I have a used laptop on which I did a fresh install of Windows 7, naming the computer "HomeLaptop" at the time. I just double-checked and it still has (as one would guess) that exact same name as I gave it a month ago. However, browsing through the logs, I see whenever I telnet (using putty) to the unRAID server, I show to be logging in as "Greg-PC" ... clearly not the name I had given the laptop. Here is one of the log entries:

 

Dec 25 13:08:57 Media login[2081]: ROOT LOGIN on `pts/0' from `Greg-PC'

 

I also see the mystery "Greg-PC" when I issue the 'w' command. I've never named any of my computers that way, although the person who owned the laptop before me might have named it that. But after a clean install of a new OS, shouldn't that be a moot issue?

 

Lastly: searched the registry for "Greg-PC" and found nothing. Also, the router shows the laptop by the correct name. Also, other computers which I've used to login show their correct name. It's only one particular laptop that does this.

Well, Chris, you do look like Greg to me.

 

Maybe that used laptop was stolen from him? This is crazy - no idea where that name came from.

Not an expert here, but I would check the router - perhaps it needs a reset, and check the hosts files on both the unRAID server and the laptop.

Windows has two different things that could easily be confused with a 'login':

1) Your username - this is the name of your account, and it shows up at the top of the Start menu.  You can change this name at any time via the control panel

2) Your computer name/network ID - this is the name that shows up when you browse your workgroup, and this is likely the name that is showing up in your unRAID logs.  There is no simple way to change this name, the only way (as far as I know) is to do a full reformat (which erases all your data and gives you a fresh new operating system).

 

I believe if you go to Control Panel > System > System Info/Properties (or something like that, I'm writing this from memory) it will show you your computer name/network ID.  If you see 'Greg-PC' on this screen, then unfortunately your only recourse is to reformat your computer.  If this is too much hassle, then you'll just have to live with it.

I believe if you go to Control Panel > System > System Info/Properties (or something like that

 

There's a tab there "Computer Name", and it has a button "Change"

 

unfortunately your only recourse is to reformat your computer.

 

You are kidding, right?

 

 

I believe if you go to Control Panel > System > System Info/Properties (or something like that

 

There's a tab there "Computer Name", and it has a button "Change"

 

unfortunately your only recourse is to reformat your computer.

 

You are kidding, right?

 

 

 

No, I'm not kidding.  That's how its always been with WinXP and Vista, and I thought I remember being disappointed in finding out that Win7 wasn't any different.  Maybe I missed something (I hope so).

Doesn't sound right to me, fairly sure I have renamed windows boxes.  Maybe I'm not following exactly what you mean however since I'm not much of a windows expert.

I believe if you go to Control Panel > System > System Info/Properties (or something like that

 

There's a tab there "Computer Name", and it has a button "Change"

 

unfortunately your only recourse is to reformat your computer.

 

You are kidding, right?

 

 

 

No, I'm not kidding.  That's how its always been with WinXP and Vista, and I thought I remember being disappointed in finding out that Win7 wasn't any different.  Maybe I missed something (I hope so).

 

Won't you just stop for a moment, and think about how ridiculous it sounds?

 

I just renamed my WinXP and my Win7 computrs, confirming that I am not going insane.

 

Why would you keep insisting to "reformat your computer"

 

 

The hosts file sounded promising at first, until I remembered this is a fresh install (not an upgrade) of Windows 7, and a fresh install of the unRAID server. I can double-check the hosts file in Windows 7, but surely a fresh install would not have a "Greg-PC" entry in there.

 

And I, too, have renamed Windows boxes before, and without having to reformat them.

Have you considered legally changing your name to Greg?

Maybe your router?  Mine serves out DNS names of anything that registers with it as chris-desktop.config maybe yours does something similar?

 

Did you plug the laptop into your network / wireless before you rebuilt it?

Maybe I've just missed the appropriate setting that allows you to change the computer name for all of these years?    I'll check it again when I get home.

 

I honestly do hope you are right, since I've always thought that was one of the stupidest aspects of Windows.

Your confusion is understandable.

Nothing is too stupid for windows.

 

 

You can rename a machine... under system properties and then the computer name tab...  Though there are certain things that do not change like the SSID of the machine, not usually an issue for home computers.