Help in changing computer name.

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ITChallenged

New Member
Hi, This is my first post and not sure I am in the correct forum but this was my best guess. I need some help on the below situation please.

I bought a used desktop computer from my former company some years ago. A website I am a member of informed me when the site had to update that, whatever the term is called, was showing the name of my former company when my computers id info was checked/verified by the website administrator I am a member of. To fix this issue I have the following questions:

1) What is the terminology of what I am describing above, term used to describe how my computer communicates with the website, how does this work etc...

2) How can I change this name from my former company to my own choosing or my name?

3) How does this administrator know this? Is it plainly spelled out or is a numerical code displayed and this is tied to a specific company or something else?

Please help if you can in this matter and feel free to elborate more than you think necessary since I am not really well versed in this area of computers. Thanks in advance for your help.

Jon
 
There 2 possible things you are talking about here.

1. name of computer owner
2. Actual name of computer

To change the name of the computer owner do the following.

Use the regedit command to open the registry editor and navigate to the following registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

On the right hand side find Registered owner and edit that name.

Then exit out.

To change the name of the actual computer do the following.

Right click on computer icon and click on properties. At this point, depending on which version of windows you have, it depends on where you go to change the computer name. XP will have a computer name tab at the top. Vista and 7 you will need to click on advanced system settings and then there will be a computer name tab and then you can change it from there.
 
johnb35 said:
There 2 possible things you are talking about here.

1. name of computer owner
2. Actual name of computer

To change the name of the computer owner do the following.

Use the regedit command to open the registry editor and navigate to the following registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

On the right hand side find Registered owner and edit that name.

Then exit out.

To change the name of the actual computer do the following.

Right click on computer icon and click on properties. At this point, depending on which version of windows you have, it depends on where you go to change the computer name. XP will have a computer name tab at the top. Vista and 7 you will need to click on advanced system settings and then there will be a computer name tab and then you can change it from there.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help but neither option seems to be what I am referring to. Option 2 is definitely not it. Option 1 when I checked had "IT" for the registered name.

Somehow in my IP address, Mac Address or something else the former company name is being identified with the computer at the website I was referring to. What possible commands or searches could they be doing to give them this information. I had to argue with them that this was indeed my computer that I bought outright and legally from my former employer. So they said a possible reason was oversight on the employers IT department when clearing the computer and setting up prior to my receipt. Do you have any other ideas on how to rectify this?

P.S. I did a CMD check and couldn't find anything when using ipconfig/all or at least nothing that was easily visible and not hidden in some sort of code if possilbe.
 
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johnb35 said:
Maybe you are signed in on a domain? What does your login screen look like?
Click to expand...

Not sure I understand your question. What domain and what login screen? I use IE as an internet provider and my login screen for my computer is via windows XP. I mostly use yahoo for a browser. :confused:
 
Well, if this was a business laptop, sometimes they have a domain login and maybe thats where they are getting the information from. Maybe it would just be easier to format and reinstall windows?
 
johnb35 said:
Well, if this was a business laptop, sometimes they have a domain login and maybe thats where they are getting the information from. Maybe it would just be easier to format and reinstall windows?
Click to expand...

Okay so how/where do I check to see this domain login? How do you format and reinstall windows? Just insert start up cd's and reinstall or uninstall first then reinstall?
 
Make sure these cd's are actually operating system cd's. You will need onsite help to help you reinstall windows and install all the correct drivers if you have never done it.
 
johnb35 said:
Make sure these cd's are actually operating system cd's. You will need onsite help to help you reinstall windows and install all the correct drivers if you have never done it.
Click to expand...

Okay so I guess to change/ check the domain name I need to reinstall the operating system as you said. I think the payback vs effort is not warranted at this point so I will leave as is. Thanks again for your help in the matter however.
 
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