Securing Windows '98

You can set a power on password in BIOS, which will not allow the computer to boot unless the proper password is entered. The only way to defeat the PO Password is to remove the case, and re-set a jumper to clear it. If your son's computer is a laptop, I don't think this is a problem, if it is a tower or desktop, a simple piece of anti-tamper tape would show if the case had been opened.

You can also set a password for access to the BIOS, this would prevent anyone from getting in and maliciously changing settings to prevent usage of the computer...

( the old... well, if you can't use it, I don't want anyone else to either. )

If you are familiar with the bios, also disable floppy boot. This will prevent anyone from booting to a disk which conceivably could be used to "flash" the bios, and override any passwords.

But simply, yes, with two passwords ( they can be the same if you like ), and one change to the bios settings, you can prevent an unwanted user from starting windows 98.

email me if you need help negotiating the Bios settings to change the settings to disable booting from A, but if you find the boot sequence area in bios, change it from A,C,..( etc ) to C,A,..( etc ). The only time you would need to change it back is if the computer needed service.

to erease a BIOS password you dont have to open up the box if you hold down the end key while you start the computer you reset the bios therfore ereasing any password that was installed.
but if you use a laptop most laptop have a utility to assign a password on the HDD which will not let you boot the computer without the password (but watch out if you forget this password ther is no way around since this password is of kind of access to the HDD) i know toshiba laptops allways come with such a utility and it even gives you the option to create a fllopy that you can use ones to restore the password if you forget it.
there is no other way of protecting your computer in win 9x that i know of but try searching for a program that works on the partition level of the HDD which lets you set a password to access the Hard Drive.