XP Pro question

[John Crichton]

Yes, but if they are legit copies the activation call takes about 10 minutes. The only time it is a problem is with pirated discs.

 

[reapersaurus]

Todd - if you catch this post, I'd try what herald mentioned - he's the only one that's got it right, as I see it.

As a rule, you should always try to troubleshoot or modify a computer's settings before Reinstalling.
Also as a rule, you should re-partition and format any computer you buy secondhand, but that's already passed, so....

These 2 tools contain many settings for exactly what you describe:
When logged on as an account with Administrative powerzzz,
Go to Start-->Programs-->Administrative Tools-->Local Security Policy.
Look around in there to find the settings that bother you.
I'd suggest looking in Local Policies, Security Options.

If that doesn't have the settings you're looking for, than go to the master list of policies:
Start-->Run
gpedit.msc

In there, look around, especially in User Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Ctrl-Alt-Del Options

 

[Maraxle]

Todd - if you catch this post, I'd try what herald mentioned - he's the only one that's got it right, as I see it.

As a rule, you should always try to troubleshoot or modify a computer's settings before Reinstalling.
Also as a rule, you should re-partition and format any computer you buy secondhand, but that's already passed, so....

The fact is, where it was a floor model, software-wise it is a secondhand system. Think about all of the people in the store who have had time to monkey around with it. Even with the security policies, which are not flawless in XP (or any other OS, for that matter), I would not be comfortable running it without a clean install. Even if none of the customers in the store were able to get past XP's security settings, do you want to trust your personal documents to some unknown person who works at the store?

Of course, this is an information security professional speaking, so I am on the upper end of the paranoid scale when it comes to potential viruses, keyloggers, and such.

 

[Drawmack]

Just for craps and laughs I will walk to the local office max throw in a disk that reboots the system with administrative access and installs a trojan. Then, after about a minute, I go my own way. When that computer is sold and the person hooks it up to the internet I get an email telling me all kinds of neat stuff about them.

The moral of the story: reinstall - now.

 

[John Crichton]

Just for craps and laughs I will walk to the local office max throw in a disk that reboots the system with administrative access and installs a trojan. Then, after about a minute, I go my own way. When that computer is sold and the person hooks it up to the internet I get an email telling me all kinds of neat stuff about them.

The moral of the story: reinstall - now.

While I'm not as dastardly as Darth Drawmack here, I do agree. I used to work at a Circuit City and we sold floor models all the time. There is no way I would run a single thing on the unit until a format/reinstall. I can't say it enough.

Sure you could go in and play with the setting as others have mentioned but if you don't know what you are doing then you risk your computer being exposed which could eventually mean data loss, etc.

 

[2d6]

If it came with a system restore disk you should be able to have it back up and running like it was new out-of-the-box pretty quick with minimum fuss.

They could have used policy editor, then again they may not have, and you never know what's fooled around with by customers or employees, I too worked at CC at one time and agree with John 100%

 

[Drawmack]

While I'm not as dastardly as Darth Drawmack here

Into the .sig file with you

 

[John Crichton]

Into the .sig file with you

I'm honored. I think.

 

[Skullfyre]

Just for craps and laughs I will walk to the local office max throw in a disk that reboots the system with administrative access and installs a trojan. Then, after about a minute, I go my own way. When that computer is sold and the person hooks it up to the internet I get an email telling me all kinds of neat stuff about them.

The moral of the story: reinstall - now.

I agree with John and 2d6.
Being a computer tech for 10 years.. working at Best Buy's Canadian outlet(Future Shop). I used to deal with reinstalling the Operating systems all the time.