Re: permissions maybe/bought computer, it is still registered in the sellers name

I have now unplugged that computer and I will use it again later then get back and tell you what the situation is.
Thank you for the useful information. I do use quite a few different computers now and every little bit of good information like you people have given helps. Thank you...I hope my hotmail account name does not appear in the Newsgroup replies again...spam...dam...

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:#c$25CR5IHA.1420@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
umwhat wrote:
Windows Update is not letting me install Windows XP SP3 and nor can I install Windows XP SP3 from the Windows XP SP3 download I saved for future installations. Adobe Flash Player will not install and I see at Adobe a reason for Flash Player not installing can be there are some sort of restricted user permissions and I am logged on as an Administrator.
Can I reregister Windows XP Home Edition in my name? I did find a form online at Microsoft where I could change ownership or reregister XP but I did not know what I should write for the old owners name.
I have since found there is his name on the computer, and I can even email him if I need to.
What can I do about this?
I want to register the XP Home Edition in my name anyway. Shall I try to find the Microsoft webpage I found before where I could try to change the ownership and attempt to register XP in my name or what should I do?


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.

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, 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



--

Bruce Chambers

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http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

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The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

.

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