Changing PC name? Possible?

PCDumbass

Senior member
Aug 26, 2002
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Right now, my work Laptop is under the name "Leslie" since it was originally for a my coworker.

Is there a way I can change the name of the PC from "Leslie" to another name, without having to re-install Windows XP?

Thanks!

-Rob
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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The name can be changed, yes. If you have an IT department, ask them to do it for you. If not, and if you have administrative privileges on the laptop, then search Windows Help on this topic. I know how you'd do it in Win2000, but not having WinXP to work with, I'm not sure precisely what menus to steer you to in WinXP.
 

AlphaDraconis

Member
Dec 15, 2003
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Right click the "My Computer" icon on the desk top.
Go to Properties then click on the "Computer Name" tab. Enter a new name.

This works for most applications. Some of them hold on to the old info, which probably means a registry change. There I cannot help you.
 

altonb1

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2002
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Call your IT department. This CAN be changed, but if you do it on your own, you more than likely will screw up your network settings. At that point, you will have to excplain WHY you were "doinking" (yes, it's the technical term!) with the network settings on your company-issued laptop in the first place. Call your helpdesk, they can have a tech do it and assist with joining the domain again AFTER the name change.
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
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Aug 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: altonb1
Call your IT department. This CAN be changed, but if you do it on your own, you more than likely will screw up your network settings. At that point, you will have to excplain WHY you were "doinking" (yes, it's the technical term!) with the network settings on your company-issued laptop in the first place. Call your helpdesk, they can have a tech do it and assist with joining the domain again AFTER the name change.
Good advice! I'll tell you how to change the registered owner name if that's what you 'd like to know though.

type regedit in the run box, hit enter
go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, click the + sign to open it
click the + sign to open the SOFTWARE folder
open the MICROSOFT folder
open the windows NT folder
now, for the current version folder click directly on the name and not the + sign and you'll see registeredowner near the bottom on the right hand fields. Right click on it and choose modify, in the value data box you'll see the name you need to change to your's, finished.


 

PCDumbass

Senior member
Aug 26, 2002
462
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71
type regedit in the run box, hit enter
go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, click the + sign to open it
click the + sign to open the SOFTWARE folder
open the MICROSOFT folder
open the windows NT folder
now, for the current version folder click directly on the name and not the + sign and you'll see registeredowner near the bottom on the right hand fields. Right click on it and choose modify, in the value data box you'll see the name you need to change to your's, finished.

You ARE the man.

Done and done.

Cheers,

-Rob

 

PCDumbass

Senior member
Aug 26, 2002
462
0
71
Originally posted by: AlphaDraconis
Right click the "My Computer" icon on the desk top.
Go to Properties then click on the "Computer Name" tab. Enter a new name.

This works for most applications. Some of them hold on to the old info, which probably means a registry change. There I cannot help you.

I did that already....it's the registry change I was after.

-Rob
 

PCDumbass

Senior member
Aug 26, 2002
462
0
71
Originally posted by: altonb1
Call your IT department. This CAN be changed, but if you do it on your own, you more than likely will screw up your network settings. At that point, you will have to excplain WHY you were "doinking" (yes, it's the technical term!) with the network settings on your company-issued laptop in the first place. Call your helpdesk, they can have a tech do it and assist with joining the domain again AFTER the name change.

Unfortunately we're not all so lucky as to have an IT professional at our disposal ;)

-Rob