Shared computer & password

[doodah]

This might be clutching at straws.

I work in a lab and our department possesses several machines that other groups use and share. In an ideal world when someone comes from another group; they sign in the log book and work away, this means we know who has used it and call bill appropriately. The problem is the others take the mick and will often use the machine(s) without signing in, claim they only need it once but use it multiple times, share the password, not clean up and so on.

The nano drop has a password (nanodrop - ingenious!) but everyone knows it. I suggested generating a new password weekly (daily would be great but probably too fiddly). Whilst not perfect it might limit the flagrant usage and get people to follow protocols a little more. The machine is a non-networked standalone with XP. Can all of this be done through software rather than me do it manually, a simple solution would be great in case I am away and my colleagues have to do it on their own. Is it even a good idea? Is there a better solution?

To finish, can a pop message appear when a user is logging off to remind them to clean the machine etc? Cheers

 

[Meekal]

Can every user not be set up with a unique ID? That way they are responsible for their own area on the machine?

 

[doodah]

That would be fine if it were e.g. just users in our group or a small number more but we can have all sorts of people using it. If we let other groups have their own/control of their own passwords, same thing will happen.

 

[doodah]

Although the machine in question isn't networked, it won't be difficult to add a wireless card. Is there software that can manage Windows login, generate a new password every week at e.g. Monday 9am and then email the new password to the appropriate people?