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How-To Geek Forums / Windows Vista

(Solved) - Remove all traces of original owner

(11 posts)
  • Started 6 months ago by warlock
  • Latest reply from warlock
  • Topic Viewed 534 times

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warlock
warlock
Posts: 4100

Not an emergency, don't have the computer yet. It is an HP dv 6000 laptop running Windows Vista. Have no disks, only complaint is when downloading pictures from the internet shows computer owners name now/old computers name in documents. Anal retentive and the new owner doesn't want that. Wouldn't bother me personally. Nothing on the computer needs to be saved except the operating system. They said they are shown as the computer owner but, old owner still shows up in documents. What should I do?

Posted 6 months ago #
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GuiltySpark
GuiltySpark
Posts: 4024

Control Panel --- System ----scroll down to Computer/domain name and select Change Settings ---- Change.

Posted 6 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

Ideally, clean re-install.

Accepted Answer · Posted 6 months ago #
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ronniesonora
Posts: 919

warlock, might try here http://tips4pc.com/computer_ti.....regist.htm

Posted 6 months ago #
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warlock
warlock
Posts: 4100

@GS, that was done new name shows. It is in registry somewhere.

@LH, thats what I think too. But, no disks so rather than go through the ISO. etc. any registry edit I can make you are the resident registry guru.

Edit: @ronnie will look into that, you posted while I was posting.

Posted 6 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

LH is right. In that case, a reinstall (e.g. from the recovery partition) is the way to go. You can also download a Vista .iso from here and activate it with the key on the COA sticker.

Posted 6 months ago #
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warlock
warlock
Posts: 4100

Okay thanks for the expert help. When I get the machine probably after work tomorrow, will see exactly what I have to work with. Will update when I can.

Posted 6 months ago #
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Hermitt
Hermitt
Posts: 1310

You can use this guide to create the "Vista Universal Install disc". ;)

Jim

Posted 6 months ago #
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warlock
warlock
Posts: 4100

Had a chance to look at the computer today. Was very little installed on it as far a files, no programs that were installed that did not come with it originally. After talking with the owner she decided that she didn't care if anything she had put on it was saved, just wanted previous owners name gone from everything. Rather than search through the registry followed advise here and did a reinstall from the Recovery Manager. All went well, new registered owner and a happy friend.

Thanks,
Joe

Posted 6 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

Tis always the best way :)

Posted 6 months ago #
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warlock
warlock
Posts: 4100

You are right, just was skepticle using install from Recovery Manager.

Posted 6 months ago #
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