Hi,

I need to temporarily disable all possibilities to communicate
externally to/from a computer running this script.

I mean via cable based and wireless network, bluetooth and IRDA, all
kinds of dialup / GSM 3G cards etc.

Does it exist a centralized point in windows (all XP and vista editions)
to disable these modes of communications?

Preferably just in memory and if possible not by modifying registry...

Thanks a lot for hints on this issue....

regards



Jake

"Jake" <jake44@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OS4LH66zJHA.2656@xxxxxx

> Hi,
>
> I need to temporarily disable all possibilities to communicate externally
> to/from a computer running this script.
>
> I mean via cable based and wireless network, bluetooth and IRDA, all kinds
> of dialup / GSM 3G cards etc.
>
> Does it exist a centralized point in windows (all XP and vista editions)
> to disable these modes of communications?
>
> Preferably just in memory and if possible not by modifying registry...
>
> Thanks a lot for hints on this issue....
>
> regards
>
> Jake

You could use devcon.exe
(http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...240/devcon.exe)
do disable your network adapters.

Pegasus [MVP] wrote:

> You could use devcon.exe
> (http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...240/devcon.exe)
> do disable your network adapters.
>
>

Looks scary but interesting. Seems to be a lot of pitfalls to track
down and control *only* networking devices ....

regards jake

"Jake" <jake44@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:euGq5p7zJHA.1432@xxxxxx

> Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>

>> You could use devcon.exe
>> (http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...240/devcon.exe)
>> do disable your network adapters.

> Looks scary but interesting. Seems to be a lot of pitfalls to track down
> and control *only* networking devices ....
>
> regards jake

Turning off the server and/or workstation service might be another option.
By the way, I notice that you're multiposting your question. This is not
good as it leads to duplication of effort. Have a look here to see how to
properly crosspost a question: http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm.

> Turning off the server and/or workstation service might be another option.

I disable both of those on XP because they're
security risks. I'm pretty sure they have no
effect on external communication other than
to disable file sharing.

mayayana skrev:

>> Turning off the server and/or workstation service might be another option.

>
> I disable both of those on XP because they're
> security risks. I'm pretty sure they have no
> effect on external communication other than
> to disable file sharing.
>
>

Ok, thanks for the info.

Any other clever suggestions to easily disable / re-enable *all*
communications to/from a computer?

rgds

jake

Jake <jake44@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:O$yvcB#zJHA.1716@xxxxxx

> mayayana skrev:

> >> Turning off the server and/or workstation service might be another

option.

> >
> > I disable both of those on XP because they're
> > security risks. I'm pretty sure they have no
> > effect on external communication other than
> > to disable file sharing.
> >
> >

>
> Ok, thanks for the info.
>
> Any other clever suggestions to easily disable / re-enable *all*
> communications to/from a computer?
>

Sorry, but I don't know of anything other than
a controllable firewall or pulling the plug. I think
the only service I require to go online is DHCP. But
that's only on XP. (I'm on Win98 right now, which
of course doesn't have that service.) And it wouldn't
be necessary for all methods of online connection,
only for some highspeed connections.

"Jake" <jake44@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:O$yvcB%23zJHA.1716@xxxxxx

> mayayana skrev:

>>> Turning off the server and/or workstation service might be another
>>> option.

>>
>> I disable both of those on XP because they're
>> security risks. I'm pretty sure they have no
>> effect on external communication other than
>> to disable file sharing.
>>
>>

>
> Ok, thanks for the info.
>
> Any other clever suggestions to easily disable / re-enable *all*
> communications to/from a computer?

All communications? Be careful what you ask for. If you can still operate
the thing, you are, in effect, communicating with it, whether through the
monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

Perhaps if you explained what your actual purpose in asking the question is,
maybe someone would have the solution you are looking for.

/Al

"Al Dunbar" <alandrub@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:#2Vv8fD0JHA.1424@xxxxxx

>
> "Jake" <jake44@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:O$yvcB%23zJHA.1716@xxxxxx

>> mayayana skrev:

>>>> Turning off the server and/or workstation service might be another
>>>> option.
>>>
>>> I disable both of those on XP because they're
>>> security risks. I'm pretty sure they have no
>>> effect on external communication other than
>>> to disable file sharing.
>>>
>>>

>>
>> Ok, thanks for the info.
>>
>> Any other clever suggestions to easily disable / re-enable *all*
>> communications to/from a computer?

>
> All communications? Be careful what you ask for. If you can still operate
> the thing, you are, in effect, communicating with it, whether through the
> monitor, keyboard, or mouse.
>
> Perhaps if you explained what your actual purpose in asking the question
> is, maybe someone would have the solution you are looking for.

Al isn't exaggerating when he says "be careful". Lots of peripherals use
IRDA. And if by communications you actually meant networking, that doesn't
ensure anything - you haven't considered use of USB or cables that use a
COM/LPT port (the first one is quite likely for many home networking
environments).

Al Dunbar wrote:

> All communications? Be careful what you ask for. If you can still operate
> the thing, you are, in effect, communicating with it, whether through the
> monitor, keyboard, or mouse.
>
> Perhaps if you explained what your actual purpose in asking the question is,
> maybe someone would have the solution you are looking for.

Hi,

Actually I only meant those communication modes used to share
information *between* computers, and it can be shortened to non-wired
ones, such as wireless networking, bluetooth, 3G (mobile) cards and
maybe IRDA.

The needed situation is for pupils using *their own* notebook computers
during tests and exams. I hoped there was a 'soft spot' in windows
common for these communication types which could be easily switched on /
off. If so, I could have a small applet running at each computer
displaying a small unique visible 'always-stay-on-top' stamp-size window
confirming that this 'communication bottleneck' was actually switched off.

regards jake