Document and Settings Change
Computer is hand-me-down and do not have original Windows XP Prof. disks. Cannot access updated Outlook 2010 without it defaulting to original server setup and password. How can I fix this, set up new "documents and settings" folder with new user name?1 person got this answerI do too
August 31st, 2010 7:27pm

Obtain disks.Format and clean install everything. Why? You don't know what all might be left over on this "hand-me-down". If you can figure out the type of Windows XP Professional that is installed (OEM, Retail - usually can tell from the Product ID found in the System Properties window under the General tab in the "Registered to" section) and you can find someone with a generic (unmodified) version of said Operating System installation media (Windows XP Professional OEM or Retail - in line with what you discovered) - then you can get the product key off the working system (Belarc Advisor) and do a clean installation. Be sure you backup everything important to you.Be sure you have the installation media and product keys/serial numbers separated from the machine for everything else you will need to install.Be sure you have the list of hardware and/or have already downloaded the drivers for the hardware to install after the clean installation. (The last two are greatly helped by using Belarc Advisor, printing the results.) ** You should be able to change the settings for Outlook through Control Panel --> MAIL - at least for the current user.-- Shenan Stanley MS-MVP --How To Ask Questions The Smart Wayhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
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August 31st, 2010 7:56pm

Thank you very much for your reply! I have disks from my lap top. Isn't there a license agreement that prevents you from loading it on another computer? Eventually I want to upgrade to Windows 7. Could this help me with this problem also? Debbie
August 31st, 2010 8:04pm

Thank you very much for your reply! I have disks from my lap top. Isn't there a license agreement that prevents you from loading it on another computer? If the disks from your laptop are the "right kind" (see Shenan's paragraph that begins, "Why?") then it's OK as long as you use the product key from your current installation (as Shenan also explains). Odds are, however, that the laptop CD is not "generic" but proprietary. In that case, you're probably out of luck unless the hand-me-down is from the same manufacturer as the laptop.Eventually I want to upgrade to Windows 7. Could this help me with this problem also?DebbieYes, installing Windows 7 will achieve the same goal -- a fresh install with no lurking issues. Before you buy Windows 7, however, be certain that it will work with the hand-me-down. In addition to the minimum hardware requirements, you also need to determine if Windows 7 hardware drivers are available. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is a good place to start --http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx
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August 31st, 2010 8:44pm

i have original windows with product key, i am not worried about loosing anythingm i forgot all passwords and need to reset. will my product key from original cd work to redo all?
October 2nd, 2010 1:20pm

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