Is there anyway to stop people using my computer in my absence as I find that every time I turn my back the never ending stream of visitors that land here jump on my computer, and it is not only my tool for earning my income I also have my diary, letters and heaps of personal stuff. I don't mind my flatmate using it to view surf cams so can I do something that will only bring up the surf cam web site and nothing else? Thanks aussie

Put a password in you bios, so that when you boot it will ask for the password. You get 3 chances to input the correct password before it shuts down. Lessons learnt the hard way are not easily forgotten.

Another option would be a password protected screen saver.

Or just password-protect your user account and lock your workstation whenever you're away. Disable any guest accounts or other accounts you don't use.

Guest accounts in Win98? Computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps only weigh 1 1/2 tons. - Popular Mechanics, 1949

Unfortunately in windows98 any attempts to keep others out cause more inconvenience to the legitimate user(s) than those it is meant to stop. Your best bet is to stand up and let these people know how you feel about them using your computer. You might even have a map prepared to direct them to the local library.

The only practical way to protect a Win98 system is to use a system or power-on password. Windows 98 password can be gotten around very easily by rebooting the PC. Rule #1: Good Computers don't go down. Rule #2: There is no such thing as a good computer.