Changing Computer Name

[DWhitley]

I’m setting up a network so two XP machines can share files and a
single printer. During the setup process I noticed that both
computer’s names are a bunch of gibberish, i.e. my laptop’s name is
gateway-rds5k7q.

I would like to change the names of both the laptop and desktop to
something less “cryptic”. My question is, would changing a computer’s
name be a radical enough of a change to make XP flip out and require a
reactivation?

Thanks,
DW

 

[Frank GoBell]

I'm setting up a network so two XP machines can share files and a
single printer. During the setup process I noticed that both
computer's names are a bunch of gibberish, i.e. my laptop's name is
gateway-rds5k7q.

I would like to change the names of both the laptop and desktop to
something less "cryptic". My question is, would changing a computer's
name be a radical enough of a change to make XP flip out and require a
reactivation?

Thanks,
DW

In a word, no. Activation is based on the hardware, and not the computer
name.

 

[John Bailo]

I’m setting up a network so two XP machines can share files and a
single printer. During the setup process I noticed that both
computer’s names are a bunch of gibberish, i.e. my laptop’s name is
gateway-rds5k7q.

I would like to change the names of both the laptop and desktop to
something less “cryptic”. My question is, would changing a computer’s
name be a radical enough of a change to make XP flip out and require a
reactivation?

Thanks,
DW

It might affect their ability to log into the domain, as the computer
passwords will have to be reset.

 

[NobodyMan]

It might affect their ability to log into the domain, as the computer
passwords will have to be reset.

Huh? Never give advice again if it's this cryptic AND wrong.

1. The post says nothing to indicate the boxes are on a Domain. It
sounds like a peer-to-peer connection of two computers to me.
Changing the computer names will NOT cause any problems with WPA.

2. Where do you get that computer passwords will need to be reset
when you join a computer to the domain? The Domain doesn't give a
flying f*ck what the local account passwords are on the computer in
question.

To the OP: ignore the advice from John. It's bad.