]

So, why exactly haven't you just taken the keyboard and mouse with you when you leave? Not much to do on a computer without those things. Also, out of curiousity, who diagnosed him with this addiction?

I also believe this thread is a pure shenanigans. "What's a power cord?" I know that if I'm ever in hospital, I'll make sure it isn't yours. "Hurry nurse, plug the power cord in for the EKG!" "Whaaaaaaaaat?"

[buffalolee]

Even if you hide the keyboard, he may find his replacement somwhere.

[noirluispher]

Maria - There is no way this is true. If it is, you are definitely not satisfing him in that special "department". You might has well give up on him and get your own "addiction". (If you know what I mean.)

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by danbrew:
hmmm... I wonder if you've made all this up?

perhaps.

you say you don't know computers much...

but...

...in your first post you mention that you have a "G3 power mac." would a non-computer person say that?
...you know enough to say that somebody started the mac without the extensions.
..."what's a power cord?" come on. even toasters have power cords.
...you know what ResEdit is.
...you're smart enough to alter user profiles.
..."puter" - what's that? something I think a computer person would say.
...you're smart enough to boot up with the startup disk and delete multiple users and preferences and everything. then you rebot from the os on the hard drive.

hmmmm....

Hmmm indeed.

From the first post I have thought that something is not right.

Time will tell.

[bwana]

Use software called fileguard for OS 9.2. You can lock your hard drive but if you forget password then you have problem as you will be locked out too. Still person can boot from bootable disk but can't access any program beside what's on the cd so can't surf either.

[Brazuca]

The problem with pulling plugs and taking them with you is that you won't know if he buys another one and uses it when you leave.


The best suggestion so far for the internet is to change the password and remove it from the control panel. He'll have to get a new ISP account.

If you want OS level security, your best bet is OSX. Go to www.apple.com and buy the student version.

If it that big of a deal, get rid of the computer. It is not worth you relationship (I'm guessing here).

[redJag]

Originally posted by danbrew:
hmmm... I wonder if you've made all this up?

Thinking the exact same thing

[olePigeon]

Set a password for Open Firmware... AND DON'T FORGET IT!

[noirluispher]

It's rather interesting that Maria hasn't replied lately. Makes you go: ummmmm?

[f1000]

SELL YOUR G3, GET AN IBOOK, AND TAKE IT WITH YOU!

[DeathToWindows]

Originally posted by f1000:
SELL YOUR G3, GET AN IBOOK, AND TAKE IT WITH YOU!

who is going to buy a g3?

[Turnpike]

Originally posted by danbrew:
...in your first post you mention that you have a "G3 power mac." would a non-computer person say that?
...you know enough to say that somebody started the mac without the extensions.
..."what's a power cord?" come on. even toasters have power cords.
...you know what ResEdit is.
...you're smart enough to alter user profiles.
..."puter" - what's that? something I think a computer person would say.
...you're smart enough to boot up with the startup disk and delete multiple users and preferences and everything. then you rebot from the os on the hard drive.

I will agree that something doesn't match up. However, let's take my mom for example. She would have to do something like this if she wanted to limit somebody's access to something on the computer, but she knows a bit about computers still. This would definitely eliminate the fact that she knew it was a G3 Power Mac. She didn't mention anything about MHz or model or anything. My mom would also know about extensions, and starting without them. I don't think either of those points proves anything, or even hints at anything.

Editing user profiles is not all that hard, especially once you've been told where to find them. Again, by my comparison to my mom, she shouldn't have too much trouble here. Anybody with a familiarity of HOW the computer works should be able to do this... and anybody who writes lots of papers on the computer is probably familiar enough with it just from opening/saving files and printing things off.

"puter"... have you seen AOL? everybody talks like that, and most of them are card-carrying morons. I have never thought when I see somebody use "puter" to shave off those horrible three keystrokes "wow, they must have a decent knowledge of computers!"

Booting off a CD... check the other thread, I told her how. Doesn't surprise me she was able to figure it out.



The valid points you have there are only two, but I still think they indicate there have been lies in this thread. She did say she was a computer "moron" which is generally stronger language than she has evidenced, but that could just be frustration at her situation (and if her husband has been telling her she doesn't know anything about computers and he does, that could make somebody think this at least). The power cord comment is the most glaring problem. Everybody knows what a power cord is. We live in a world of electricity, if you don't at least know HOW to plug something in, you're in trouble. Still, she has the excuse that maybe, just maybe she thought you were talking about other power cords (for example, from the power supply to the hard drive) and didn't specify. Doubtful, but possible.

ResEdit, however... that is almost a dead giveaway. While there is still the excuse that somebody else in the house uses ResEdit or she closely follows tutorials with it, that's hard to believe. ResEdit is something that people usually don't mess with until they know plenty about what they are doing, or at least have confidence in their computing. Everything else here would seem to show she does not have confidence in her computing, even if she actually does have average skills at it.

In short, most of your arguments are far too easy to explain away. While it makes sense that they would appear because this whole thing is a lie, they don't actually prove anything, and end up muddying up your argument to those people who look for quality of quantity in arguments. There are plenty of people who see long lists of very mild arguments that can easily be explained away and are persuaded, but most of them are listening to talk radio, not hanging out on internet forums.

However, there is definitely something incongruent about the ResEdit and power cord comments. Not to say those make a rock-solid argument, but I think between the two there is a very high chance that you are right, and this thread is started on false pretenses.

[macdaddie0]

Relationships are worth much more than a computer specially husband/wife, IMHO.
So, get yourself a new ibook for something portable. Take it with you.

[DeathToWindows]

Originally posted by Turnpike:
In short, most of your arguments are far too easy to explain away. While it makes sense that they would appear because this whole thing is a lie, they don't actually prove anything, and end up muddying up your argument to those people who look for quality of quantity in arguments. There are plenty of people who see long lists of very mild arguments that can easily be explained away and are persuaded, but most of them are listening to talk radio, not hanging out on internet forums.

However, there is definitely something incongruent about the ResEdit and power cord comments. Not to say those make a rock-solid argument, but I think between the two there is a very high chance that you are right, and this thread is started on false pretenses.

can't we just sudo rmdir usr/MariaMarchita

aka - mod smackdown

[danbrew]

Originally posted by macdaddie0:
Relationships are worth much more than a computer specially husband/wife, IMHO.
So, get yourself a new ibook for something portable. Take it with you.

Or... get yourself a new husband. Easy enough - and you can probably take all of his stuff, plus his computer, with you!

[DeathToWindows]

Originally posted by danbrew:
Or... get yourself a new husband. Easy enough - and you can probably take all of his stuff, plus his computer, with you!

see above.

[danbrew]

Originally posted by DeathToWindows:
see above.

See above what?

Shoot - I'll bet she gets his house, computer, car, and even gets 1/2 of the stuff from the next guy!!

Watch out, she may want to live in suburbia.

[Todd Madson]

This really seems like a troll to me but I'm game.

Here's the facts: Men like to look at pretty women. Men like to
look at pretty women naked. Just because we're married doesn't
mean we're dead. We're genetically wired to do this. It's in
the DNA. You'll never get rid of this aspect of us as much as
you might try and get rid of it.

That being said, your husband should respect your wishes about
not spending tons of time surfing for porn on the net. But he
might look for it anyway whenever you're out.

Be glad he's just surfing for it and not spending time with a
secretary at work or the girl at the convenience store. It's
one thing to look but still another to act.

If all the wife ever seems to do on the computer is restrict it or
lock it down the more your husband is going to be inspired to look.

Since there's tons of free porn on the internet, especially if
you have broadband this could be an issue.

There's no easy answer to this - some of the porn women are
frankly gorgeous and civilians would have a hard time beating
that. But if it's a chronic deal with your husband it may
very well be an addiction he just can't deal with. When people
who diet can't have candy in the house or they'll eat it you
will also find other things that people can't have in the house
or it becomes a problem. Perhaps content filtering is the
answer. Or lock the power cable in a drawer that only you
have the key for.

Good luck.