Locked BIOS and Mydocuments still under previous owners name

[Guest]

I bought a used laptop off ebay. In the BIOS, it has a name listed as owner
and it says"these isettings cannot be changed". I would like to know how
without getting a new processor.
Also, another person's name shows up when I save to MY DOCUMENTS. How can I
change that to my own name? Any help is appreciated. I never bought a used
laptop before.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I bought a used laptop off ebay. In the BIOS, it has a name listed as owner
and it says"these isettings cannot be changed". I would like to know how
without getting a new processor.

Contact the laptop's manufacturer. Some laptops have to be returned to
the factory or an authorized repair facility to have the BIOS password
reset or cleared.

Also, another person's name shows up when I save to MY DOCUMENTS. How can I
change that to my own name? Any help is appreciated. I never bought a used
laptop before.

The user profile folders (C:\Documents and Settings\Username)
_cannot_ be renamed, without risky registry editing, 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. Once you've logged in using this
new account (and transfered any data you need to preserve, 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

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.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

Thank you Bruce for that valueable information. I'll log off now and give it
a try. Thanks again.
Lane

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I bought a used laptop off ebay. In the BIOS, it has a name listed as
owner
and it says"these isettings cannot be changed". I would like to know how
without getting a new processor.

This isn't a function of the processor, it's the BIOS.

Also, another person's name shows up when I save to MY DOCUMENTS. How can
I
change that to my own name? Any help is appreciated. I never bought a
used
laptop before.

You have to talk to the manufacturer for details regarding the BIOS name.
You may need to send it to them, or take it to a service depot, to have it
changed. This is actually a security feature.

As for the My Documents name, make a new account and delete the old one
after transferring any data of yours.

HTH
-pk

 

[AJR]

Usually the BIOS can be cleared by removing the battery for a short period
of time - however in a laptop that can be tedious and problematic.

 

[SingaporeWebDesign]

Hello,

Since you say it is a new system with only XP, why not format the hard disk
and
install XP? This will get rid of all junk and may even free up more space,
not to mention that 100% of the viruses/malware that the previouso owner may
have unintentionally installed will be gone.

Back to your original problem - for the BIOS issue, you will need to contact
the manufacturer. For the my documents issue, you will need to create a new
account by Start > Control Panel > User Accounts.

--
Singapore Website Design
http://www.bootstrike.com/Webdesign/
Singapore Web Hosting
http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/faq.html
Windows XP FAQ