Reconfigure Donated Computer

[MSBhhNish]

I was given the task to setup 3 donated Dell computers for my
church. They are setup with Windows 2000 Pro, but when I
power them on, it prompts for a username/password/Network
for when it was configured by the donating company.

* Is there a way to bypass this to logon and cleanup?
* Will I have to reload Win 2K from scratch?
* I didn't receive any system disks. Is there any issues
with using my personal system disk to reload the operating
systems?

help!

 

[Galen]

In MSBhhNish had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I was given the task to setup 3 donated Dell computers for my
church. They are setup with Windows 2000 Pro, but when I
power them on, it prompts for a username/password/Network
for when it was configured by the donating company.

* Is there a way to bypass this to logon and cleanup?
* Will I have to reload Win 2K from scratch?
* I didn't receive any system disks. Is there any issues
with using my personal system disk to reload the operating
systems?

help!

1. I'm skipping the first. See #2.
2. Yes - even if you didn't have to you want to. Otherwise you inherit their
problems or risks.
3. If they didn't give you the LICENSE (the numbers) for them AND the CD
they basically just gave you heavy paperweights (according to the EULA) as
far as Windows/Microsoft is concerned. However - if they gave you the
License and the install media was lost or destroyed but they did give you
the license and there are no other OSes with those licenses installed
anywhere at that same time then there should be no issues with you using
your copy of 2k Professional.

#3 is a fairly liberal interpretation of the EULA but it seems to be
accurate. If you have the stickers on the side AND those same numbers aren't
still in use at the company who donated them then, yes, you should be fine
to use your own installation media.

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/ http://kgiii.info/

"Chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem, and
its solution is its own reward." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[paulmd]

I was given the task to setup 3 donated Dell computers for my
church. They are setup with Windows 2000 Pro, but when I
power them on, it prompts for a username/password/Network
for when it was configured by the donating company.

* Is there a way to bypass this to logon and cleanup?

First thing's first. Ask donating company what the password is. They
may have already done a clean install for you. But before you do, try
logging on as Administrator, with no password. Or just hit the Enter
key at the prompt.

* Will I have to reload Win 2K from scratch?

If it still has traces of the previous owner on it, then yes, a clean
install is best.

* I didn't receive any system disks. Is there any issues
with using my personal system disk to reload the operating
systems?

As song as the machines have a valid license sticker, you may use your
disk. The product key may or may not work, though. It's worth a shot.