buying a used computer

[Guest]

I'm buying a used computer with Windows XP already installed. Can I regester
Windows in my name now or will it have to stay with the original owner? If I
can change it how would I do this??

Tom

 

[Road Runner]

Hey there ... Will you also be getting with this used computer a windows xp
cd disc ?? Or is this computer an brand name one like , IBM , HP or DELL ??

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

There is no need or way to change the registration.

However you may want to change the information on the computer.
The easiest way is to create a new account and copy the data:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

But the best way is to start over with a Clean Installation:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm
This way you get rid of all known and unknown garbage and you know the exact
condition of the computer.

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

As for who the OS is registered to, not sure. I do know you can change the
Registered Owner and Registered Organization names via the Registry. In the
Registry go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion. Edit the register Owner and Registered Organization to
what you want.

Jeff

PS. do be careful when you are in the registry, if you edit or delete the
wrong key you can cause your computer to either not boot up or have system
problems. Just change those two keys only.

 

[Papa]

Registration doesn't mean much. The important thing is, hopefully you
received the Windows XP CD disk and Product Key along with the computer.

Also, as another poster said, doing a clean install will eliminate a lot of
leftover garbage and problems that may exist on the computer now.

 

[Plato]

I'm buying a used computer with Windows XP already installed. Can I regester
Windows in my name now or will it have to stay with the original owner? If I
can change it how would I do this??

Best to wipe the drive and put XP on with your own cd and number.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Registration doesn't mean much. The important thing is,
hopefully you
received the Windows XP CD disk and Product Key along with the
computer.
Also, as another poster said, doing a clean install will
eliminate a
lot of leftover garbage and problems that may exist on the
computer
now.

I agree. This is almost the only time I recommend doing this, for
two reasons:

1. You have no idea how the computer has been maintained, what
has been installed incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and
spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody
else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc.,
and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.

2. You have no real investment in what's there. It's someone
else's setp, configuration choices, etc., so there's little to
lose by starting over and reinstalling.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Registration doesn't mean much. The important thing is, hopefully you
received the Windows XP CD disk and Product Key along with the computer.

Also, as another poster said, doing a clean install will eliminate a lot of
leftover garbage and problems that may exist on the computer now.

All that registration does when you set out to Activate is make a nice
record for the marketing people. It is not needed; don't bother. But a
format and reinstall is a good idea. Have the full SP2 CD to hand to
run as soon as the install is complete. You will then need to activate
again. Wait a few days (you have 30) to get everything settled down,
then get on the Net, go to
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate Windows
and Activate on the net, which will go through in 20 seconds or so