Disentangling network set up

[paoloricardo]

A friend was given a laptop which had previously been connected to a
local network. It still has network domains and the previous user's
login. We cannot access the 'My Documents' folder since the setup
assumes we must be connected.

Is there any way I can 'un-network' the various settings and establish
the laptop as a standalone, unconnected PC?

I am not a networking expert and did not want to change/delete
anything for fear of messing things up.

 

[sgopus]

get a new copy of XP, make sure you have all the drivers needed for the
hardware, wipe the previous install and install new.

 

[paoloricardo]

get a new copy of XP, make sure you have all the drivers needed for the
hardware, wipe the previous install and install new.

Is that the only way to do it?

 

[Malke]

Is that the only way to do it?

Basically, yes. The laptop was a domain member. There will be many
restrictive settings, etc. that will be difficult, if not impossible, to
undo. Your friend should do this the right way.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke

 

[paoloricardo]

Basically, yes. The laptop was a domain member. There will be many
restrictive settings, etc. that will be difficult, if not impossible, to
undo. Your friend should do this the right way.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html- Clean Install How-Tohttp://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows- What
you will need on-hand

Malke

Malke: thanks. I'll follow your advice.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

A friend was given a laptop which had previously been connected to a
local network. It still has network domains and the previous user's
login. We cannot access the 'My Documents' folder since the setup
assumes we must be connected.

Is there any way I can 'un-network' the various settings and establish
the laptop as a standalone, unconnected PC?

I am not a networking expert and did not want to change/delete
anything for fear of messing things up.

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, or
misconfigured the networking.


--

Bruce Chambers

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