deniyng user to mess up pc

[rocco]

Hello,
I'm developing an application that will collectdata through a touchscreen
monitors.
Essentailly it's an application which administer questionnaires to subjects
in my private practice.
For privacy, the user will be alone while answering the questionnaire.
Even if I make the form to run in full screen mode and even if I make them
pop up and modal, the user has stil a chance of touching the "start" button
at the bottom of the window and by that way to go around and mess up the
computer by deleting anything he/she wants to.
I have managed to disable the keyboard but cannot immagine hot to drive the
user not to be able to act on the start menu. I can hide the taskbar, but I
was looking for some better solution.
Hoping to have well explained what I'm looking for, thanks in advance.

Rocco

 

[Chris O'C via AccessMonster.com]

This is really an os situation, so you should post your question in a group
for your os. What I'd do is create a new, very limited user profile. I'd
customize the start menu properties and uncheck every check box and select
the "Don't display this item" on everything else. I'd remove everything
except one item on the start menu: your app.

Don't let the quick launch toolbar show if it's got the desktop icon on it
(which is the default). You don't want to give them access to the desktop.

And then somehow (can you tell I don't know how?) disable the user's ability
to change properties on the task bar and the start menu. (Ask how in the os
group.)

Remove any removable media drives like floppy drives, cd and dvd players and
disable usb ports.

I'd also put an administrator password on the bios (make sure you store it
somewhere safe, you don't want to lose it). Now when the user tries to get
out of your program and do mayhem, all they can do is quit the program, which
you'll code to log off the user (or shut down windows).

They can shut down the pc or reopen your program from the start menu, but
they'll be right back where they started from, at the Windows login screen or
your app's login screen. They won't be able to get into the bios and make
changes because they need the administrator password.

But honestly, if I were worried somebody was going to do mayhem on my pc I
wouldn't let them anywhere near my pc, let alone unsupervised.

Chris
Microsoft MVP

 

[rocco]

Thank you so much!
i'm going to re-post my message on a more appropriate newsgroup.
Meanwhile thanks for your hints, I will them a try!

Rocco

 

[Tom van Stiphout]

On Fri, 3 Oct 2008 10:26:00 -0700, rocco

Windows has a feature called Group Policy for this. It allows you to
setup a Kiosk-style application that can only run your app, even if a
hacker unplugs and replugs your PC. A good IT firm would know how to
set this up for you.

-Tom.
Microsoft Access MVP

 

[rocco]

This sounds very intersting; it looks like The Solution.
Can you give me some more hints? I will google it by if want/can share some
more information I will really appreciate.
IT? I wish they know what it means...

Rocco

 

[Chris O'C via AccessMonster.com]

That *does* sound like what you need! Thanks Tom!

I found some overview info for you on Microsoft's website.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc758145.aspx

You need a Windows administrator to set this up on a pc that's dedicated to
your app. You won't be able to use the pc for other purposes.

If Windows administrators are qualified to set this up they know IT stands
for information technology.

Chris
Microsoft MVP

 

[rocco]

Perfect !
"problem solved" I guess... although I have to read/study loooots of stuff.
But at least I got the solution.

Thanks to all of us for the help.
Rocco