Why does Windows requires a password

[Guest Mishell]

I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

I activated the access to the local network without specifying a password.

When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

 

Thanks.

 

Mishell

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

> I activated the access to the local network without specifying a password.

> When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

> Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

>

> Thanks.

>

> Mishell

>

 

When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

thing: Ask the previous owner.

[Guest philo]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:%23mVVnnRrIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

> > I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

password.

> > When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

> > Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> > Mishell

> >

>

> When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

> keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

> thing: Ask the previous owner.

>

>

 

The advice is correct...

but since who knows what is on the machine or the condition of the operating

system...

if one purchases a used computer from an individual...

the best thing to do is format the drive and reinstall the operating system!

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message

news:uWY%23LESrIHA.3900@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>

> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

> news:%23mVVnnRrIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

>> news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> >I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

>> > I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

> password.

>> > When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

>> > Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

>> >

>> > Thanks.

>> >

>> > Mishell

>> >

>>

>> When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

>> keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

>> thing: Ask the previous owner.

>>

>>

>

> The advice is correct...

> but since who knows what is on the machine or the condition of the

> operating

> system...

> if one purchases a used computer from an individual...

> the best thing to do is format the drive and reinstall the operating

> system!

 

Good point. It might have more viruses than a dog has fleas,

which would not impress the OP's contacts when the machine

sends out infected messages (without his knowledge, of course).

[Guest philo]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:OBdibHSrIHA.4904@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

> "philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message

> news:uWY%23LESrIHA.3900@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> >

> > "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

> > news:%23mVVnnRrIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >>

> >> "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> >> news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >> >I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

> >> > I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

> > password.

> >> > When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

> >> > Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

> >> >

> >> > Thanks.

> >> >

> >> > Mishell

> >> >

> >>

> >> When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

> >> keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

> >> thing: Ask the previous owner.

> >>

> >>

> >

> > The advice is correct...

> > but since who knows what is on the machine or the condition of the

> > operating

> > system...

> > if one purchases a used computer from an individual...

> > the best thing to do is format the drive and reinstall the operating

> > system!

>

> Good point. It might have more viruses than a dog has fleas,

> which would not impress the OP's contacts when the machine

> sends out infected messages (without his knowledge, of course).

>

>

 

 

The first thing I'd do is see if the original owner still has the install or

restore CD sitting around.

If not...and the machine has sufficient specs...might as well go with XP

 

(my 2 cents worth anyway)

[Guest Mishell]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

news:%23mVVnnRrIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

>> I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

>> password.

>> When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

>> Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

>>

>> Thanks.

>>

>> Mishell

>>

>

> When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

> keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

> thing: Ask the previous owner.

>

I followed your advice and contacted the store. They gave me the keys which

is the default user name.

Many thanks.

Mishell

[Guest philo]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

news:%23AhMC5SrIHA.5580@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>

> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

> news:%23mVVnnRrIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >

> > "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> > news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >>I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

> >> I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

> >> password.

> >> When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

> >> Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

> >>

> >> Thanks.

> >>

> >> Mishell

> >>

> >

> > When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

> > keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

> > thing: Ask the previous owner.

> >

> I followed your advice and contacted the store. They gave me the keys

which

> is the default user name.

> Many thanks.

> Mishell

>

>

 

Since you did *not *get the machine from an individual...

a reputable used computer dealer should hopefully have a clean install of

win2k on the machine.

 

Just give it a check for pre-existing personal data etc

[Guest Mishell]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message

news:e7EkVNTrIHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>

> "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> news:%23AhMC5SrIHA.5580@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>

>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

>> news:%23mVVnnRrIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> >

>> > "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

>> > news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> >>I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

>> >> I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

>> >> password.

>> >> When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

>> >> Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

>> >>

>> >> Thanks.

>> >>

>> >> Mishell

>> >>

>> >

>> > When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

>> > keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

>> > thing: Ask the previous owner.

>> >

>> I followed your advice and contacted the store. They gave me the keys

> which

>> is the default user name.

>> Many thanks.

>> Mishell

>>

>>

>

> Since you did *not *get the machine from an individual...

> a reputable used computer dealer should hopefully have a clean install of

> win2k on the machine.

>

> Just give it a check for pre-existing personal data etc

>

>

These used computers are given to the store (which is also a social

insertion computer school) by companies and are refurbished and sold at low

cost.

[Guest philo]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

 

"Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

news:euWIQhUrIHA.1200@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

> "philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message

> news:e7EkVNTrIHA.4848@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> >

> > "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> > news:%23AhMC5SrIHA.5580@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> >>

> >> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message

> >> news:%23mVVnnRrIHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >> >

> >> > "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> >> > news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >> >>I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

> >> >> I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

> >> >> password.

> >> >> When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

> >> >> Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

> >> >>

> >> >> Thanks.

> >> >>

> >> >> Mishell

> >> >>

> >> >

> >> > When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

> >> > keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

> >> > thing: Ask the previous owner.

> >> >

> >> I followed your advice and contacted the store. They gave me the keys

> > which

> >> is the default user name.

> >> Many thanks.

> >> Mishell

> >>

> >>

> >

> > Since you did *not *get the machine from an individual...

> > a reputable used computer dealer should hopefully have a clean install

of

> > win2k on the machine.

> >

> > Just give it a check for pre-existing personal data etc

> >

> >

> These used computers are given to the store (which is also a social

> insertion computer school) by companies and are refurbished and sold at

low

> cost.

>

>

>

 

 

Excellent!

 

That's sort of what I do. I refurbish machines for a non-profit Org

where they are sold to the colleagues for $10 each. I am an authorized

refurbisher...

so I can re-license the machines for $5 each.

 

FWIF: I set the machines to just log in with no password...to avoid the

confusion.

 

Be sure the machine has a virus checker!

[Guest Mark F]

Re: Why does Windows requires a password

 

> >> "Mishell" <Mishell@dell.qc> wrote in message

> >> news:eAyvOJNrIHA.4492@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >> >I just bought a used computer with Windows 2000 Pro SP4 installed.

> >> > I activated the access to the local network without specifying a

> > password.

> >> > When I try to open Windows, it keeps asking for a password.

> >> > Is there something I can do to solve this proplem^

As many have replied, you should reinstall the operating system

from scratch to avoid problems.

 

However, you asked how to avoid entering a password each time.

 

There are two methods to try:

. set so only one username is defined. I think this

is known as disabling user profiles.

. set so automatically logs in to a particular username.

 

One way is to disable multiple usernames. See:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/152104

"How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt

at Startup"

also see:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/156826/EN-US/

"How to Disable and Delete User Profiles"

 

I'm not sure if you can disable user profiles in Windows 2000.

I couldn't find a reference that says it is possible, but I

didn't find anything that said you couldn't and I don't have

a Windows 2000 system to try things on.

 

The other way is to set things to login automatically.

This:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/234562

"How To Enable Automatic Logon in Windows 2000 Professional"

tells how.

> >> >

> >> > Thanks.

> >> >

> >> > Mishell

> >> >

> >>

> >> When you buy a car then you ask the previous owner for the

> >> keys. With a PC (with Windows pre-installed) it's the same

> >> thing: Ask the previous owner.

> >>

> >>

> >

> > The advice is correct...

> > but since who knows what is on the machine or the condition of the

> > operating

> > system...

> > if one purchases a used computer from an individual...

> > the best thing to do is format the drive and reinstall the operating

> > system!

>

> Good point. It might have more viruses than a dog has fleas,

> which would not impress the OP's contacts when the machine

> sends out infected messages (without his knowledge, of course).

>