Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Is it at all possible to have a program that you can boot from a USB Pen that loads a screen saying "Computer out of Order" and disables any input etc.
powdarrmonkey Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) What happens if the computer is reset after you've walked away? Edited October 16, 2008 by powdarrmonkey
Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 I know, I know - what's the point. I carry USB pens around with me and it would be easy to bang one in a machine and boot up the screen saying out of order, rather than having to log on to another machine to print a bit of paper out.
localzuk Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 We have our signs ready made and laminated...
powdarrmonkey Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) Nono, I think it's a good idea. But do you want it to overwrite the boot sector so that if it's reset the message re-appears, or just hope for the best? Edited October 16, 2008 by powdarrmonkey
Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 Most of the time if a machine fails it's hardware related which can sometimes take a while to fix - so having it write to the boot sector would be a good idea. Even better would be to have a menu with an option: 1) Write to boot (Will mean machine will need a rebuild/reimage) 2) Display temp "Out of Order" sign (Will mean machine can be restarted and booted back to OS when needed.
WithoutMotive Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 What if it's the monitor that's broke and you're waiting on a replacement?
Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 What if it's the monitor that's broke and you're waiting on a replacement? Tippex it on the screen. So does anyone have the expertise to write something like this?
localzuk Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 How about using PXE boot to do it instead? That way, it isn't reliant on the hardware other than mobo, memory and nic working. You could do this using something like 2x thin client server and a session with that as the desktop or something.
powdarrmonkey Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 I'm not making promises, but I know people who do.
Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 Think of all the machines that get left on during free periods and such - nobody seems to make a stink about those.
EduTech Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 I suppose in a way, if it was something you could stick on a memory stick.. if you disabled every other boot device and just booted from the memory stick that would work as then if the machine was rebooted it would boot into the removable device (memory Stick) just a thought James.
Little-Miss Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Hmm, I think it's a really good idea Hightower...but can see both sides of the argument. At my last school, they'd turn them off if they had a sign on them, or they'd turn them on..
Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 I'm not sure exactly how hard it would be to create something like this - but if someone made it I'd be happy to test it out and feedback.
Midget Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 You would have to enable boot from USB (unless you want to play with BIOS every time) which will introduce a giant security hole
OutToLunch Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 You would have to enable boot from USB (unless you want to play with BIOS every time) which will introduce a giant security hole +1 on that one. The other issue which has been touched on is that a lot of students (and staff?) would not be able to cope with a PC that is 'on' being out of order. It's either off, has a sign and is broken, or it's on and usable. Would just result in lots of resets, unplugging and plugging then a "can you come and look at the PC in..." here.
K.C.Leblanc Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 How about a VGA dongal that attaches to the monitor directly?
Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 a solution to a problem that doesn't exist Hmmmm, after some thought I think you may be right. You would have to enable boot from USB (unless you want to play with BIOS every time) which will introduce a giant security hole Boot from USB is enabled - permanently. We build our computers from USB Flash/Floppy.
Midget Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 then you have no security on your network. No offence, but it is stupid to reply on security through obscurity. One bored kid will discover knoppix and start making your job harder
OutToLunch Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Hmmmm, after some thought I think you may be right. Boot from USB is enabled - permanently. We build our computers from USB Flash/Floppy. What do you do about kiddies with USB boot Linux based penetration testing suites and other naughty toys?
Hightower Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 What do you do about kiddies with USB boot Linux based penetration testing suites and other naughty toys? Haha - you're joking right?! I know you are saying but it's never been a problem and at the minute the last task on my list is to go round changing 300 boot priorities. That said, some of the computers here have the option to choose boot up device without going in to BIOS.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now