Windows 7: Second hand PCs what to connect to non existent old domain

Hello Friends

I have 6 PCs which I got off a friend who wound up his business. The machines are set up to logon to the old now none existent domain.

When I switch on the machines the typical set up is this

CS-PC08
password:

I have no passwords

Switch user, none available, I do have an option to log on to another domain.

To Logon to another domain enter domain\user

To Logon locally it says, enter CS-PC08\local user name



I have no password or user names.

I cannot boot in safe mode or in safe mode with command prompt without encountering a logon screen.

I have downloaded Password Unlocker and whilst this allows me to change passwords and add users I still get the same logon screen and none of my new user names or changed passwords help.

I have no disks so cant do a reinstall.

Any and all ideas welcome.

Thanks

Looks like you will have to get into the bios and stop the computer from booting from LAN.
Can you not talk to your friend to get the passwords.

Hi Roy

He was the MD so doesn't know the passwords. I was in the BIOS today though getting it to boot from the USB. What should I change in there to stop it trying to connect to the LAN?

Thanks for your help!!

You could try to do a " .\ administrator " without the quotes and a blank password . If the .\ doesn't work try ./


You could open up a command prompt . Restart the pc and press F8 to get to the Advanced Boot Options and choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt .
Type:
net computer \\computername /del
That should remove the computer from the domain . Once you're done type in exit or press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart the PC .

To get the computer name of your pc in the command prompt type in HOSTNAME

Have a look at the boot order. There will also be a seperate part of the BIOS lower down for booting from lan, just disable it.

If you're in the BIOS look for something called PXE in the BOOT options . Mark PXE boot to disable .

If this is a Dell laptop try these steps :
1 Turn on your system.
If your system is already on, shut it down and then turn it on again.
2 Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message in the upper-right corner of the screen:
<F2> = System Setup
If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation, and then shut down the system and try again.
NOTE: For help using the System Setup program, press <F1> while in the program.
3 Press <Enter> to open the Integrated Devices screen.
4 Choose the option for your integrated network interface controller (NIC).
This option enables or disables the system's integrated NICs. The options are ON without PXE, On with PXE, and Off. The option On with PXE allows the system to boot from the network during every boot. Changes take effect after system reboot.
The PXE boot from the network enables the automation of a number of management tasks, such as the initial configuration of new systems, diagnosis of problems that prevent the operating system from functioning correctly, and configuration updates prior to booting the operating system. These remote operations can lower the costs of system administration and technical support.

Thanks for all your help guys.

I've disabled PXE, when it boots in still getting the same login screen. I've tried connecting to a domain I have here (after re enabling PXE) but it comes back with no log on servers available etcs)

More ideas welcomed!

Dogsy, welcome to the windows 7 forum.

My suggestion is to boot to a dvd/cd and completely install a new operating system. The userid/password is a function of windows that has been joined to a domain. Not in bios, unless your laptop was setup to boot from the server which I doubt.

Change the boot sequence to boot from the cd/dvd and completely format the c drive.

Lots less aggrivation than trying to figure out the passwords.

Rich

With the password unlocker you've got, it would be easy to create a new user or unlock the built in administrator account, and use it to login for the first time. As it's local, it won't try to find the domain server. When you're inside, just remove the computer from the domain and configure the local accounts as you like.

However, I second the option of a clean install after receiving an used computer. Maybe it's more work, but you are sure you have a brand new Windows according to your needs.

I also recommend a clean install. That way the computer will be the way you want it to be and not like they wanted it to be.