Second-hand computer purchase and license...

I have a computer that was bought second-hand that has a legitimate Windows
XP Home Edition on it. However, although I've reset the logon for myself and
wiped the HD, it is still putting stuff in c:\documents and settings\Suzanne
Milliken which is the name of the original owner... can I change this, or
will it cock up all the settings that depend on it?

Also, now that I own the computer, am I considered the legitimate owner of
the XP license or do I have to purchase a separate license of some sort to
make it "mine", as it were? If this helps, have no trouble downloading all
the necessary updates for the computer...

Thanks in advance!

C.

Carmen,

If you have the CD AND Product Key/Certificate of Authenticity, YOU are the
legal owner of the software license!

Something that you stated doesn't compute. <g> If you "wiped the HDD" then
you wouldn't see anyone's name at all.

Best recommendation in a case where you are getting a second-hand system is
to indeed wipe the HDD and do a clean install of the OS and any
applications. That will protect you in case there are any viruses or spyware
lurking on the machine. Although you can change the folder and remove the
prior user's info, I highly recommend the clean install approach.

--

Regards,
Len Segal, MCP
Microsoft - MVP
--------------
My reply address is intentionally wrong to reduce SPAM Email.
NOTE: We do not respond to unsolicited Email support questions,
please post questions in newsgroup.


"Carmen Gauvin-O'Donnell" <seegod1@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
news:Ob1IHIeiEHA.2812@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>I have a computer that was bought second-hand that has a legitimate Windows
> XP Home Edition on it. However, although I've reset the logon for myself
> and
> wiped the HD, it is still putting stuff in c:\documents and
> settings\Suzanne
> Milliken which is the name of the original owner... can I change this, or
> will it cock up all the settings that depend on it?
>
> Also, now that I own the computer, am I considered the legitimate owner of
> the XP license or do I have to purchase a separate license of some sort to
> make it "mine", as it were? If this helps, have no trouble downloading all
> the necessary updates for the computer...
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> C.
>
>

Hello,

I think it's best for you to erase all partitions and then reinstall XP, if
you have the original CD or the key or a recovery CD you can clean up the pc
and then why not install SP2 ? It's already have all the security updates...

Is that an OEM version or a Retail ? Either way you can reinstall the system
and then activate and register windows

"Carmen Gauvin-O'Donnell" <seegod1@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
news:Ob1IHIeiEHA.2812@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>I have a computer that was bought second-hand that has a legitimate Windows
> XP Home Edition on it. However, although I've reset the logon for myself
> and
> wiped the HD, it is still putting stuff in c:\documents and
> settings\Suzanne
> Milliken which is the name of the original owner... can I change this, or
> will it cock up all the settings that depend on it?
>
> Also, now that I own the computer, am I considered the legitimate owner of
> the XP license or do I have to purchase a separate license of some sort to
> make it "mine", as it were? If this helps, have no trouble downloading all
> the necessary updates for the computer...
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> C.
>
>

Greetings --

With second-hand computers, particularly if acquired from
strangers, your wisest course of action would probably be to format
the hard drives and start fresh. You don't want to get in trouble
because the original owner may have filled the hard drive with kiddie
porn, or have problems because the original owner downloaded/installed
viruses or other malware. Some unscrupulous people could even sell a
used computer preconfigured with the necessary key-loggers and spyware
to collect your personal information for future use.

However, to fix the "Registered to" information for WinNT/2K/XP,
you can use Start > Run > Regedit.exe to edit:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\RegisteredOwner

and:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current
Version\RegisteredOrganization

How this will affect the name displayed in previously installed
applications will vary depending upon each individual program; some
read the registered owner information dynamically, while others read
it only during installation.

The C:\Documents and Settings\Username folders _cannot_ be
renamed, even if the associated user account has been. So, your best
course of action would be to log on using the built-in Administrator
account, create a new user account, with the username desired. You
can then delete the old user account(s).

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;811151


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH


"Carmen Gauvin-O'Donnell" <seegod1@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
news:Ob1IHIeiEHA.2812@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>I have a computer that was bought second-hand that has a legitimate
>Windows
> XP Home Edition on it. However, although I've reset the logon for
> myself and
> wiped the HD, it is still putting stuff in c:\documents and
> settings\Suzanne
> Milliken which is the name of the original owner... can I change
> this, or
> will it cock up all the settings that depend on it?
>
> Also, now that I own the computer, am I considered the legitimate
> owner of
> the XP license or do I have to purchase a separate license of some
> sort to
> make it "mine", as it were? If this helps, have no trouble
> downloading all
> the necessary updates for the computer...
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> C.
>
>