Q: We had a death in the family, and I inherited a Dell Vostro PC with Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2. Unfortunately, I cannot get into any of the administrator properties under User Accounts because I do not know the previous owner’s passwords.  Is there some way I can reset the computer back […]

Q: I’m stumped…I have Windows XP Home Service Pack 1 installed on my computer, yet I can’t seem to send or receive instant messages. Whenever I try to sign on to Windows Messenger I receive this message: Signing in to .NET Messenger Service failed because the Service is not compatible with the version of the […]

Some folks love instant messaging programs like Windows Messenger. They love to be interrupted, and they like to bug their friends. Other folks hate messaging programs, and they loathe seeing Windows Messenger slurping up memory as its dastardly little icon rests next to their computer’s system clock. Unlike most Windows XP accessories, Microsoft made Windows Messenger […]

Sometimes, the most useful features of a new operating system aren’t mentioned in the billion dollar marketing campaign. Here a few of my favorite tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Windows XP. None of these are earth shakers, but I’ll bet you’ll begin incorporating at least a few of them […]

As soon as you begin to type something — a Web site in Internet Explorer, for instance, a credit card into an online form, or several other items — Windows XP often races in to help. It sends down a little box, as seen below, listing items you’ve typed in previously. Some people find it […]