Forum Moderators: travelin cat
Anyone know of a way to disable that key? I'd really like to be able to just use the on/off switch on the back of the machine.....
Oh and if you've got any other safeguard suggestions, I'd appreciate those as well. He's already renamed the files for Teach Text. I'm just worried about him accidently deleting necessary files, since we no longer have any of the software for this machine.
Thanks in advance for the help!
My immediate answer for the power key is "epoxy". I recommend shutting down using the proper command from the "special" menu. Using the rocker switch behing can lead to problems.
For the rest of your questions, I would like to know wich version of Mac OS the Classic is running. There are many ways to lock some folders, all depending of wich version of OS.
Just surfed around a bit, with no luck, under the System folder. I've got a System Enabler 401 folder that's for the computer only to look at. I've got files going back as far as August 1992.
Whereabouts do I need to look?
The Color Classic requires at least System 7.1 (with System Enabler 401) to 7.6.1, can go up to more recent versions. It was introduced 1 February 1993, older files could have been transferred to it after purchase.
As sun818, mentionned, you could know more details about it using the Apple menu (top left) and choosing item "about this Mac" or "about this Computer". You would see OS version at top right of new window.
A lot of free utilities will let you lock folders or files. They are out there. Look them up with keywords like 'Locking folders' and "Mac OS _your version here_" shareware (use quotes for Mac OS version).
You can save them on a PC floppy and install it on the Mac.
Version 7.1, running on a whopping 7,008k RAM, 4,001 of it built-in.
The main problem I have with downloading shareware is that other than the Color Classic, we've currently only got PCs around here. The Mac doesn't have an internet connection, so I have no way of moving anything to it, 'cause I can't format disks to be compatible. <shrug>
Any other ideas? My son loves the fact that he can type on the keyboard like Mommy and Daddy and we're hoping to teach him the alphabet, etc. without destroying anything important on any machine, if we can help it....
As for where the machine came from - a friend gave it to use about 3 years ago when she was upgrading and discovered we had just built two computers (both PC). She figured we could use another computer. She's sweet, but hasn't got a clue about computers, never mind that there's a difference between Macs and PCs..... ;)
Or, look around online and see if anyone offers downloads of an old mac utility called "At Ease". It was specifically designed for folks who's children used their Mac... allows you to choose what appears on the 'kids' desktop, and they don't have access to anything else.
Then, if you want to change anything, you enter your password and have full, normal access to the machine.
Faster than apple tech support.
<edit>pretty much duplicate post deleted
I dont know if some version of At Ease came with the computer (Mac OS 7.1). One thing is for sure, it is not the safest one to use.
Put a nice full screen game in the folder called "start up items" (you can also use an alias), when the machine "boots" the first thing that will happen is the game, that may keep the little one away from the other goodies.
And 20 years olds can be quite stupid too.
<blush>I confess, I trashed a system folder back in 1984. I needed more room on that floppy...</blush>
Yes, the above mentionned should work, until the 2 years old finds the control panel...
Finds the control panel, guesses daddy's password, and figures out how to shut off protection on the System Folder... at which point, I say let the kid have free reign, because you've got a genius on your hands. ;)
Apple (I think) still offers downloads of older system software anyhow... and you can find plenty of free support for older macs through various email lists for Mac collectors if something goes wrong. I have aover 1/2 dozen machine swith different flavors of OS 6 & 7 on them... it's not hard to find. :)
I found out about At Ease vulnerabilties when I forgot a startup floppy on the desk near some old Mac (ok, more accuratly, in the floppy slot), but within reach of a 5 years old girl... major damage!
I forgot a startup floppy on the desk near some old Mac (ok, more accuratly, in the floppy slot), but within reach of a 5 years old girl
Yeah... that startup disk can cause all sorts of problems. hehehe.
But even older kids are major hazards. My mom once asked my little brother to clean off their HD, because she didn't know which files they needed and which they didn't...
...he didn't remember ever needing a file called "System," and it took up a lot of space, so... hehehe. Needless to say, a couple hourse later after a frantic phone call, I was over at her house trying to figure out what happened. Lucky for them their trash was so full the computer couldn't empty it, so the System file was still sitting in there. (Then I explained to my mom what the "Empty Trash" command was for, as she'd never actually emptied it in the whole 2 years or so they'd owned the machine...)
Now that I live in Alaska though, I can't just go over to her house and fix these things for her, I have to try to walk her through it over the phone. Ever try to teach someone to use PhotoShop over the phone?
I stop reading messages to spend time with David (the 2-year-old in question), fix dinner, put him to bed, correct a couple of problems associated with a virus download trying to screw with my computer, and come back to find that you've been busy finding answers for me!
Thanks! :)
I managed to start locking individual files and folders (File->Shared->check-the-box to disallow rename/delete/etc.), but I know it's going to take forever this way. At least it'll slow down the damage he can do, even if it doesn't completely stop him.
I haven't had a chance to try the "floppy swap" yet to see if it'll work, so I still don't know if I can download files on my PC and move 'em to the Mac. I may have to hold on that 'til tomorrow as it's getting late here.
I started doing the search for At Ease, but no luck so far. I'll keep searching for it (been a bit busy this evening....), but I may have to take you up on your offer, Macguru! After I find out if I can floppy-swap, that is. ;) I'm guessing that, 'cause of the age of the machine, I'll have to use 720 formatting, rather than 1.44.....?
Thanks, mivox, for reminding me that until the Trash is emptied, the contents don't go anywhere. That'll slow him down at least a little!
Kids are sometimes more destructive than computer neophytes, 'cause they've got no fear about what they click and drag. Although my sister, who had some basic knowledge of DOS and was considered the "DOS expert" at her school (frightening concept if you knew exactly how little my sister knew at the time), trashed her computer several years ago by deciding she didn't need a few files that turned out to be system files. Unfortunately, she had already emptied her trash. She had to do a complete reinstall. (snicker) I had warned her about that, but she doesn't listen to her little sister nearly often enough. ;)
I'm guessing that, 'cause of the age of the machine, I'll have to use 720 formatting, rather than 1.44
The Classic should handle 1.44 floppies just fine...
I may definitely have to take you up on the offer re: the floppies. Seems Mac Color Classic can't read PC formatted disks. :(
I'm still looking for the At Ease software. I'll need to make sure it'll work with my OS. I was told about another piece of software from a listserv I'm on called KeyboardLock, but it will only work with OS 7.55.
I'd look into the upgrade, but then there's that pesky disk incompatibility problem again. <sigh>
Try searching Apple's site for old PC file sharing utilities... I know there was software that would read PC formatted files for OS 7, and I could've sworn there was a disk reading utility, but it could be that a new Windows machine isn't writing in the same "PC" format that System 7 was designed to talk to... I know Apple has changed their default disk format since then.
I'll look around for a PC file sharing utility, but I'm still going to need to get it on the Mac. Unfortunately, since there's no modem, I've got to rely on the floppy to add anything to the system. :(
Turns out I've got a client who may have some old Mac hardware in their upstairs kitchen (don't ask!). My contact thinks it's all-in-one equipment, but she's going to check for me and let me know what they've got that I might be able to have.
I'm really hoping for an external hard drive, scsi zip drive, or something like that, but I'm not holding my breath. ;)
You guys have all been a wonderful resource and little does my son know what's in store for him in the next week or so. I may save all the new fun stuff for his birthday (1/22) and just turn the machine on and turn him loose! :)
Thanks everybody! :)
