PC Set up

[Jack]

I need to set up PCs on a network for a school. The PCs
use Win XP and a variety of Microsoft programs. How do I
set up these machines using the features of XP eg
security, monitoring access of users to prevent wilful
and accidental damage to software. I would like the
learners to be free to explore but at the same time
minimise operational costs and down time. I am no
computer wizkid.
Thanks for you help
Jack

 

[null]

I need to set up PCs on a network for a school. The PCs
use Win XP and a variety of Microsoft programs. How do I
set up these machines using the features of XP eg
security, monitoring access of users to prevent wilful
and accidental damage to software. I would like the
learners to be free to explore but at the same time
minimise operational costs and down time. I am no
computer wizkid.
Thanks for you help
Jack

One thing I would suggest is that if the PCs are all of the same make,
model, and configuration, once you've decided on how they will be set
up, you make a ghost image of one. In that way, if the kids screw one or
more of them up, you can quickly copy the image back down to the PC(s)
and be rolling again.

As to security, the first question that needs to be answered is: will
the PCs be logging into a Windows domain?

--
The reader should exercise normal caution and backup the Registry and
data files regularly, and especially before making any changes to their
PC, as well as performing regular virus and spyware scans. I am not
liable for problems or mishaps that occur from the reader using advice
posted here. No warranty, express or implied, is given with the posting
of this message.

 

[Jack]

The ghosting is an option considered. The most important
thing for now is restricting access to folders on a local
machine the network etc. All machines are on a single
workgroup. Only one PC will be allocated administrator
status and considered the control PC.
For example if MS Word has its folder locked the program
may not work because files in this folder need to be
written to. So how do I let the program use this folder
but not the kids.

Thanks
Jack

 

[null]

The ghosting is an option considered. The most important
thing for now is restricting access to folders on a local
machine the network etc. All machines are on a single
workgroup. Only one PC will be allocated administrator
status and considered the control PC.
For example if MS Word has its folder locked the program
may not work because files in this folder need to be
written to. So how do I let the program use this folder
but not the kids.

Thanks
Jack

Right-click My Computer on the user's PC, select Manage. In the
left-hand pane select Local Users and Groups. Then, in the left-hand
pane select Groups. Put the student's accounts in the Users group and
they should be able to do most stuff without damaging the PC's setup.

Be sure you give the Administrator account a strong password: minimum of
8 characters, a mix of upper and lower case characters, a mix of
numbers, letters, and special characters such as the $ sign.

Ghost that image and put it on all PCs. You'll need to use sysprep to
make sure each PC has a different SID, and I assume you have individual
XP license codes for each PC, so you'll have to input that code in each
PC after it has been imaged and booted.

--
The reader should exercise normal caution and backup the Registry and
data files regularly, and especially before making any changes to their
PC, as well as performing regular virus and spyware scans. I am not
liable for problems or mishaps that occur from the reader using advice
posted here. No warranty, express or implied, is given with the posting
of this message.

 

[Interrogative]

I need to set up PCs on a network for a school. The PCs
use Win XP and a variety of Microsoft programs. How do I
set up these machines using the features of XP eg
security, monitoring access of users to prevent wilful
and accidental damage to software. I would like the
learners to be free to explore but at the same time
minimise operational costs and down time. I am no
computer wizkid.
Thanks for you help
Jack

Go to www.winguides.com and download Tweak Manager. In there you can search
for what you want to do. It will instantly change a machine to what you
desire, via the registry. That includes forced anything on the machine and
disability to open whatever you don't want opened.