change user name

[Guest]

I have bought a nearly new notebook from a friend.
I have changed the administrator details to my name and deleted the old user.

In system information, the details of the old user are still present, and
some files that I save have her name on them.

Is there a way I can change the relevant settings without having to
re-install xp?

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "batterme" <[email protected]>

| I have bought a nearly new notebook from a friend.
| I have changed the administrator details to my name and deleted the old user.
|
| In system information, the details of the old user are still present, and
| some files that I save have her name on them.
|
| Is there a way I can change the relevant settings without having to
| re-install xp?


If you receive a used computer, the best advice is to always wipe the computer of all data
and re-install the OS from scratch.

 

[Galen]

In batterme had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I have bought a nearly new notebook from a friend.
I have changed the administrator details to my name and deleted the
old user.

In system information, the details of the old user are still present,
and some files that I save have her name on them.

Is there a way I can change the relevant settings without having to
re-install xp?

You could but... You really should reformat the computer.

You are now legally accountable for anything on said PC and you're stuck
with any malware that might be on the PC.

However...

How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Windows ... :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310441

See also:

Registry Editing Warning:
http://kgiii.info/windows/all/general/regedit_warn.html

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/ http://kgiii.info/

"Chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem, and
its solution is its own reward." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[Guest]

Job done- thank you very much!!

I am going to sell my now obsolete notebook- can you recommend a freeware
program to delete sensitive files before I pass it onto a new owner?

Thanks again.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have bought a nearly new notebook from a friend.
I have changed the administrator details to my name and deleted the old user.

In system information, the details of the old user are still present, and
some files that I save have her name on them.

Is there a way I can change the relevant settings without having to
re-install xp?

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.

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

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Job done- thank you very much!!

I am going to sell my now obsolete notebook- can you recommend a freeware
program to delete sensitive files before I pass it onto a new owner?

To protect your personal information and data from any future users
of average skills, you should, at the very least, format the hard drive
and reinstall only the OS and those applications whose licenses are to
be included in the sale/transfer. If you wish to do a more thorough job
of protecting your personal data, WipeDrive 2.2.1
(http://www.accessdata.com/Product07_Overview.htm?ProductNum=07) meets
U.S. DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified hard
drives, and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS and
applications.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell