New laptop questions? Help! Bios and user

[pop80_uk]

Hey people,
Just a couple iof questions, we have brought a new (second hand) laptop.
On the whole very happy, just a couple of annoying points, can anyone help fix them!

1) The bios has a pass word, which we have to type in before the machine boots. Any idea on how to remove it? I have the password.

2) The machine is registered to "Heather4521" any idea on how we change this to our name? I think they must type in the name on install?

Thanks clever people!

[Raistlin]

Ok

1. If you look through the BIOS settings (when it boots there should be a notice telling you which button to hit to enter setup, it's usually 'F5' or 'Del' or something like that) you'll find the option to turn that boot password off.

2. Re-registering the machine is more tricky and is going to involve messing around with the registry, something not for the faint hearted. If it were me I would completely wipe the drive (the fact that it's still 'registered' to someone else tells me that all their data will still be on there anyway, and you don't want that hanging around if you can help it) and reinstall from scratch. Unless you've got the discs that came with it that could be a bit of a pain though

[soup dragon]

enter the bios on start up by pressing del or F2 you can remove the password there, you are correct with the registration, not sure if it can be changed without a re install

[CHiLL]

In the BIOS, the password is often located in the security tab.

[pop80_uk]

Darn, dont fancy a full re-install.
No fancy programs anyone knows about?

I shall try the bios thing now, F5 or Del OK.

Its a Toshiba Satellite Pro A40 if that helps?
I have a windows disc would that do it?

[MovedGoalPosts]

The Windows disk is for the reinstall / reformat. It doesn't actually take that long to do. Hopefully you also have the discs with all the drivers.

[AndyCambs]

For Toshiba the password is created by a Toshiba application.

[pop80_uk]

Originally Posted by AndyCambs

For Toshiba the password is created by a Toshiba application.

How do I fix it?
Thanks

[Axegrinder]

To change the registered username/organisation browse to this registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft \Windows NT\CurrentVersion\

And change the value under "RegisteredOwner"

[Halcyon]

Or just point to control panel, User accounts, select the account, then click "Change name".

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Or just point to control panel, User accounts, select the account, then click "Change name".

I thought they where referring to the registered owner of the machine not the user name.