Anyway Around Reloading OS?

[Guest]

Finally bought a new computer (SONY VAIO VGN-FE550G; MS WIN XP Media Center,
Version 5.1, Build 2600.xpsp.50622-1524: Service Pack 2).

But... for whatever unconscious reason at the time, I let the computer store
do the initial new user set-up. The tech didn't ask (my preferences), and
just did what he did.

So what I had is what I don't want, my OS named not with my preference. It
may mean nothing to anyone else, but I have my reasons, so... I'd like to
know if there is anyway around not having to reload the OS to rename with my
preference.

Example:
"This product is licensed under the terms of the end-user license agreement
to: "X X X X"; "C:/Documents and Settings/X X X X/..."

I want it to read: "This product is licensed under the terms of the end-user
license agreement to: "Y Y Y Y"; "C:/Documents and Settings/Y Y Y Y/... (and
the folder too).

Yesterday, the following was done by the tech at the computer store (w/o
backup! as insisted):
[MS] How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=310441

This did change "end-user license agreement from: "X X X X" to "Y Y Y Y" as
desired (and “registered ownerâ€, but... "C:/Documents and Settings/X X X
X/..." is still "X X X X". (Folder inclusive.)

If I have to reload the OS, SONY is not generous enough to include the CD's.
How much of a hassle will this be for me to go through this process? Would I
need to reload Office too? Will I lose everything I've set-up on the new
computer for the last 3-wks? Or, can it be saved and
reloaded/reinstalled/imported... afterwards? How?

Thanks!

 

[Gordon]

Yesterday, the following was done by the tech at the computer store
(w/o backup! as insisted):
[MS] How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install
Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=310441

This did change "end-user license agreement from: "X X X X" to "Y Y Y
Y" as desired (and "registered owner", but... "C:/Documents and
Settings/X X X X/..." is still "X X X X". (Folder inclusive.)

If I have to reload the OS, SONY is not generous enough to include
the CD's. How much of a hassle will this be for me to go through this
process? Would I need to reload Office too? Will I lose everything
I've set-up on the new computer for the last 3-wks? Or, can it be
saved and reloaded/reinstalled/imported... afterwards? How?

Thanks!

Just create a New user in your name. easy.
(Control Panel-Users.....)

 

[Kevin]

Make the new account admin so you can delete the old account as well.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Finally bought a new computer (SONY VAIO VGN-FE550G; MS WIN XP Media Center,
Version 5.1, Build 2600.xpsp.50622-1524: Service Pack 2).

But... for whatever unconscious reason at the time, I let the computer store
do the initial new user set-up. The tech didn't ask (my preferences), and
just did what he did.

So what I had is what I don't want, my OS named not with my preference. It
may mean nothing to anyone else, but I have my reasons, so... I'd like to
know if there is anyway around not having to reload the OS to rename with my
preference.

Example:
"This product is licensed under the terms of the end-user license agreement
to: "X X X X"; "C:/Documents and Settings/X X X X/..."

I want it to read: "This product is licensed under the terms of the end-user
license agreement to: "Y Y Y Y"; "C:/Documents and Settings/Y Y Y Y/... (and
the folder too).

Yesterday, the following was done by the tech at the computer store (w/o
backup! as insisted):
[MS] How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=310441

This did change "end-user license agreement from: "X X X X" to "Y Y Y Y" as
desired (and “registered ownerâ€, but... "C:/Documents and Settings/X X X
X/..." is still "X X X X". (Folder inclusive.)

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 user profile folders (C:\Documents and Settings\Username)
_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/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151

If I have to reload the OS, SONY is not generous enough to include the CD's.
How much of a hassle will this be for me to go through this process?

Quite a large hassle, I should think; it would be several hours of
work. And completely unnecessary, in this case.

Would I
need to reload Office too?

Certainly. And every other application.

Will I lose everything I've set-up on the new
computer for the last 3-wks?

If you don't back up the data, yes.

Or, can it be saved and
reloaded/reinstalled/imported... afterwards? How?

Some settings and all data can be saved and transferred to the new
installation.

HOW TO Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard By Using the Windows
XP CD-ROM
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;306186

HOW TO Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard with a Wizard Disk in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306187


--

Bruce Chambers

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