XP Pro question

[ToddSchumacher]

OK So I got this new computer...a floor demo model (So it has all these preset settings). It's running XP Pro. It won;t let me right-click a lot of things I use to be able to with my XP home on my old comp. Also, the ctrl-alt-del gives me "task manager has been disabled by your administrator" ... How do I change these things?

 

[John Crichton]

Do you have an XP disc? I would wipe the HD and reinstall windows. Who knows what is on that machine or what they have changed...

 

[Datt]

It also sounds like you are not logging in as the owner, but just a user. I would do like John said and wipe it, if you can. I am not sure exactly what you will be able to do if you can't log on as either the owner or admin.

 

[Maraxle]

Definitely wipe and reinstall. It'll clear up all your issues.

 

[herald]

Actually it sound like the security policy editor has removed functions. Using the policy editor is not for the faint of heart. The others may have a good point and you may want to use the system restore disks.

 

[gariig]

Reinstall because you will need an admin account to change the policies. If you JUST got it, a format/reinstall shouldn't be too bad.

Gariig

 

[ToddSchumacher]

The accout that I'm using IS an Admin account....it says admin...So I should be able to change the settings right? Re-installing windoes seems like an extreem solution to what is just a settings change.



Right?

I've had the computer for a few weeks now..and everything is how I want it. I have all my programs loaded and working swell I'd rather not go thru the process of having to re-doo all of it over again if I don;t have to.

 

[Mercule]

It was a floor model? Why are you even hesitating to reformat? Who knows what settings some demented little booger has changed?

Myself, I'm of the opinion that "routine maintenance" on a computer includes a complete rebuild annually, if not twice annually.

 

[John Crichton]

It was a floor model? Why are you even hesitating to reformat? Who knows what settings some demented little booger has changed?

Myself, I'm of the opinion that "routine maintenance" on a computer includes a complete rebuild annually, if not twice annually.

I agree. I usually backup, format, reinstall at least once a year. I see it like maintenance on a car. It just doesn't have to be done as often.

 

[Sakzilla]

re-installs

Just remember that with new MS product activation, you are very limited in the number of times you can activate your "key" before you get a nasty "call MS Support" message. The OEM restore disk may not cause problems, but any Office XP-type programs will trip you up after 7 installs (even on the same machine).