Computer Name can not be changed

[Guest]

Hello

By installing Windows XP on my laptop it suggested to use the serial number
of the machine as the Full Computer Name (to use in a workgroup).

Afterwards, I wanted to change this in a more easy name, like PC2.

I tried this in two ways.

First: Via System Properties (in control panel)
After a reboot the name seemed to be changed.
But while testing it in the Network it keeps displaying the serial number
instead of "PC2"

Secondly: I ran the Network Setup Wizard.
The Wizard said the current name is the s/n.
(even when System Properties display "PC2")
So, I changed it again.
After a reboot, notting happened, notting changed.

How can I solve this problem.

Thanks in advance.

Arathorn

 

[Malke]

Hello

By installing Windows XP on my laptop it suggested to use the serial number
of the machine as the Full Computer Name (to use in a workgroup).

Afterwards, I wanted to change this in a more easy name, like PC2.

I tried this in two ways.

First: Via System Properties (in control panel)
After a reboot the name seemed to be changed.
But while testing it in the Network it keeps displaying the serial number
instead of "PC2"

Secondly: I ran the Network Setup Wizard.
The Wizard said the current name is the s/n.
(even when System Properties display "PC2")
So, I changed it again.
After a reboot, notting happened, notting changed.

Do you have some sort of third-party security software running that
would prevent changes to the registry? Spybot, Ad-aware, and other
antispyware programs often have this as do some antivirus/security suites.

If the above isn't applicable, was the machine ever used in a domain? If
yes, you need to log in as local Administrator to make this change and
while there, change the membership from the domain to Workgroup.


Malke

 

[Guest]

I have Norton Internet Security running.
I used your information as a hint and I disabled everything
(antivirus,firewall, etc.)
Then I tried everything again.
But nothing changed...

 

[Malke]

I have Norton Internet Security running.
I used your information as a hint and I disabled everything
(antivirus,firewall, etc.)
Then I tried everything again.
But nothing changed...

What about other security software that might prevent changes? And what
about answers to the domain or workgroup question? You need to give us a
bit more information about your machine to work with.


Malke

 

[Guest]

I have running:
Norton Internet Security 2005 with Norton Antivirus 2005
Windows Defender version 1.1.1593.0
I have no other security software running.

I never used this machine in a domain.
(I even wouldn't know how to...)

I just installed this computer a few days ago, with windows xp home edition
(preloaded oem version) and the programs above.
I use (just) one Windows-account with admin rights.
Then I just joined my home workgroup.

Thank you for helping!

 

[Malke]

I have running:
Norton Internet Security 2005 with Norton Antivirus 2005
Windows Defender version 1.1.1593.0
I have no other security software running.

I never used this machine in a domain.
(I even wouldn't know how to...)

I just installed this computer a few days ago, with windows xp home edition
(preloaded oem version) and the programs above.
I use (just) one Windows-account with admin rights.
Then I just joined my home workgroup.

Thank you for helping!

OK, we're slowly getting somewhere. This is the way to change the
computer name, which you seem to have done:

Control Panel>System>Computer Name tab. Change the name to whatever you
want (within reason) and reboot. Your computer is now named whatever you
chose.

What does this mean exactly?

"But while testing it in the Network it keeps displaying the serial
number instead of "PC2" "

Tested it "in the Network" how? What are you actually trying to do?


Malke

 

[Guest]

When I browse "My Network Places", it keeps displaying the old computers
name. (which in my case is a difficult, long, serial number)
Allthough I changed it the way you said. (I also tried to use the wizard,
but that didn't change it.)

So, when I go to Control Panel>System>Computer Name tab, it displays the new
name, the name I chose (PC2)...
But when I go to "My Network Places", on this machine or another in the
workgroup, it keeps displaying the old difficult name.
And it isn't just a "display name" or a "description" or anything. It is
really the adress that is used to browse.
(\\<long difficult serial number>\SharedDocs\...)

So basically, what I try to do is creating a very simple network (workgroup)
with easy names, pc1, pc2, pc3, ... for file and printer sharing, etc.
Nothing more, nothing less

 

[Malke]

When I browse "My Network Places", it keeps displaying the old computers
name. (which in my case is a difficult, long, serial number)
Allthough I changed it the way you said. (I also tried to use the wizard,
but that didn't change it.)

So, when I go to Control Panel>System>Computer Name tab, it displays the new
name, the name I chose (PC2)...
But when I go to "My Network Places", on this machine or another in the
workgroup, it keeps displaying the old difficult name.
And it isn't just a "display name" or a "description" or anything. It is
really the adress that is used to browse.
(\\<long difficult serial number>\SharedDocs\...)

So basically, what I try to do is creating a very simple network (workgroup)
with easy names, pc1, pc2, pc3, ... for file and printer sharing, etc.
Nothing more, nothing less

You've already changed the name. You don't need to do anything more.
Network Places - a notoriously buggy piece of work - will show old
entries for a while. Eventually they'll go away. Or just right-click on
the icon for the wrongly named computer share and delete it. If you have
a lot of network shares, a better solution instead of using Network
Places is to:

1. Control Panel>Display>Desktop>Customize - remove Network Places from
the Desktop.
2. On the Desktop, create a new folder cleverly called something like
"Network".
3. Open My Computer and use Search>For Computers on the Network. Find
the shares you want to access. Right-click/drag into the new Network
folder. When you release the right mouse button, choose "Create Shortcut".


Malke