How can you put advanced account security on windows 2000?

They Public Access Computing Security Tool may work for you. It’s the ancestor of Windows SteadyState, which works with XP and later

http://www.webjunction.org/pc-protection/articles/content/432194

Public Access Computing Security Tool
Providing public access computers often involves time spent keeping the computers functioning properly. Without a security system in place, users may make both intentional and unintentional changes to the computers. These changes can include changing the desktop background, saving files, installing new software, or deleting necessary operating system files.

The Public Access Computing Security Tool is a free application designed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to secure your public access computers. The Security Tool is an adaptation of the security system currently in use on tens of thousands of computers granted to public libraries across the country. This tool is now available for you to use on any non-Gates Windows 2000 or XP Professional computer. Using the Security Tool, you can create secure public profiles on your computers that restrict users from making changes to the computer while allowing access to the resources they need.

What the user sees
Once the Security Tool is installed, when you log on as a public user you see a standard Windows desktop with icons for the chosen programs. Open My Computer and the hard drive is hidden and unavailable. Click on the Start Menu and you are missing Run, Settings (access to Control Panel and Printers), Search and most programs. Open My Network Places and you are unable to browse to other computers on the network.

Once you log off, temporary Internet files, saved and downloaded files, and additions to the History and Favorites folders, are all deleted.

You control it
Using your administrative account, you can log on to the computer with no restrictions. You can perform your normal tasks such as updating your antivirus program or installing new software.

As an administrator, you can use the Public Profile Manager program to remove the security restrictions and make any changes to the public profiles. You can also use the Manager to create a backup of your profile settings to transfer to your other computers, making it quick and easy to set up identical public access computers.

Deep freeze. http://www.faronics.com/en/Products/DeepFreeze/DeepFreezeCorporate.aspx

Deep freeze looks amazing, but i dont think there is a budget for this project. jaytkay, do you know of anywhere I can download the public access security tool? the link appears to be broken on the Webjunction site…

Isn’t Deep Freeze $40/license. I agree with @jaytkay, you don’t need a management console to control 3 computers. There may be an option for persistent storage where the students can save files for later use.

@nicky I can’t find Public Access Computing Security Tool either. Dang. I apologize for not checking that. And I can’t Google up a copy either.

Other thoughts;

—Find the old computers in parents/neighors basements, either for the computer itself or just an XP license.

—Linux

—Techsoup.org ”offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for technology needs by providing free information, resources, and support. In addition to online information and resources, we offer a product philanthropy service called TechSoup Stock. Here, nonprofits can access donated and discounted technology products, generously provided by corporate and nonprofit technology partners.”

—Microsoft Software Donation Programs includes XP for $8.00US and tons of other stuff.
”Microsoft is pleased to partner with TechSoup Stock to donate a wide variety of software products to nonprofit organizations and public libraries. Hundreds of professional and enterprise Microsoft products are available. TechSoup Stock charges only a small administrative fee, about 4% of the product’s retail value.”
http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Microsoft&Page=1

i might have access to a few licenses, i was hesitant on this tho because the computers are already quite slow running 2000 (i didnt want them to implode into a quantum singularity hehe.) But it appears it may be the only way… Ill check on the XP donation program as well. Thanks a lot!

I would check the RAM and recommend at least 512MB if you install XP.