Help in Changing User info, Please help

[Guest]

Hi, My friend gave me a computer and I need to change the user name for the
computer(The name u put in when u r registering). He didn't give me a copy of
the Windows CD he used to install XP home edition, so Im not sure how or if I
can change the registry name of "theotherguy". I espically dont like the name
he used for other parts of registration he used. Please either email me or
let me know if there is a way to get this off my computer without having to
go out and buy a new Windows CD. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Maggi Madison

 

[Jon]

Right -click "My Computer" > Properties > Computer Name tab > Change

Jon

 

[Malke]

Right -click "My Computer" > Properties > Computer Name tab > Change

Jon

Actually, you don't want to just change the user name because none of
the associated folders will change. You want to create a new user and
then delete the old user.

1. Log on as the Administrator or as a user with administrator
credentials.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. Click User Accounts.
4. Under Pick a task, click Create a new account.
5. Type a name for the user information, and then click Next.
6. Click an account type, and then click Create Account.

Now log onto the new account and you'll be able to go to the User
Accounts applet in Control Panel and delete the old account.

Please be aware that the person who gave you the computer should have
given you the XP cd. If he won't, you'll need to buy a retail copy of
XP Home for yourself and then it wasn't such a great gift.

Malke

 

[Guest]

This setting must be changed in the registry. To change this setting go to:
HKLM\software\microsoft\windows NT\CurrentVersion, and change the data under
the
RegisteredOwner key.

Changing the name of the computer will not change who it's registered to.
You may want to ask the person for the XP CD or purchase your own copy
anyways, since you may need it to reinstall or add/remove components.

Good luck!

 

[beb]

Back up registry. Drill down to
hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion. Right click
on the value "RegisteredOwner" in the right pane of the window, select
"modify" and enter the name you choose. You also can change the
"RegisteredOrganization from there. Be careful while editing the registry.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi, My friend gave me a computer and I need to change the user name for the
computer(The name u put in when u r registering). He didn't give me a copy of
the Windows CD he used to install XP home edition, so Im not sure how or if I
can change the registry name of "theotherguy". I espically dont like the name
he used for other parts of registration he used. Please either email me or
let me know if there is a way to get this off my computer without having to
go out and buy a new Windows CD. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Maggi Madison

If you didn't get the installation CD along with the computer, there's
a possibility that you don't have a valid license to use WinXP. Verify
with your benefactor that he also transferred the license for the OS to
you, and ask for the CD.

With second-hand computers, especially if acquired from strangers
but perhaps even if acquired from a family member, your wisest course
of action would probably 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.

However, 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:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

Change Registered Owner and Organization (Line 7)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Change Computer Name (Line 109)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Change My Computer Name to User Name (Line 131)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

How to change the company name and user name in Office XP programs
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=290528


--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

Hi,
I am actually going to go out and buy a new WinXP CD, due to the fact that
as you said, I don't know if he had an authorized copy, and I am finding that
there are viruses in the System itself. When I quarantine them and restart
the computer it tells me that the files couldn't be removed. Oh well guess my
friend wasn't as nice as I thought he was in giving me the computer. He
probably already knew that it was full of viruses, and that's why he gave it
to me. Oh well, thanks for all the help! Plus like you said I don't wanna get
into trouble if he stole the copy he used to install on pc. Thanks again!
Maggi Madison
P.S. How can I find out if this is an unauthorized copy of Win XP?