I have to secure a semi-public computer against tampering. Not the case itself, but the mouse and KB. There is no threat of theft, I just need to stop a curious person from using the computer. The computer runs a projector, and cannot go into standby or into a password protected screensaver or the projection stops. I was thinking that a keyswitch controlling USB power would be sufficient to keep the machine from being used. Any thoughts?
Yea, should work great... I just ordered a similar keyswitch for security reasons for my case. Its a two poled switch, but I'm using mine to enable/disable the power switch. I got it on ebay for like $10.00 and you may have to look around for awhile... mine is a tubular styled key. Took me awhile to find the one I wanted, kept finding ones that were designed for ignitions, meaning they had more than two poles, or they would have like 3-6 wires hanging outta them... lmao. Anyway, checked ebay and found them keyed switch. Its also called a "keyed kill switch". Just thought I'de try to help you out, as far as the disabling power to usb it seems very do'able, but I would wait till someone that know a little more about USB wiring to chime in before I started on this project. Just my 2 cents...
unpluging the k/b and mouse should work as usb is plug and play, all u have to do is plug the k/b and mouse back in and they SHOULD work again. simple.
Only problem with USB's plug and play is when its connected and disconnected it will stop the projection and alert you that hardware has been added or removed. ...
If I remember correctly, the USB + and - lines are the first to be connected and last to be disconnected when inserting a USB plug, therefore you'd want to switch the data lines rather than the power lines.
wouldn't disconnecting the data or power lines be exactly the same thing as unplugging? and as such cause the same problems?
I hadn't considered the new hardware message stopping the projection. That would stop me from unplugging the mouse or KB, or using a switch. and disabling the data lines would bring up a similar message. (USB device not recognised) I could try the keylock idea anyways, Jameco Link sells keyswitches for about $3.50-$5.00 US, and I'll be ordering some stuff from them anyways.
Convert your keyboard and mouse to PS/2 using the little adapter thingies that come with most usb mice and keyboards these days and then either use a keyswitch or just unplug them.
gotta be a window's option to disable those messages. You could also consider installing a switch that just grounds the v lines so the mouse still appears to be there.
Yo-DUH, which pin should I set to be broken? I think Pin1 or Pin4 could be disconnected, but I fear cutting the ground and the kbdclk (clock) because they might ruin the KB. If possible, I would like windows to think the mouse/KB are still connected. There are six: Pin 1 KBDAT (data) Pin 2 not used Pin 3 GND Pin 4 VCC (+5V) Pin 5 KBDCLK (clock) Pin 6 not used Jesse, what is anti spy, and can I get a link?
I honestly don't know which one to cut, but I can unplug a ps/2 keyboard from a machine and plug it back in without too much trouble, same with mouse. I'd assume vcc would be a good thing to cut
When running NT4x or Win2K with a PS/2 mouse and keyboard, you can connect/disconnect them at will with no effect at all. I didn't see you specifiy what OS and am only assuming that your mouse and keyboard is USB as that's the adapter you're talking about. Why bother messing with cutting pins etc when for a few £s you could get a Keyboard/mouse which wouldn;t cause you the problem when (dis)connecting. Then again - I probably missed something; I normally do! Stu
umm...guys, PS/2 is NOT hot-swappable. Most motherboards have protection built in these days, since folks insist on pulling out the keyboard and mouse all the time, but there is NO guarantee that this won't fry the controllers! PS/2 isn't designed for this, so if it works once, there's no guarantee it'll keep on working, and just because someone else can do it fine, doesn't mean you'll be able to. And yes, I know most people seem to be able to get away with hot-plugging their keyboards and / or mice, but be warned: you should power down your PC before doing so. USB, on the other hand, is designed to be hot-swappable - the power disconnects first and the controllers are specced to have built-in protection. Just an FYI
Well, KVM's don't seem to wreck computers, and most of them use PS/2 and essentially hot-swap. I've yet to hear of a working KVM frying the motherboard.
I think KVMs send a KB connected signal to each computer. I think that disconnecting the data line would be best, I'll try it when I can.
Uhh, dumb observation, does your mobo have the legacy header for a keyboard lock? Because if it does, then simply closing the circut between those two pins disables both ps/2 inputs. Check and see, I'll bet your mobo has it
about KVM's sending a "keyboard connected" message: That feature is called Keyboard Emulation (or Mouse Emulation), and my KVM doesn't have it. My KVM is just an A/B switch with no features or even power consumption. It works fine.
