Intentional, quirky setup to make computer ‘almost’ unusable – ideas?

I know this is an odd request, but I need a macro to make a screen/computer temporarily unusable (just for a bit). It should prevent all actions except for shutting down via a drained battery, but that's not a concern.

The screen must stay visible, with only F7-F12 (media/volume controls) and possibly scrolling or arrow keys active (if I’m feeling frisky :wink: ).

I’m thinking of a countdown macro that disables all other macros, including my "Cancel all macros." Every key but the ones mentioned should do nothing—top-right shutdown included. I have a few ideas but want to make sure I’m not missing anything.

How would you approach this?

Edit: The power button / shut down key (top-right) is not that important.

I'm not aware of a way (in software) to override the power button—at least for shutting down—as I believe that's a motherboard-level activity, not an OS-level activity.

-rob.

If not possible, then this one will also be active, or I will find a workaround. Maybe Karabiner or other cool tools for nerds.
Still, the power button is not the biggest consideration.

Just thinking out loud here now:

• Setting up a move mouse action within in a loop would lock the mouse in place. Something similar to what I demonstrate here: https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/lock-mouse-while-macro/26847

• Mouse clicks might be harder to avoid/swallow, but if the pointer is locked all the way to a corner or something it shouldn’t really matter.

• As for the keyboard, activating a macro (or group containing a macro (or macros)) with Hot Key Triggers for all keys and key/modifier combinations of the keyboard should swallow all keystrokes (the macro would do nothing but swallow all the keystrokes). Cumbersome to set up, but I believe it should be quite effective.

Are your mouse and keyboard wireless devices? If so, I suspect there's an easy way to disable them in a KM script.

Following this thread in the hope that the grand purpose is eventually revealed. :thinking:

Working theory: you're trying to convince your significant other that your current mac is broken and you need to spend £5k on a specced up M4 Max. If this is what you're doing, you're a genius! If not, then maybe I am.

PS: Why not just sign out of the user account?

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If all you want is the volume controls, then might you not be better off with an old iPod, or an iPhone that no longer contains a SIM ?

( If you’re hoping to fool or inconvenience someone else, of course, then I wonder if this is really the right forum ? )

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