Replication Error

I have three questions?
1. I have a Sql server instance running without any name, it just has a
default name (local), when i try to go configure replication its says that
replication does not support (local) name. This server is in production
right now. And it will be hard to shut it down. Is there anyway to change
the name of the instance? Even if i unregister and re-register a new
server, will all my databses and plans, etc. will be the exact same as on
the last instance? Whats the best possible way can i configure replication
on this instance?
2. I was subscribed to a couple push subscriptions replication from a
different server, but that server no longer exists, but my server still goes
out and looks for the subscription, I tried to remove the subscription, but
i get the same errror like on the question one, "replication does not
support (local) name." so i can't remove the subscription. What can i do to
remove this subscriptions?
3. When i try to configure the Replication, its says that Server Agent uses
the local service account you need to change the account? Whats the Local
service account? Can two services not use the same local service account?
How do i need to set this up, to use the account? Do i need to create
another account?
Thanks for all your help.
1. Use the netbios name of the computer (select @.@.servername)
2. REgister the netbiosname as above in EM (after removing the local one).
3. This should be set as a domain user in settings, comtrol panel, admin
tools, services, SQLSERVERAGENT. This account should be a sysadmin in sql
server, and a local administrator. The easiest thing to do is to set the sql
server service and sqlserver agent to use the same account having the
attributes above.
You can use local system accounts to test replication when setting it up on
one machine.
Replication functions as a series of jobs running as the sql server agent,
so this account should have access to the snapshot share on the publisher
and access to the publication (more details in BOL, 'publication access
list' and 'replication security').
HTH,
Paul Ibison SQL Server MVP, www.replicationanswers.com
(recommended sql server 2000 replication book:
http://www.nwsu.com/0974973602p.html)
sql