I bought this computer at a garage sale for $5, and when I plugged it in, it worked, and is pretty decent, except that whenever I log out or boot the computer, this message pops up saying that my actions may be logged and if you do anything illegal you could be fired (I assume it belonged to some company before they got rid of them, it was a PIII and they probably wanted new ones), and you would have to accept the agreement before the login prompt would apppear. This message is really starting to bug me (makes me feel like people are watching me, creeps me out), so how do I get rid of it?

 

 

 

Edit: PC is running Win 2000

 

 

 

Any help would be appreciated.

Bump

Format the hard drive, reinstall windows or linux.

Format the hard drive, reinstall windows or linux.

Truth. Quickest and easiest solution to the problem.

Format the hard drive, reinstall windows or linux.

 

 

 

But then he can't go digging threw all the data the company will have left on the machine by not doing that before trashing it. :lol:

The PC didn't come with the disks to do that...

$5 for a computer!?!! It must be seriousely old and outdated... :?

$5 for a computer!?!! It must be seriousely old and outdated... :?

 

 

 

It's pentium III with 512 MB ram...

If it didn't come with the operating system disks then you don't have a valid windows licence. You'll either need to buy a copy of windows XP, or download a Linux distro.

If it didn't come with the operating system disks then you don't have a valid windows licence. You'll either need to buy a copy of windows XP, or download a Linux distro.

 

 

 

So you saying all the new computers from major retailers are not valid Windows installs? Just because they don't come with a disk doesn't mean it's not valid.

 

 

 

Technically if you have your own cd key that you payed for, you can use any Windows disk and it is legal.

So you saying all the new computers from major retailers are not valid Windows installs? Just because they don't come with a disk doesn't mean it's not valid.

 

I wasn't aware that the OP purchased a new computer from a major retailer, In fact I'm certain he said he picked up an old one from a garage sale. And the last time I checked, new computers do come with operating software either on a separate partition or on removable media.

If it didn't come with the operating system disks then you don't have a valid windows licence. You'll either need to buy a copy of windows XP, or download a Linux distro.

 

 

 

This is untrue. Windows is allowed to be transfered between owners as long as the previous owner no longer has a working copy using the same product key. Seeing that it's a P3, it's very unlikely the company that sold/dumped it is still using the key. If anything, the company that dumped the box is liable for letting their (now outdated) license key out into the world.

 

 

 

Just because he doesn't have installation media doesn't mean the install is illegal. All that truly matters for a 'legal' windows installation is a valid product key. MS doesn't care where that key or the machine holding the key goes after someone coughs up the cash for it's use.

A few tools to examine startup items may be useful, A2 Hijackfree seems to have most startup points covered, including sneaky ones.

 

 

 

http://www.hijackfree.com/en/

 

 

 

Was thinking of Hijackthis as well, but not sure if it covers all the autoruns, though it does generate a log that is common in situatioins where unwanted programs are being hunted for.

 

 

 

I take it we're probably talking Windows 95 or 98 here?

I take it we're probably talking Windows 95 or 98 here?

You'd most likely be maxing out at Windows 2000 or NT.

 

Being an ex-office computer I'd be willing to bet that's there's a high probability of it being Windows 2000.

... If you're going to post, post something helpful. Just tell me what setting to change to turn it off.

... If you're going to post, post something helpful. Just tell me what setting to change to turn it off.

 

Way to be ungrateful.

 

 

 

There is no single checkbox that will turn off all such warnings on any computer so don't expect one. You hadn't even stated what operating system, let alone what software it came with.

 

 

 

It's good to see Linux is finally reaching *cough* mainstream users.

... If you're going to post, post something helpful. Just tell me what setting to change to turn it off.

 

Way to be ungrateful.

 

 

 

There is no single checkbox that will turn off all such warnings on any computer so don't expect one. You hadn't even stated what operating system, let alone what software it came with.

 

 

 

It's good to see Linux is finally reaching *cough* mainstream users.

 

 

 

Ok, I said it in dispersed posts, so I'm going to say it once in one normal one, and only once.

 

 

 

I am running Windows 2000, the PC came with NO DISKS, and there is NO product activation key on the side. I can't tell you what software the message is generated by...

Try using regedit to (backup and then) delete the following keys if they are in your registry:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\system

 

 

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon

I am running Windows 2000, the PC came with NO DISKS, and there is NO product activation key on the side. I can't tell you what software the message is generated by...

 

You edited in the fact it was running Windows 2000 *after* complaining about not receiving help.

 

 

 

Linux installation disks are not exactly hard to come by and don't require a sticker on the side of your PC. You were also given a direct link to a startup editor which I'm willing to bet you didn't even look at.

 

 

 

If you want further help I suggest you start being a little more polite and attempt to help yourself rather than expecting other people to tell you precisely how to remove a mystery piece of software you have posted virtually no information about.

 

 

 

Google is your friend also, I doubt (actually, I guarantee) you're not the only person ever to have had this issue. Hint: "logon warning"

could you provide a little more information, like the name of the program? For 5$ however, it would be worth clicking through an annoying menu at startup, as for that price you would have a hard time finding a windows 95.

could you provide a little more information, like the name of the program? For 5$ however, it would be worth clicking through an annoying menu at startup, as for that price you would have a hard time finding a windows 95.

 

 

 

No more information is needed, the solution has been given and the name of the "program" is Microsoft Windows 2000.

well is the window generated by windows, or is a security program on the computer doing it?

well is the window generated by windows, or is a security program on the computer doing it?

 

 

 

For crying out loud... it's a standard feature of windows 2000 up, nearly every organisation on the planet uses it to ensure that all users of their network have agreed to (even if they haven't read) the conditions for acceptable use of the computer systems.