questions regarding registration and computer name XP pro

Hi Everyone,
I have a computer left to me when my dad passed. And now putting it back into service. I believe it is without malware.. it seems to run fine, and I downloaded Malwarebytes Premium, which found only two minor problems. (But I did not do a root-kit scan). I may post in Malware for any desirable programs to run, just to verify it being clean. This is running XP Pro, with MS updates that were (thankfully) streaming for hours, and has SP3 installed. It was not used for over a year, previously, but with very limited use even then.

I'm currently running under administrator, and I've loaded a few programs, updated Java, Firefox, deleted Symantec, etc. I want to add a user account (non-admin), and then make all of my current programs work. Yes, I understand that should have been done first! I'm learning. The order of doing things, with a outdated OS might only require a 4 year IT course, 8 years ago. So I'm here, seeking good answers. And appreciative!

Questions, links to instructions, and best order for:
1) Running any other malware detection required, or advised?
2) Changing the registration, and computer name? (Without causing issues)
3) Establishing a new user name, and making the current (admin) programs and settings work with the new account?
4) Is Malwarebytes Premium a comprehensive AV? Or do I need to add any other related programs?
5) And having only a drivers & utilities disk for the MSI mother board (and no other "support" items.. I need a link to produce a boot disk, or to make a backup XP load disk, if possible.

Very thankful for all the support I've received previously here!! But this is my first "decent" computer and want to dial it in if possible. Yes, you can all stop laughing.. even I realize it's old, but it's all I need, till I find a good video board, and a few memory sticks to eventually upgrade to Win 7.
THANKS!!

 

"Please delete"?? Is there a reason? I have on occasion been helped here regarding malware problems (in the malware section). In this case, I had some straight forward questions. Or is it not OK to post such questions??

I've already searched other sites, and found some answers.. and some that don't work.. and some that are specific only to one task. My concern is more, of which to do first, or if the order does or does not matter.

 

As plodr said, I had posted something and decided it wasn't correct for your particular situation. The "Please delete" wasn't directed toward you or your questions.You can't delete your own posts here. A moderator or Administrator needs to do so. You also can't leave a blank post.

But, since I'm here again, I don't quite understand what you mean by "change registration".

Right now, I'm posting this from within Vista. I'll change back to XP to see if the computer name can be changed from within XP but, I believe the name is set during XP installation.

Malwarebytes Premium has real-time protection. So, you'd be ill advised to run another anti-virus because of possible conflicts. The only other app I'd run is Spyware Blaster.

I'll also check on establishing a new non-Administrative account with full access to your apps.

XP Pro has a feature called ASR (Automated System Recovery). But, since XP Pro was introduced, backup software such as EaseUS Todo Backup, Macrium Reflect (this download link will download the Macrium downloader which also allows downloading the WinPE components necessary for creating the bootable restoration disk), and AOMEI Backupper have come along. All allow complete System Backups (OS, settings, apps and data) and restoration.

 

To change the computer name, double click System in Control Panel, click the Computer name tab and click the change button (see att 1)

To set up a non admin user acct, double click User Accounts in Control Panel and click Create acct (See att 2 — 4). If you set up a non admin acct, you may not be able to access all of your apps. You can set up a second Admin acct for yourself though enabling access to all of your apps for yourself. You could also set up automatic login to your admin acct bypassing the other admin acct or possibly deactivate/delete the other admin acct.

 

Plodr,
Thanks! I thought I was being shunned!! And of all the things to do with computing and the internet.. you folks are like angels! Very appreciative. I built and serviced some of the earliest PCs back in 1980-81 (yeah, I'm 63). Vector Graphics, and Ataris, and Cromenco.. and good ol CPM. We had Apple Sn 2, or maybe 7(?) arrive one day!! No case, just the pcb in a chassis! Today, this stuff seems soo complicated! But then again, I can remember flipping 16 toggle switches to write in 200 bytes for a boot loader, and then to push "Play" on the CASSETTE tape player! 8-bit Z-80s @ 4 Mhz, 64K of ram. And my first HD was 5 mb.. simply amazing!

This machine is a MSI G31TM-P21 w/ Intel E7500 @ 2.93 Ghz, 2GB Ram currently, 189 GB HD, but currently running 32 bit XP Pro. I loaded the MS 7 upgrade evaluation, which only listed video incompatibility. (And yet, I recently saw a video driver issue in Problem Devices.)

Glad you got some sleep.. I was up till dawn!

 

I'm 61 and wrote programs for Apple 2Es and 2Cs back in '89 — '90 and maintained a Mac lab with Mac SEs and then Classics running System 6.0.8.

But, back to the tasks at hand. What did you mean by change registration?

Hopefully, the rest of the info I gave you helps.

 

Mdonah,
Thanks for the explanation.. no problem. I first thought I'd just run this, and add some AV software.. but I ended up doing all the scans, and waiting for a review in Malware removal. I thought I had Autorun turned off, and used a flash drive, which had been used in a laptop with likely virus problems. So I don't know if I infected it myself in doing that. Let me know, if OK, to have these two threads open at the same time.

No problem on changing the registration.. I don't need more problems at this point. Esp, if it is set, and non-changable anyway!

I'll reply to Dr. Moriarty regarding what AV programs I have now loaded.. and let me know if you think Spyware Blaster is still needed or not.

I will follow your suggestions re: user accounts, boot disk and backup, after they have reviewed my logs. Thanks! No need backing up, if it has a virus, or needs some new "whatever" first.

MANY THANKS!!! You folks are amazingly helpful, and highly appreciated!
Jerry

 

Mdonah,
NIce to know I'm among good company in the "antique" computer department! LOL

We both replied at the same time..
The OS registration name in System Properties.. "Registered to:" was what I was asking about. It's my dad's amateur radio call sign. So I'll just have that as a nice reminder. I thought it might be important to change.. since it was not initially registered to me.

And I'll just reply here, that realizing that I was short on protection, I loaded Avast AV, Private Firewall 7.0, and they are running fine along with the Malwarebytes A-M Premium.

Also loaded AutoRun Eater (hoping that will help resolve any flash drive use issues). I want to scan both of those, if that is feasable to again use them safely. They have a huge number of photos, docs, Excel files, and some programs I hope to keep. Both were used on this other infected computer. But after reading some posts on the potential problems and potential hidden infections.. can I really do that??

The now loaded programs all seem to be working fine.. and I'm not doing anything that resembles Super-computer use these days. (Not that I ever did! LOL)

Appreciate your quick replys!

 

Unfortunately, that "Registered to" name can't be changed unless you were to do a clean re-install of XP. But, I wouldn't worry about it though as it doesn't affect the computer operation even if you set up a new Admin Acct for yourself.

Your Avast should be able to scan USB connected drives and quarantine anything it finds.

Of course, you're aware that Microsoft support for XP expired on 4/8/14. So, any updates you received in this last batch went up to and included those released on 4/8 (patch Tuesday for April) and the one they released a short time later because of an exploit that surfaced right on the heels of support end. You won't get any more security updates for XP. So, be cautious of sites you visit, files you download and links you click on.

 

May be repeating things already posted, but suggestions...
1. We use Avast (free) for AV (not what Mbam is for).
2. We use Mbam (free) for malware scanning.
3. We use Online Armor (free) for 'firewall'.
4. We use CCleaner (free) for 'cleaning' pc, it doesnt find more than needed and cause more problems than resolve.
5. You might want to run 'Windows XP Repair Install' from the xp install cd (hopefully you have it, and could copy it for backup), and I believe you may change the PC name from there, at least its a good way (maybe only way) of making sure xp is optimum. A good place to get directions is... http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm
Hope not TMI :-o

 

In Post #1, it is stated that the OP only has a Drivers and Utilities CD(s) for the MSI mobo and no other "Support" CD including an XP install CD. If the OP could get an OEM disk for that MSI machine, the OP could use Belarc, Speccy or Magical Jellybean to find the Win XP Product Key for the XP that's installed and use it on a clean XP install using the OEM disk.