Im hoping you can help me.
I have been using a laptop provided by my old company for quite a while. When i power it up i have to press ctrl alt del, this brings up a password
screen which has the old company's name in one box. I enter my password then it loads up. To access email i have to click on the VPN icon first.
After this i can download emails from the server and access the companys servers etc.
Following a severance package the laptop is now mine. Can anyone explain to me how i can make the computer work like a standalone PC. Ive looked in
the control panel etc but got lost off when it was talking about user groups and domains. I scared of deleting all of the current user groups to find
i cant use the computer etc.
It is running XP professional.
Later id like to ask how to get my hotmail account working on Outlook rather than through MSN. Currently outlook is set up for my old company's
email address that i can still access but will be switched of very soon.
Thanks in advance,
Darren.
You need to join it to their network to remove it from the domain - you may also need a domain administrator's account for it (depending how the
domain is set up).
Best thing would be to call their IT guys and arrange to take it in they can set you up a standalone user, make sure your settings are moved across to
the new one, and then remove the machine from the domain.
Cheers
vince
quote:
Originally posted by vinny1275
You need to join it to their network to remove it from the domain - you may also need a domain administrator's account for it (depending how the domain is set up).
Best thing would be to call their IT guys and arrange to take it in they can set you up a standalone user, make sure your settings are moved across to the new one, and then remove the machine from the domain.
Cheers
vince
I'm surprised that they didn't sort it before you left - my company's giving a number of PCs to staff following a network reorganisation, and each one has to have a disk-wipe program run on it, followed by an OS re-install, all witnessed by a member of IT staff before they'll let it out of the door.
You dont need to join it to their domain at all.
You can simply set up a local user, join a workgroup. It will then reboot.
Log in as your local user. Remove your outlook profile and create a new one which uses a pst.
Jobs a good 'un.
Though again I am surprised they allowed you to keep the software. Im fairly sure Microsft dont allow volume licensed software to be used outside the
organisation unless they purchase SA when they can purchase a license to be used at home.
Nothing surprises me with my old company ref software. Im basically still using it as no-one has said i cant. Hoever also accept that ignornace is no
substitution for what should be done. How much does it cost for Windows OS and office package? If it is a lot ill probs be best buying a new
pre-loaded laptop. Mine is old now and not as fast as it could be (albeit fast enough for what i need).
So it sounds like if i add myself as a user, reboot machine and then take off the company user stuff it might work?
quote:
my company's giving a number of PCs to staff following a network reorganisation, and each one has to have a disk-wipe program run on it, followed by an OS re-install
quote:
Originally posted by Charlie_Zetec
PS - if it were me, I'd wipe the HDD and start afresh with a new install of any operating system, and give that a go. You'll probably find the machine will run better as well, as all work related programs and naughty pictures will be gone.
Personally I'd whipe the bad boy clean, in my experience windows installs start running slow over time, due to the accumlated crap and temp
files.
If there is nothing you wish to keep then it would be a nice fresh start for the laptop.
Do you not have a "friend" with a copy of office? You could try open office, its free and pretty good.
Wish I was allowed to have naughty pictures on my work laptop. But working for a company specialising in Government-level security and data
protection/eradication (protectively marked data up to Top Secret), I've got no chance! The network police where I work are far too strict for
that. Luckily, this forum is one of the few sites I can actually access!
All a bit cloak & dagger....
And I've just hit 50 posts, my first big milestone!
Biggest problem is that if your former companies IT guys were on the ball you are unlikely to have full admin access -- without the admin password
there is very little you can do to alter the existing setup.
So to alter the setup you would need to download a bit of software to reset or crack the admin password.
The company used a sub contract IT firm. Ive emailed one of their guys to see if they can help. Fingers crossed they dont kick up a fuss and force me to go for a fresh install after buying my own software. Being newly redundant means i have to keep a close eye on outgoings.
quote:
Originally posted by Charlie_Zetec
quote:
my company's giving a number of PCs to staff following a network reorganisation, and each one has to have a disk-wipe program run on it, followed by an OS re-install
Technically that's not entirely legal. The licence agreement is for the machine to the owner, which in effect is the company. If they sell the unit, then they are responsible for all data, including operating system, and removal thereof. If they want to re-image the machine, they're supposed to inform Microsoft, who issue a new COA (certificate of authenticity) label with a new activation code; in essence, a new copy of the O/S which they (?) have to pay for.
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Biggest problem is that if your former companies IT guys were on the ball you are unlikely to have full admin access -- without the admin password there is very little you can do to alter the existing setup.
So to alter the setup you would need to download a bit of software to reset or crack the admin password.
Open office is pretty good, use it all the time. Is a mild pain when you get excel files etc though.
As for outlook, windows live mail is almost exactly the same thing but I know it does hotmail accounts. Plus if you're logged into messenger it
lets you know when an email turns up so you can click on the notification box and it pops up 
It's www.openoffice.org btw, I searched .com etc for ages