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General discussion

System Administrator Lock Out

Apr 12, 2005 12:02AM PDT

Hi all!

My Brother inherited a computer that was part of a network at a business. It appears to have been a work station. It is running WinXP Pro, has a Pentium III clocked at 550Mgh and the machine type is unfamiliar to me its name is "A Open". He would like to restore the computer to factory settings. All he really needs is the OS. He is locked out of doing just about anything. He can't even add a printer. The computer says the machine must have clearance from the system adminisrtator.

Is there a way to reset the comupter back to original? We do not have a rescue disk for this unit.

Any help?

Thanks!
Gordon

Discussion is locked

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Missing from your post is...
Apr 12, 2005 12:04AM PDT

What OS CD you have to use on this machine.

If none, fix that first.

Bob

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Got some
Apr 12, 2005 4:16AM PDT

I have recovery disks for Dell win XP and HP win ME with reinstallation of OS. Does that help?

Thanks,
Gordon

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No. Here's why.
Apr 12, 2005 5:20AM PDT

You don't have an OS to use on the new machine. Microsoft, Dell, HP all set it up to only work on one machine per license.

What's the OS plan? Linux is free.

Bob

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What about the OS that came with the machine?
Apr 12, 2005 7:32AM PDT

Must I install a brand new OS? Can I retain the current one while I blow out the network so the machine can work as a free standing PC?

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If so, call the machine maker for the restore CDs.
Apr 12, 2005 7:48AM PDT

If you are lucky, the restore CD set runs about 20 bucks.

It chafes or inflames many that owning the machine may not entitle you to use the OS that it came with. Can you find the sticker with the license key on the machine?

If not, you may have one of thost machines that a company gets with the infamous "corporate" windows. Legal for use only within that company and by its employees.

I don't want to carry on about this at all. If you don't have a legit OS license, then you don't have it and need to cure that issue first. Sometimes these deals turn a little sour as the new owner finds out the new XP OS license has teeth or their old machine with Windows ME can't be installed on the new machine due to whatever they did.

Love to help, but until you get your OS CD situation under control it looks like we wait.

Bob