Why does Windows requires a password

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

Pegasus
Sat May 03 05:33:29 PDT 2008


"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.

philo
Sat May 03 06:26:32 PDT 2008


"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!

Pegasus
Sat May 03 06:30:27 PDT 2008


"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).

philo
Sat May 03 07:03:47 PDT 2008


"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)

Mishell
Sat May 03 07:59:15 PDT 2008


"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

philo
Sat May 03 08:34:09 PDT 2008


"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

Mishell
Sat May 03 11:05:46 PDT 2008


"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.

philo
Sat May 03 12:10:35 PDT 2008


"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!

Mark
Sun May 04 06:42:13 PDT 2008


> >> "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).
>