I need for my computer to forget it was ever on a network...HELP, PLEASE!!!!

[Linda]

Hello,
My computer totally died after dealing with it's "lemon"
status for the past few years. I am an RN who is
disabled, and therefore could not afford to just go and
buy a new computer. Luckily, the office that my sister
works at was getting all new computers and the employees
were offered the old ones. My sister took hers home and
gave it to me. It is a Dell PC, approximately 3 years old
with Windows2000 Professional Edition installed.
Originally the computer was to be cleaned out for me, but
they never got around to it. I have been deleting and
uninstalling simple things. The problem, however, is that
it was on a network and it still thinks it is on it. Of
course, I am not connected to it in any way. Initially I
was learning to overcome some obstacles....like, I still
have to use her password and click on the name of the
network to boot up the computer. I was unable to get MS
Outlook to work. With the help of my Internet Provider,
we discovered that the "Accounts" option was not in the
tool menu as employees were not allowed to fool with
accounts. Basically, I do not have "Administrative
Rights" to make changes. I installed my own firewall and
subsequently, the computer locked up (apparently because
employees had no right to install random software). I got
a blue screen that told me that all the "Physical memory
had been dumped" and that I needed to contact the system
administrator or network support. I was unable to do
anything about this screen...rebooting did not take it
away. I called MS and was told that because this was a
Professional edition, it would cost me $245 to talk to
them about it. No one in my sister's office knew anything
about it. Their computers get programmed and worked on
from another state. I was told that the easiest thing
would be to reinstall Windows, but I do not have a copy.
One person suggested I turn off the computer and restart
it. As it was booting up, I was to continuously click
on "F8", that I could then restart in a "safe mode" and
perhaps I could do something then. Well, I did this and I
never saw the words "safe mode"......but, the computer
began to work. A few things I had done before the
computer locked up now seemed to be undone, but nothing I
could not handle. All seems to be working
now......HOWEVER, I am very reluctant to download or
install anything as I feel it will all lock up again.
From my understanding, I need to make a change by
uninstalling or doing something so it no longer thinks it
is on a network and no longer requires "administrative
rights" to do anything. Can anyone PLEASE help me???????
One other thing.....before the initial lockup, I put my
Printer's installation disc in the D drive to install it
and the computer ate the disc. I have been told by some
that this is impossible.......but, the disc is not in the
drive and no one removed it. I wondered if this was part
of the not having admin. rights and therefore being unable
to install my printer (HP Deskjet932C). Thanks in advance
to the person or people that have the knowledge to fix my
problem and are willing to take the time to help, Linda

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

Hi Linda

The company that gave/sold it to you should have transferred the CD-ROM to
you as part of thier agreement to the end-user license agreement. See if
they still have the CD.

If not, the certificate of authenticity (including the product key) for
Windows 2000 Pro should be attached to the side or base of the case. If so,
you're licensed and you just need to find someone who can lend you their CD.
You need to make sure you use your key.

In order to get all the updates you'll need, I suggest you order the free
security update CD from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/cd/order.mspx

This doesn't have all the latest updates, so you'll want to grab the latest
ones (you can select all updates from the last x months since the CD was
published).

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx

Also, make sure you have your firewall software on CD. You want to avoid
going online until you are well-patched and you have a firewall.

Before reinstalling, back up all of your data, e-mail, etc.

To reinstall, simply boot from the Win2K installation CD. You'll be offered
the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. You will want to remove all the existing partitions
and create a new one to install to. Of course, this will delete everything
on your computer.

Once setup has finished, use the update CD to do most of the updates.
Install the extra hotfixes you downloaded and then your firewall. Then
reinstall all your apps.

Hope this helps

Oli

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Oli is correct - by far the most desireable option is to wipe the hard
drive, install a fresh copy of windows, and configure this machine the way
you want it. However, if there are applications installed on this machine
that you use and need - eg. Microsoft Office, you will need to re-install
them as well. If you don't have this software ........

So you might want to call your sister and have her ask the IT department for
the local
Administrator password. If you get it, then at the logon screen select
"this computer" - you may have to click Options. Log on as Administrator.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP