Prevention of pc formats

[sokrates]

Hello I'm not sure whether this is the correct forum. I am managing a computer room which is used mainly by kids. We have some windows and some ubuntu workstations. I have added account protection on windows so kids cannot install inappropriate computer games and that worked for a while. Unfortunately they figured out a way to overpass it. They just formated a pc and installed theire game. I am in thoughts of what to do. I know that I could password protect the bios but that would mean that I need to be there everytime they use the computers and this is not possible. So I am looking for a solution (if there is one) that requires a password only when someone boots and tries to format the computer.
If you have any ideas please let me know.

[BC_Programmer]

Set a password in the BIOS for accessing the BIOS (usually supervisor password) and then configure it to only boot from the hard drive.

[patio]

Actually with the proper Windows security settings they should not be able to install anything...much less do a system format.
I think we're not getting the full story.

[BC_Programmer]

Actually with the proper Windows security settings they should not be able to install anything...much less do a system format.
I think we're not getting the full story.

No windows security setting prevents you from booting using a CD or floppy and formatting the drive from there.

[Salmon Trout]

Don't bother with prevention; just Ghost each computer and restore when needed.

[BC_Programmer]

Don't bother with prevention; just Ghost each computer and restore when needed.

does that kind of defeat the purpose? I thought the point in prevention was to make sure the machines were used for their intended purpose, rather than repurposed to play video games.

[Salmon Trout]

does that kind of defeat the purpose? I thought the point in prevention was to make sure the machines were used for their intended purpose, rather than repurposed to play video games.

OK. Good point. Another suggestion then: (1) remove or disable optical and floppy drives, and USB ports. (2) Whale the tar* out of any kids who disobey the "No Formatting" rule.

*Or withdraw computer privileges from them.

[sokrates]

Thanks a lot,

I will first try this :

Set a password in the BIOS for accessing the BIOS (usually supervisor password) and then configure it to only boot from the hard drive.

as it seems to be easy and enough for my case. Otherwise I will have to take different measures.

[mroilfield]

I may be missing something here but how long are these kids left in this room unsupervised that they have enough time to reformat the computers, and get everything else installed just so they can play their games. Where do they get all the software from when they reformat the PC.

Maybe you just need to have some one there all the time to ensure the PC's are used as they should be.