Thin Clients keep being unplugged

[manc_techie]

Good Afternoon Edugeekers,

 

We are seeing an annoying issue at the moment of students unplugging all of the cables from our Thin Clients and using this an excuse to do no work. Teaching staff aren't having much luck stopping them doing this and I was wondering has anyone come across a way to physically lock access to the rear ports on a HP T520 Thin Client. We've tried using cable ties to no luck.

 

Thanks,

[NB9457]

Firstly it isn't really your issue, the clients are in, they're working and the kids are deliberately doing things to them, poor classroom management.

 

As there's 'nothing the teachers can do'...

1: I'd suggest speaking directly to the teachers, seating plans, kids hate it, but it allows the teacher and yourself to keep track of which pupil uses which machine.

2: Are the rooms locked, staff supervison during clubs and lunches? If not, lock it until thet start respecting the kit.

3: Is it possible to move the clients to a more awkward position? Bolted under a desk or on the back of a monitor?

4: You could always buy lockable under or desk mounted cages, but these aren't really that cheap.

[manc_techie]

I agree it's classroom management but there's one member of staff looking after over 150 clients and they're doing their best. I was looking at mounting to the back of monitors but I've recently started and there's no VESA mounts I guess new monitors could be a solution.

[NB9457]

What cables are they pulling out?

[Cache]

Yeah which cables?

 

Would cable tieing all the cables to the unit help? This stopped a lot of keyboards moving around classrooms and the obsession with people plugging mice in the front usb port, but might be a slightly different issue?

 

If it's the ethernet cable, you could try a cable tie under the clip on the cable so that it can't be pressed down far enough to unclip and snip it quite close. It's still doable with some fiddling/wiggling of the cable tie but certainly makes it more difficult.

[eddyc]

We had a cover room in my previous school which would house 5 classes (150 students).

 

We had around a quarter of the thin clients in the room being unplugged on a daily basis.

 

The only fix was to get lockable cupboards installed under the desks so that the students don't have any access to any cables.

 

Whilst I agree it is a classroom management issue, I do have to feel a bit sorry for that one member of staff who is trying to manage 150 students!

[rrrrr]

How about these Mfr Part #: F4N54AA

We use the full desktop version on our usdt's and kensington lock them in place

 

[Asgard]

We have started using these little things to stop the students in our new sponsored academy unplugging stuff!

 

http://www.patchsavesolutions.com/rj45-patch-cord-locks/2684-rj45-lockdown-patch-cord-locks-pair-in-black.html

 

Started on the MFDs and progressed to desktops in known trouble spots and in some cases Wireless Access Points ...... No really..... Kids standing on tables to unplug them for a laugh.

Edited November 9, 2015 by Asgard

[carvjo]

Hi Dan

Use M4 bolts to attach one of these to each of the VESA mount locations on the monitors - (Screw Cable Tie Mount - available lots of places inc. CPC, Screwfix or Conrad in Germany)

Then use monster long cable ties, or join several big cable ties - and cable tie the thin clients to the back of the monitor..

Do it with the power button to the top of the monitor, and the cables at the base.. the cables will be out of reach of little fingers!

 

For added security - a hot melt glue gun can be used to hold the cables in place.

 

Also setup a couple of webcams on old PCs with iSpy to pry on what the kids are doing..

 

Best of luck..