Ok, here my problem.
My mom's evil boyfriend comes here every so often. Every time he comes, he hogs the computer like it's his.
And also, coincidently, every time he comes over my password dissappears...
The problem is my mom has a Admin account and she can change my password as she pleases. That means, when the a*****e of whom I hate so much that hogs the computer when he's here, can too.
I need a tool that will allow me to put another, third party, password on my account that will keep any mother****er out of my stuff unless he/she knows the password.
OR! I need a tweak taht will allow my mom an administrator account, but keep her from changing passwords (not including hers)


Please guys, I really need this.




*recon415 out.

If the issue is privacy, then you could give encryption a try.

Either use the built-in Windows encryption capabilities, or a 3rd party encryption system like TrueCrypt (excellent program!) By the way, TrueCrypt is Freeware so there's no added expense to use it.

If you do not have admin authority, ask your mom to install TrueCrypt and setup an encrypted container for you. She may or may not decide to allow you an exclusive decrypt key depending on the trust issue. TrueCrypt can even be setup so that a thumbdrive with a specific file(s) must be inserted in the system in order to access your data container. So, even with a password, your data wouldn't be accessible. It's pretty flexible and powerful.

But, it would seem to me you have every reasonable expectation that your "stuff" will be private (and safe) from the boyfriend.

I would also make sure that your data are regularly backed-up to media to which the boyfriend does not have access.

Another alternative is for you to buy an external hard drive and keep all your stuff on that drive. When you're through using the computer, disconnect your drive and lock it in a secure place. You're mom can set things up so that your emails, etc. are stored on your disk instead of in a common location. That way, no matter what "mistakes" might be made, your data have some degree of protection. You can buy an reasonably large, external USB hard drive for relatively little money these days.

Another alternative is to setup a "portable" application (or even an entire OS that you boot the system with) to do your work. A number of browsers, email programs, etc are now designed to be run from a thumbdrive. It usually does take admin authority to authorize the use but once that's done, it's easy to use. You plug your thumbdrive into the computer, do your browsing/emailing, and then remove the thumbdrive. When done properly, none of your personal data are saved on the system drive...it's all in your thumbdrive.

A bootable OS would be something like Ubuntu or Knoppix LiveCD/DVD. They're really not designed to be a day-to-day OS, but they can be used that way. They are dog slow, because they run off the CD/DVD. Again, you still need an external drive to store any of your data on, but these LiveCD/DVD's come complete with browsers, email, word processing, etc.

edit to add: the Ubuntu and Knoppix info...more as an example than anything else.
edit to add: a bit more info about TrueCrypt

Recon415 said:
So is the account you are using a Limited User account or is it also Administrative? I'm assuming that there are currently two accounts: one for your mom and one for you.


Edit: What operating system is this (Home, Professional, Profesional x64 Edition, Media Center 2003, or Media Center 2005)?

Yes, I have an admin account.

My version is: XP Professional Build 5.1 Service Pack 3 v.3264 (RC1 build)


I have linux but currently it only takes about 4 GB on my hard disk (which will not hide all my stuff).
Mainly what Im asking for is a tweak (whatever it may be) to stop other people on this computer with an admin account from changing my password.
And also thanks for teh TrueCrypt. I ahve been looking for a decent free encryptor for a loong time.

Recon415 said:
My guess is that the solution is in Group Policy. I'll see what I can find...

Perhaps a demotion is in order? The only way that will work is if your mother is on your side. What I would do is change your mother's password (obviously, to something she knows and he does not) and give him his own Limited User account; therefore, he cannot tamper with the system at all and is segregated to just using what is made available to him by the administrators (you and your mother). Obviously, this is a bad idea if your mother is not on your side.

I'll ponder it some more. I have some ideas but they are not collected yet...


Edit: Perhaps the rightful way to do this is have your mom be the sole administrator and demote you and him to Limited User. This is a compromise that may work if your mom is neutral and/or siding with him. That is assuming it is her computer after all, correct?


There are some other, more sinister routes to regaining access. For instance, on some installations of Windows XP, an "Administrator" account is created and then hidden. It may, or may not have a password. That account is essentially just for safe-mode and doesn't even appear unless you log in to it directly or boot into safe-mode. It's a backdoor that he might not know about but, beware, he'll probably figure it out rather quickly.


Edit: Edit: The last solution I have for you now is detailed here (making a password reset floppy disk). This is only an option if you have a floppy drive/disk available (external should work):
http://rselby.net/pass.htm#lfpw2

You could probably do a web search for better guides than this. This is basically along the lines of lost/forgotten password in Windows XP. The computer doesn't care if it was intentionally lost or not.

Important Note: Anyone with the floppy can gain access to your account.

A good program that can really help simplify a lot of the admin actions, creating PW reset diskettes, etc. is freeware XP SysPad...especially for new users.

XP SysPad is a Windows system monitoring utility that allows easy access to Windows system information and Windows system utilities, such as the individual control panel applets, as well as putting the “hidden” applications in Windows at your fingertips. XP Syspad also recovers lost Windows & MS-Office product keys
http://www.xtort.net/xtort-software/xpsyspad/

Hook your desk chair to an outlet, With the feet on wet cloth. Then plug it in the next time he sits down. Nah, that's no good. Sneak up behind him with a baseball bat. Ya that works for me.

Boot into safe mode with your user name. When you get there hit start/log off. Then use the log off option again. A log on screen will come up. It will give yours, your moms, and administrator options. No one hardly ever password protects the admin account. Sign in as administrator, and change your password and change your account to an administrative account. If you want you should ne able to change your mothers password too. Or even better, delete your mom and tell her the boyfriend did it! Ya now THAT really works for me. Seriously tell your mom to make the BF his own damn account and tell her to tell him to leave your s**t alone. She needs to respect your privacy. I don't know how old you are but if you're young I don't blame your mom for what she does except with the boyfriend crap. She's disrespecting you by letting her boy friend access your account. And him changing your password is totally unacceptable.

create an empty text document and type "shutdown -f" in the first line... save this file as shutdown.bat and place it in the startup folder of the boyfriends programs menu. That will fix your problem.