Making A Used Computer Your Own

chickiepoo · 08-20-2005, 07:09 AM

--> MAKE A USED COMPUTER YOUR OWN

David, in Asheville, NC, said he had bought used computers at an auction.

He wants to get the old owners' information off of them.

David, I assume you're referring to the registration of the computers, and the user accounts.

So let's change the registration first.

This requires changes in the Registry.

The Registry is critical, so before changing it, back it up.

Follow my instructions at:
http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=1522

To change the registration:

--Click Start>>Run

--Enter "regedit" (without the quotes) in the box and click OK

--In Windows XP and 2000, drill down to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion

--In Windows 98 and ME, drill down to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion

--In the right-hand pane, double-click RegisteredOwner

--Change the Value Data to the proper name, then click OK

--Next, double-click RegisteredOrganization

--Change the Value Data. Click OK

--Close Registry Editor.

The correct name should now show.

To check, go to Control Panel (Start>>Control Panel or Start>> Settings>> Control Panel).

Double-click System.

On the General tab, look under Registered To.

Windows XP also shows the user's name on the Start menu. This is simply the name on the user account.

Access the user accounts by clicking Start>>Control Panel. Double-click User Accounts.

You can cancel old accounts here.

First, create an administrator account for yourself.

Then, cancel all other accounts.

Close out all windows and reboot.

When the computer comes up, your name should be on the Start menu.