# Blocking computer programs. Possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 16, 2002, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047 "2002-12-16T08:01:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/21 "2002-12-17T01:34:50Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by SC\_Wolf \* **I don’t think that schools have gotten to the point where they require a computer for homework. (Too many households out there that still don’t have a computer after all.)Make him write out the reports longhand, and do his research at the public library.** Sure, maybe a student who attends a riff-raff public school doesn’t need one, and can hand in sloppy reports written in pen. But my kid attends a private school that’s almost 5k a semester. Handing in reports written in hand is not acceptable. They require everything be typed out, and it’s far easier for him to do this on a computer then on an old typewriter. \*\*A minor’s computer usage should be at the discression of the head of the household, and he clearly can’t obey your simple rules for using the computer. Therefore, his computer privleges should be yanked. \*\* I have banned his computer use from time to time. But you have to pick your battles you know. I did not ask for parenting advice, just advice on how to block this one program. Listen: At his age punishing him is nowhere near as much fun as fucking with his head. I wouldn’t mind it if he removed it off the hard drive after each use, but he always forgets. What I envision is a scenario where he tries to install the program and the computer says “No way kid” and he sits with a dumb look on his face, me trying to withhold my laughter. ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/22 "2002-12-17T01:54:38Z")
A little Googleing found a piece of software called [OnGuard](http://poweronsoftware.com/products/onGuard/) that may do the trick for you. There are probably other pieces of software in this category, it’s just the first I came across. ---
**Author:** ![polymur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7993a0/32.png) [@polymur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polymur)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/23 "2002-12-17T08:09:14Z")
you can’t kid a kidder … it’s me mom, found your post in the temp internet files 😉 seriously though, just right click on the the AIM icon and close it if you think it’s bogging down your system. this will clear it from memory (sorta) aim is great and cheaper than phone (though i’m sure you’re not worried about your phone bill if you’re sending your brat to berkshire) … if you really want to mess with him, change your isp to AOL and buy a 14.4 modem on ebay ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/24 "2002-12-17T12:18:47Z")
I think this is one of those fights you shouldn’t have picked. Whatever method you use will slow down your computer much more then aim. THe simplest way would be install zone alarm (free) and block the port. Aim will install but not connect. Other ways involve setting up user accounts with limited privlages and software that is used for public use computers - all of which would be much more herky jerky then aim. THat said aim is not causing your problem - you have something else running or just soo much crap running that maybe aim pushes it over the top. Perhaps your key cactching program is causing it (if not the hardware one). Kids use IM’s to communicate - It is different then using the phone and very useful in quick questions - you can ask at your leasure and the other person can answer at his. Be thankful that he is not tying up the phone. Just my humble O ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/25 "2002-12-17T13:00:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by polymur \* > \*\*you can’t kid a kidder … it’s me mom, found your post in the temp internet files 😉 > > seriously though, just right click on the the AIM icon and close it if you think it’s bogging down your system. this will clear it from memory (sorta) > > aim is great and cheaper than phone (though i’m sure you’re not worried about your phone bill if you’re sending your brat to berkshire) … if you really want to mess with him, change your isp to AOL and buy a 14.4 modem on ebay \*\* bwahaha Owned! It looks like any suggestions will have to be through PM rather than this thread then. Just make sure he doesnt find out your SDMB password. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/26 "2002-12-17T13:11:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*If you have Windows XP, you can just put a password on the Administrator account, and then set up a Use account that doesn’t allow new installations of _anything_. That’d keep him from clogging up the hard drive with games and stuff, too. \*\* This sounds like a good solution. Is the machine XP, **pkbites**? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/27 "2002-12-17T13:37:32Z")
Hey PKBITES - I live in your neck of the woods. How bout I gather up some of my jabeeps and we throw the boy a blanket party? I can be anywhere in Milwaukee in fifteen minutes. Cash on delivery, if you know what I mean. PS (used to live on 53rd and Villard ) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/28 "2002-12-17T16:58:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by whuckfistle \* > \*\*PS (used to live on 53rd and Villard ) \*\* ugh. I bet you’re glad to not live there anymore. I’m way the heck over on the west side, by the zoo. The machine is on Windows 98. It’s got to be the AIM doing it. The only time the machine slows down is when he has AIM installed on it. I install all kinds of programs (Win TV, digital camera, internet web camera, this/that/the other, etc., etc.) with not problems. As soon as he installs AIM: BOOM! The computer acts up, and keeps acting up until it’s removed. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/29 "2002-12-17T19:28:19Z")
Couldn’t you write a small daemon to check for AIM in the registry (or something) and automatically call its uninstall and reboot? Not quite blocking it from installing, but close. ---
**Author:** ![Mort\_Furd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mort\_Furd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mort_Furd)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/30 "2002-12-17T21:12:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mort Furd \* > **If you don’t have XP or Win2000 or WinNT, then try this: > Find out where AIM installs and the name of the executable. Uninstall the crap, then create a directory of the same name. Store an empty file in this directory with the same name as the executable (right down to the .exe,) and then set its properties to “hidden system readonly.” If you have the normal settings on Explorer, then he won’t be able to find the file that causes the install routine to stop. You might also make the directory itself hidden and read only.** Since you’ve got Windows 98, give this a try. I guess maybe I shouldn’t have put the bit about the elctroshock on the end, but the rest of this is for real and serious. ---
**Author:** ![jbird3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jbird3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jbird3000)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/31 "2002-12-17T21:53:31Z")
Like **dylan\_73** said, you can get [Trillian](http://www.trillian.cc), which lets you communicate on AIM, along with ICQ, IRC, Yahoo, and MSN. That way, the kid has his AIM, and your computer doesn’t get bogged down. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/32 "2002-12-17T22:50:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mort Furd \* > \*\*I guess maybe I shouldn’t have put the bit about the elctroshock on the end, but the rest of this is for real and serious. \*\* You mean you weren’t serious about the electroshock? Damn! That was a good idea, too!😛 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047/33 "2002-12-17T23:12:46Z")
Any chance you could trade in the youngin for a different model? Might solve the problem once and for all. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-computer-programs-possible/143047.md?page=1)