Random thought...

NoMoreSilence · 01-19-2010, 06:45 AM

I was laying in bed last night and this thought just randomly came to me: I want to find a way of writing a program that will turn on my computer at 6:55 AM, auto-enter CTRL ALT DEL, then auto hit ENTER then auto enter (my password) then ENTER. Then, at 6:59, open windows Media Player, and at 7:00 AM, auto PLAY.
Since my stereo is hooked up to my computer, and my stereo has a timer to come on whenever I want, I can have that come on at the same time as the computer on the AUX channel. Booyah. Awesome alarm clock.

I wonder if that's possible. I'm sure it is, but how would I code it, and which system folder would I store the file in?

Cam42 · 01-19-2010, 07:14 AM

You don't even have to code it. First: Disable your password. Second:Tell your computer to sleep, and not power off. Third:use scheduled tasks to open up a playlist at x: xx, and tell windows to wake from sleep to perform the task.

**Sean.thomson** · 01-19-2010, 07:23 AM

I use my phone as an alarm clock. It allows you to use MP3s as ringers/alarms/ect. I was using this as an alarm for ahwile, but after a few mornings of almost having a heart attack I switched to this. What a better way to start the day than with the funk...

Skifree0813 · 01-19-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam42

You don't even have to code it. First: Disable your password. Second:Tell your computer to sleep, and not power off. Third:use scheduled tasks to open up a playlist at x: xx, and tell windows to wake from sleep to perform the task.

This. Most computers have some way or another to set it up, although I wouldn't do it if I couldn't have mine actually power on. Not a fan of never turning my computer off.

Kentl · 01-19-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean.thomson

I use my phone as an alarm clock. It allows you to use MP3s as ringers/alarms/ect. I was using this as an alarm for ahwile, but after a few mornings of almost having a heart attack I switched to this. What a better way to start the day than with the funk...

first of to the op, my dad does the timre thing with out code or anything.

2nd
sean, if the first song played on anything to wake me up, i will make an even louder noise, as you head a scream and breaking glass,

Bryan · 01-19-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoMoreSilence

I was laying in bed last night and this thought just randomly came to me: I want to find a way of writing a program that will turn on my computer at 6:55 AM, auto-enter CTRL ALT DEL, then auto hit ENTER then auto enter (my password) then ENTER. Then, at 6:59, open windows Media Player, and at 7:00 AM, auto PLAY.
Since my stereo is hooked up to my computer, and my stereo has a timer to come on whenever I want, I can have that come on at the same time as the computer on the AUX channel. Booyah. Awesome alarm clock.

I wonder if that's possible. I'm sure it is, but how would I code it, and which system folder would I store the file in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam42

You don't even have to code it. First: Disable your password. Second:Tell your computer to sleep, and not power off. Third:use scheduled tasks to open up a playlist at x: xx, and tell windows to wake from sleep to perform the task.

I wouldn't even bother turning the computer off or putting it to sleep.

Skifree0813 · 01-19-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

I wouldn't even bother turning the computer off or putting it to sleep.

Depending on how you're using it, that's not necessarily so great. Modern components are theoretically made with these things in mind, but there's still potential issues with heat, power, software, etc. But again, it depends who you are, how much you're using your computer, what you're using it for, and so on.

NoMoreSilence · 01-19-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam42

You don't even have to code it. First: Disable your password. Second:Tell your computer to sleep, and not power off. Third:use scheduled tasks to open up a playlist at x: xx, and tell windows to wake from sleep to perform the task.

First: HAHAHAHAHAHA no way is that ever happening. I am NOT disabling my password. That would give the other person in the house free and unlimited access to my account. That's not gonna happen. No way. Got too much valuable stuff on here, don't want them seeing or messing with it.

Second: Actually my computer's BIOS has an option to schedule automatic cold starts. So I don't have to have it sucking up power all night via sleep mode. That's why I can't wake from sleep mode. I have to keep my power consumption low, or else I have to pay the electric bill.

Third: Good idea on just scheduling the task for that one.

Cam42 · 01-19-2010, 02:09 PM

If someone has physical access to your computer, and wants to get in, they will get in. There are many freely available tools out there to crack passwords, or even just access files, all with just booting from a disc.

tht00 · 01-19-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam42

If someone has physical access to your computer, and wants to get in, they will get in. There are many freely available tools out there to crack passwords, or even just access files, all with just booting from a disc.

Indeed. I know of multiple ways around Windows passwords -- ways to gain access Windows itself, or simply gain access of the files by bypassing the passworded OS altogether.

If you want security, you'd do much better with some sort of file encryption or (more complicated) file system encryptions.

Passwords will keep non-savvy people out, but your data is probably a whole lot less secure than you think if you only have a password on your Windows account.

Cam42 · 01-19-2010, 03:57 PM

Might I recommend TrueCrypt?

NoMoreSilence · 01-19-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tht00

If you want security, you'd do much better with some sort of file encryption or (more complicated) file system encryptions.

Passwords will keep non-savvy people out, but your data is probably a whole lot less secure than you think if you only have a password on your Windows account.

Yes, non-savvy people like a nosy father who likes to go through all of your things for no other reason than to "keep an eye on what you're doing." And then go and tell everybody what you have on your computer. I mean, I don't have anything bad to hide, but it's nobody's business what I type into my personal journals, or whatever else...

I did recently acquire Encrypt Files, a nifty little file-encryption tool that requires a password to decrypt a file.

I'm trying to find a decent keylogger program that I like, that records websites visited, instant message conversations, and takes screenshots every minute, as well as the standard task of recording every keystroke. I'm going to put it on the "Visitor" account I set up on my computer, because though I blocked access to program and system files, as well as blocked access to all programs except Opera, Firefox, Google Chrome, Windows Media Player, Avast Antivirus, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, AIM, and Windows Live Messenger, I want to see everything somebody is doing when they use that account. I'm also trying to find/write a program that will use my webcam to take--and save--a picture every minute or every other minute, so I can also see exactly who is sitting at my computer. But I have no clue where to start with that one. I don't even have the software for the webcam anymore... grrr... hmmm...

Cam42 · 01-19-2010, 09:31 PM

2 Antivirus programs at once? Seriously, ditch one.

Or better, ditch both and go with Microsoft Security Essentials.

bobthecockroach · 01-19-2010, 09:44 PM

To give the programmer's perspective:

As far as I know, it can't be done. Windows is extremely protective of Ctrl+Alt+Delete. For example, you cannot make a program that uses Ctrl+Alt+Delete as a keyboard shortcut. Windows will intercept it before it ever reaches your program. I would imagine the same thing applies in trying to send Ctrl+Alt+Deletes to Windows from other software. If I was on a Windows machine, I would test it, but it stands to reason.

I believe however, if you lock your computer rather than putting it to sleep, you can still run programs in the background, so a scheduled task might still work. I know I can lock my computer at work while I go to lunch and still have it downloading files in the background. It stands to reason a scheduled task to launch Windows Media Player would still work, but again I can't test it at the moment. And, if it does, you'll still have password protection.

As for power consumption, if you don't have any programs running and you turn off your monitor (no reason to have it on when you aren't at the computer anyway), then I find it very, VERY hard to imagine that it will make a noticeable difference on your energy bill.

As for security in general, don't go overboard. Never forget http://xkcd.com/538/.