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Computername on hard drive

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jblakley
(@jblakley)
Estimable Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 110
Topic starter  

Does anyone know how I can find what the computer name was from a file on the hard drive? The OS is Windows XP Pro, and I can't find where it's stored. I've looked in the Windows\system32\config folders, and brought System, and Software, into a hex editor, but I couldn't find it. I've also looked under Documents and Settings for the local Admin account, but I didn't see anything in there either.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
John


   
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keydet89
(@keydet89)
Famed Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 3568
 

The problem is that you're trying to open the raw Registry files (which are the right place to look) in a hex editor, when you don't know what you're looking at (I'm not trying to be mean, just kind of pointing out the obvious, I guess).

Either import the System file into RegEdit, or get the Registry Viewer from AccessData. I wrote a tool you can use, but it's probably not something you'd want to use.


   
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(@ash368)
Active Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 17
 

Naviagte to the following where you will retrieve the Computer Name and Volume Serial Number.

NTUSER $$$PROTO.HIV\Software\Microsoft\Windows Media\WMSDK\General


   
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rcw8892
(@rcw8892)
Eminent Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 27
 

From the System Hive

HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\ComputerName\ComputerName

Networking information
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

You would be better to view with an offline registry viewer.

The demo of Accessdata Registry Viewer is here
http//www.accessdata.com/downloads/current_releases/rv/rv-registry_viewer-1.4a.exe

I have used software called RegdatXP in the past for NT hives.

Also, you will find the machine name embedded within link files.


   
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keydet89
(@keydet89)
Famed Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 3568
 

Or, if you don't want do have to deal with a demo version, try the ParseWin32Registry Perl module…it's free, and remains free, regardless of how many files you open.


   
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(@brede)
Trusted Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 64
 

Computer name is also included in XML files in this directory %WINDIR%\pchealth\helpctr\DataColl


   
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