Can I rename computer without HDD Format?

[helmie]

Hi,
My parents bought a used laptop on ebay, and I was wondering if I could change the computer name and who Win 2000 was registered to without formatting the HDD? Its currently set to the last owners name, and Id just like to change it.
Thanks
Chris

 

[LaptopExtreme]

Go into System properties (System) in Control panel, click on the Computer Name tab, there you can change your computer name and workgroup name.

 

[dragon2309]

yes, that will change the computer name but thats easy to do, the actual registered user info is stored in registry keys, there is a small tutorial on how to change this here - http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article02-021

 

[helmie]

Ok thanks, thats it all sorted now.