Re: Administration

salf777 wrote:
Again here is the problem, computer will not let me uninstall ANYTHING since i am not logged on as the admin and can not log on as admin. Thats the real problem, I cant log on as admin and want to just set the computer back to where I can just donate it without my info on it. I am fine with formatting the hard drive and installing xp, restoring the system back to when I first got it ANYTHING but without being admin it wont let me do anything!


You don't need to be able to log in to format the hard drive. In fact, you *can't* format the drive while logged in to Windows. This would be the computer equivalent of sawing off the tree limb you're sitting on, and WinXP is "too smart" to allow this.

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

To protect your personal information and data from any future users of average skills, you should, at the very least, format the hard drive. If you wish to do a more thorough job of protecting your friend's personal data, WipeDrive (http://www.whitecanyon.com/wipedrive-erase-hard-drive.php) meets U.S. DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified hard drives, and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS and applications.


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Bruce Chambers

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