change computer name

[bry25_uk]

I have bought a second hand laptop, but the computers "identity" is in the
previous owners name. The only name I can change is the user. How can i
change the ACTUAL identity of the computer. For example, in task manager, it
displays a name and on my main computer(w/less networked) it show the
connection owner of the laptop as this name too. these are what i'd like to
change.
ps i'm using XP home ed all updated.
thanks
Bryan

 

[Elmo]

I have bought a second hand laptop, but the computers "identity" is in the
previous owner's name. The only name I can change is the user. How can I
change the ACTUAL identity of the computer? For example, in task manager, it
displays a name and on my main computer (w/less networked) it shows the
connection owner of the laptop as this name too. These are what I'd like to
change.
ps I'm using XP home, all updated.
thanks
Bryan

Open System Properties, "Computer Name" tab, "Change" button.

 

[Gordon]

I have bought a second hand laptop, but the computers "identity" is in the
previous owners name. The only name I can change is the user. How can i
change the ACTUAL identity of the computer. For example, in task manager,
it displays a name and on my main computer(w/less networked) it show the
connection owner of the laptop as this name too. these are what i'd like
to change.
ps i'm using XP home ed all updated.
thanks
Bryan

Answered in windowsxp.customize....please CROSS post in future instead of
MULTI posting...

 

[JS]

Click: Start/Control Panel/System Icon
In the 'System Properties' windows click on the 'Computer Name'
Then click on the 'Change' button.

Also from Kelly's Korner
Change Computer Name (Line 109)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

MS Knowledge Base article:
How to change a computer name, join a domain, and add a computer description
in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295017

JS

 

[bry25_uk]

thanks for all your help, i have already done that, but it still shows as a
different name elsewhere. ie , taskmanager, and registered user. The computer
name shows what i want but anything else is still refered to as the previous
owner.
In task manager under "user name" is where it shows his name.
regards
Bryan

 

[Elmo]

Thanks for all your help, I have already done that but it still shows as a
different name elsewhere. ie, taskmanager, and registered user. The computer
name shows what I want but anything else is still referred to as the previous
owner.
In task manager under "user name" is where it shows his name.
regards
Bryan

Run regedit, press Home key, F3 key, type in the name you want to find,
change all occurrences to the preferred name.

BUT, if you change a pathname to a folder that doesn't exist, you could
really be in trouble. Make a registry backup and a system restore point
before trying this one.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 1/2/2008 12:27 PM, and on a whim, bry25_uk pounded
out on the keyboard:

thanks for all your help, i have already done that, but it still shows as a
different name elsewhere. ie , taskmanager, and registered user. The computer
name shows what i want but anything else is still refered to as the previous
owner.
In task manager under "user name" is where it shows his name.
regards
Bryan

Hi Bryan,

Try this:
http://www.download.com/XP-Registered-Name-Changer/3000-2094_4-10586823.html

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[- Bobb -]

So it's NOT COMPUTER NAME you want to change ...
it is USER NAME:




Start-Control Panel - user accounts - Change - and change previous user's
name from"old name " to "new name".

 

[Plato]

I have bought a second hand laptop, but the computers "identity" is in the

Anytime you get a used PC one "should" fdisk/format/reinstall the OS you
want to totally fresh.

 

[- Bobb -]

Anytime you get a used PC one "should" fdisk/format/reinstall the OS you
want to totally fresh.

I suspect original poster had no restore CD/OS, so just wanted to purge
the first user's files.