How to disable power/reset buttons?

[chrestomanci]

I have a problem with the power and reset buttons on the front of my PC.

The problem is that my 15 month old son has discovered what a great reaction he gets from me if he presses them while I am using the computer. Needless to say, I am not amused when my computer abruptly reboots in the middle of editing an important document for work.

So is there a way I can prevent the little darling from rebooting my computer when I don't want him to, but still allow me to power on the computer when it is shutdown.

I know that I could disconnect the buttons from the headers on the motherboard, but that would prevent me turning the computer on.

I tried making a cardboard cover to fit over the front of the computer to protect the buttons, but the kid figured it out and removed it after only a few minutes.

Unfortunately there are no high up shelves or other bits of furniture to move the computer to, It has to sit at floor level.

I had considered somehow wiring the two buttons in series so that you would have to press both at once to power on the computer, but I am not sure how I could do that without soldering, and in any case I think the boy would figure it out.

Any other ideas?

The computer is running Windows XP.

[GoNz0]

on mine the reset buttons had the wires removed and in windows power management you can select the option when the power button is pressed, thats set to do nothing so you can still power it up.

nothing will stop him from holding it for 5 seconds to force a power off though.

[Pob255]

There's plenty you could do but it would involve modding.

eg replaceing you power button with something like this http://www.8linesupply.com/p/Switch-...ng-Return.html or a case like the antec p180 series where the power button is behind the door which is lockable.

[Sputnik]

Set the bios to PWR_ON after power fail and disconnect both the power and reset headers from the motherboard ?

[GoNz0]

maybe the bios has wake on keyboard ?

[shakerist]

buy one of these http://www.scan.co.uk/products/shark...ch-top-product

[Zak33]

you already know the right thing to do.... you even worded your thread accordingly

just
don't
react


pretend to work... bring him into the room....let him do it... keep looking at the screen, totally ignore him... totally blank him.

do it over and over... it'll only take 5 times.. he'll stop and get bored.

mine did

same rules for other non dangerous stuff..... so if they chuck something that you're not bothered about...... ignore.... whack a wall with a toy WHILE watching you... looking for a reaction.. ignore

what then occurs is that when then do something DANGEROUS... and daddy properly bellows, a real lung emptying roar... like Odin in Valhalla.. it's such a shock that the little one litterally falls to the floor with terror.

Sounds harsh.. but works. Mine won't go near wall plugs or the open fire. Mind you... the windows rattled when I had a good bellow.

[kalniel]

Disconnect reset button from motherboard header. Change behaviour of power button in windows to do nothing. Use software shut down, and you'll still be able to use the button to turn on computer. He'll have to hold it down for five seconds to do anything once the computer is on, but unlikely he'll figure it out because you'll rarely have a need to use it.

[Sputnik]

I suppose the most fun way would be to wire it up to the power supply for an electric fence. I don't think he would try it more than once

[oolon]

Along with disabling the headers as suggested, get a remote switchable power strip, so you can have an on off button on your desk.

If you don't mind a long cable comming out of the machine, cut the header wire and put another switch in series with the orginal one, that way both switches must be pressed at the same time, you could put this behind a cover. My daughter has discovered the power button to my UPS, well it does glow nice and bright, I covered it over.

[GoNz0]

i need to buy a cattle prod for my little girl.

LUCY NO!

LUCY NO!

***ZAP***

told ya.