Using a key for a computer?

[KillaKilla]

In looking at the Sun server we have sitting unused at my school I noticed that there was no power button, but what apeared to be a switch. Upon further inspection it was alas a key. A physical key, like to a door. It had 4 settings, on, off, one with an odd symbol like ~ but sharper, and one that apeared to be on without networking.

I was wondering: Is there something like this available for PCs? Not a case lock, but a physical key to start the computer. One that doesn't require opening the case to lock it in 'off'.

 

[Matthias99]

Computers used to regularly include a lock on the case that would cut off the keyboard/mouse input (and usually also the front panel power/reset switches). It's not a common feature anymore, probably because it added to the price and wasn't used very often.

 

[bluemax]

There's software that'll lock off internet access to a certain amount of time and/or certain hours of the day. Heck, it can lock access to the computer/network entirely.

Besides Novell Netware, I can't think of any more... "home-based" software apps that'll do the same, but I know they exist.

 

[KillaKilla]

I mean a physical key, not a software app. Those can be gotten by, whereass a nerd will have a hard time getting it to start without leaving traces, letting me know that they were on. IE: they would have to break the lock to do so.

 

[n0cmonkey]

All of those suns use the same key.

One of the extra options is a debugging option.

I don't know the answer to your question though.

 

[Czar]

thinkgeek.com

they have an iris scanner and everything