Reply to: Work laptop question....

[NickFitz]

Frustrating that I cannot re-install XP operating system so readily, annoying to see references to my old company.

Search for the name in the Registry, using Regedit.

Windows-R, type "regedit" to start it.

Ctrl-F to get the search dialog.

When you find the key with the company name as the value, edit the value and put what you like in there.

Rinse and repeat until it's no longer found.

WARNING: this could potentially break some installed software, and you MUST NOT change anything else, or you could stop Windows working completely. I accept no liability, use at your own risk, do not use to operate a nuclear reactor, and all the other standard disclaimers.

If in doubt, google for more detailed instructions.

[NickFitz]

Just search through some generic bit torrent sites and I'm sure you'll find about a million copies of it (and probably anything else you need a backup of)

And none of them will have trojans or other nasties embedded in them.

Shouldn't be too hard to find somebody with a genuine shop-bought XP disc (as opposed to an OEM "recovery" disc). You should be able to install from that using the existing key.

[kirk]

Search for cain and able - that should help you crack the admin password.

[ladymuck]

Easiest way to sort out Outlook is to remove the existing mail profile (Control Panel, Mail, Profiles) and then set it up fresh with whatever you now need

[Wilmslow]

Thanks guys, making progress.

Managed to amend the local admin to the PC, so been able to amend the name for this user, and amend the password, so sorted in this respect.

Just need to work out how to configure outlook now - the thing insists on connecting through VPN to the company account - may just bang on Office XP to be honest and upgrade from the 2003 already on for a clean install.

Frustrating that I cannot re-install XP operating system so readily, annoying to see references to my old company.

However, just happy to be able to amend to my own name and have a good freebis lappie! (Lattitude D620 - very nice for nowt!)

[portseven]

or u can grab a copy of ubuntu Linux and install that!

[Clippy]

Or buy an OEM copy from eBay.

[Ardesco]

Just search through some generic bit torrent sites and I'm sure you'll find about a million copies of it (and probably anything else you need a backup of)

[Wilmslow]

If it's an XP machine, there should be a sticker on the machine with the licence on it. Get a copy of XP and install it again with the licence key.

Yes, there is a licence key.

Just need to work out how to get a copy of XP now....

Oh, the joys of fudging.

[TheFaQQer]

If it's an XP machine, there should be a sticker on the machine with the licence on it. Get a copy of XP and install it again with the licence key.

[Wilmslow]

BART's boot cd is an image that you download with Windows PE installation on it. You boot from CD and it loads a CD based "lite" operating system with utilities that allow you to access the drive and make changes.


WIN PE saved me loads of time etc loads times..


HTH

Is this the link I need? Not clear how to download the thing... http://www.nu2.nu/download.php?sFile=bcd111.zip

[daviejones]

What is this BARTS CD? Sounds like something from the Simpsons!

I cannot go back to the work tecchies as severed links with the firm, and cannot re-install XP as no CD / License.

Looks like I am stuck with having to always remember the daft username and password Still, at least it is a good lappie which works in every other respect.

BART's boot cd is an image that you download with Windows PE installation on it. You boot from CD and it loads a CD based "lite" operating system with utilities that allow you to access the drive and make changes.


WIN PE saved me loads of time etc loads times..


HTH

[Wilmslow]

Download BART's boot cd and then burn to CD. HTH

What is this BARTS CD? Sounds like something from the Simpsons!

I cannot go back to the work tecchies as severed links with the firm, and cannot re-install XP as no CD / License.

Looks like I am stuck with having to always remember the daft username and password Still, at least it is a good lappie which works in every other respect.

[daviejones]

Looks like I have got to keep an old works laptop.

Running XP.

Dell.

Problem is that I am stuck with a username and password I do not want to keep.

Not administrator on the machine, only my account.

I cannot remove password required setting, and cannot even change my password, nevermind my username as no longer on the company network.

Anyone got any ideas??

Download BART's boot cd and then burn to CD. HTH

[Clippy]

If I have read this correctly, you have been allowed to keep a company laptop for your own personal use. Correct?

If so, and it was me, I would format the drive and re-install XP.

Talk to the IT bods to see if they have the original CD's that came with the laptop knocking about.

This way you can set yourself up as an Administrator as without these privileges, you are quite restricted in what you can do.