Old laptop help

VPN
1

I graduated a few years ago and am still using my Rose laptop but I can’t approve things with an admin login.

When I try using myusername\admin as the username it says ‘We can’t sign you in with this credential because your domain isn’t available. Make sure your device is connected to your organization’s network and try again’

I tried installing a VPN to sign back into campus WiFi but I can’t install one without admin approval. I just want to download some software! I’m a not-very-computer-savvy ME and would love if anyone can help.

2

Id just do a fresh install of windows.

3

.\localmgr is the password I remember for the admin account

4

Hopefully someone can give you an answer… that being said.

“Old laptop”, that’s not old, I’ve got a freshman class of ‘98 laptop if anyone is interested in seeing that. It has a touchpad which I think was pretty revolutionary at the time.

5

Do you have a pin set up? Before my laptop got stolen I used to be able to get around that by:

From the window requesting admin: “sign in with another option” (wording may be different)—> use pin —> enter your pin

I may be misremembering slightly

6

I set up my main account to be an admin account within a week of getting it, so no idea

7

to clarify why: IT at Rose imaged it with a domain joined Windows setup (like a work or school computer). Now that you are away from the campus network your PC can’t Talk to the domain. Fresh install Windows for home use will make it usable like a “normal” laptop.

8

That sounds intimidating but if it’s the best thing I’d do it. A quick Google shows instructions for doing it from the ‘Refresh Tool’. Would that be sufficient?

9

What would the username be?

10

The one I got in 2001 still runs just fine except for the LCD screen (I just use an external monitor in mirror mode). It still even has all my old e-mails on it, and I never once permanently deleted any of my emails, so it’s a real treasure trove of nostalgia I need to go through sometime.

11

Haha yeah I don’t mean old like it’s past it’s usable life, just no longer on campus or supported by EIT

12

I don’t see that as an option, just using different accounts.

13

It’s really not that intimidating. There’s plenty of tutorials on how to do a fresh install on YouTube and such. You just need a usb stick with about 8gb+ of space. The more intimidating part imo is making sure you have everything you need off it before wiping, even then, just be careful and double check everything. Although you do have a couple other options.

Your laptop most likely has a slot for expansion storage. Buy an nvme ssd and put a fresh windows install on that. Then you can keep your old install around till you feel comfortable erasing it.

Your final option imo is the worst. I believe windows has an option to do a full reset on an existing Windows install. Although I’m not confident that will take care of the laptop still being managed by rose. You will also need to approach the task of backing up your data in this case as well.

Edit: sorry I read your response incorrectly. I think youd be better off doing a full wipe instead of a refresh. Here is some instructions on how to make one. Here is a YouTube video explaining how to do the install it’s self. You will basically need to go into the bios of your laptop, boot off the windows install media, then go through the windows setup.

14

Ok thanks! I’ll check it out

15

Success! It took the better part of a day and a lot of YouTubing but it worked and I’ve got a fresh install. No more excel though :confused: but well worth it