Windows XP Name in register

[Guest]

I purchased a used computer and have changed the registered name of the
computer but the old owners name appears in all paths, please tell me how to
change this to my name. this is really a new computer that had been returned
to Office Depot works great but the name in path traces is annoying

Thanks

 

[null]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'path traces'. Please explain.

 

[Guest]

for example: C://name I want changed to mine/my documents/data

former owners name appears in a all sequences because she set up the
computer. I have been able to change the computers name but not the
associations in the registry??

Thank you for any help you can provide

 

[David Sherman]

What happens if you create a new user and log in with that name?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I purchased a used computer and have changed the registered name of the
computer but the old owners name appears in all paths, please tell me how to
change this to my name. this is really a new computer that had been returned
to Office Depot works great but the name in path traces is annoying

Thanks

With second-hand computers, especially if acquired from strangers
but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or friend, your wisest
course of action would definitely 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.

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 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



--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

That works thanks now I will delete the old profile

 

[Guest]

Very helpful thanks much will do as advised, if office depot is being honest
with me they sold the computer to a little old lady in an RV (sounds like a
new twist on an old story) she thought wireless meant you could access the
internet anywhere. Story goes she was mad as all heck when she and hobby
drove along and could not get on the internet. computer was returned next
day.

they gave me 350 off and all warenties are in effect so maybe it is a good
deal but will reformat and start over