BOB said:
Brother bought a used comp. that has XP PRO installed
Cutting you off right there.. Just to say this:
"If you buy a "used computer" - do *not* trust what is installed on it. Use
the media that should have been sold with it (CDs, DVDs, etc) and REINSTALL
the operating system and all applications you wish to use. You have *no
idea* what the last owner might have installed or done with that comuter -
and in any case - you likely want nothing to do with it. Why bring other
peoples problems into your home? Reinstall from scratch.
Didn't get installation media? Check with the original manufacturer of the
system for instructions on how to retore it to the "purchased state" - as it
may have a hidden partition.
Cannot do that? No way of reinstalling at all? You got taken.
but appears that it hasn't been updated to sp2 and
windows update won't do it for him. Further, I was trying to
walk him through putting a calendar in the startup folder
so the calendar would open at bootup. He tells me that
there is no "all programs" button on the start menu and
consequently he can't open the "Start up" folder
from the start menu. I have XP HOME but have fooled around with a
friends PRO a little and don't remember the two being that
different. Anyone have any ideas??
Things "left out"...
'...hasn't been updated to sp2 and windows update won't do it for him...'
What does that mean? What errors does he get? Why won't Windows Update 'do
it for him'?
The first thing I would assume in that first little bit of given information
is that your brother got a computer with a illigitimate copy of Windows XP
installed. It won't update because it is not a legitimate copy of the OS.
As for the calendar issue.. Just because he has Windows XP (actually
because he has Windows XP) doesn't mean his screen looks like yours. *grin*
Likely running in pure classic mode - where his system looks more like
Windows 2000/98 than Windows XP. That means his start button is a single
column and "All Programs" is not there because everything is just under the
"root" - or right there off the start button menu like *it used to be*.
Just have him list what he sees when he simply clicks on the start button.
Windows XP Home and Professional are not all that different where "getting
around" is concerned. It's a personal layout thing that makes explaining
how to do things in Windows XP so difficult.
My suggestion - your brother needs to perform a Clean Installation of
Windows XP and all applications he plans on using. That way his Windows
system will look more like yours and you can help him further. Also - I
refer back to my first response.. A used computer comes with its own
baggage that you do not likely want.. Start anew!
