Help! Need a Windows XP expert

[DEMActivist]

Serious problem for a friend regarding remote access of the computer.

Please PM me if you can help.

[wuushew]

1. XP sucks use Windows 2000 instead

[GAspnes]

2. pass

I spent all day yesterday doing 'friend support' on an XP system, and all day today on another "this will only take a minute" problem with MS-Word and WinME.

I should send Microsoft a bill.

[bpilgrim]

3. another overlooked benny of being a mac user ;-)

peace

[thermodynamic]

4. Well, if you want a low cost alternative that WORKS

try Linux. Distribution packages don't cost much and the daring can download and install the distros for free.

It's different than Windows, but the bennies readily outweigh any downsides Linux may or may not have.

And Macs are too expensive to seriously consider, Apple has got to drop the prices to PC levels. (My PC cost $550 to built, has a 2.2GHz processor that outperforms a Pentium 4 at 2.8GHz, has 1GB of 33MHz CAS2.5 RAM, 200GB HD, top speed GeForce 4600 FX video card from Nvidia, and Linux which makes great use of Nvidia's products. My system is rock solid stable and runs blindingly fast, putting all competition in the dust. I'd have to spend over $2000 for a similarly equipped Mac. :P :P :P :P :P )

[bpilgrim]

11. mac gives you the best of both worlds

and not everyone has the time, inclination or knowledge to put their own machine together.

and when we are comparing simularly configured off the shelf boxes the price difference is negligable these days.

you can't get some new material here though ;-)

http://xvsxp.com

peace

[DS1]

5. ahh, the usual 'use a different OS' help responses

why the PM requirements?

Just spell out the trouble here without specifics like IP addresses and get maximum exposure.

Google groups is a GREAT resource for tech problems, btw

[DEMActivist]

6. Why the PM requirements....

I don't know XP at all and can't understand/relay the problems well. There are a multitude of problems and I didn't know if they were real or imagined because I don't use this XP slop.

I was going to hook up the 2 (while paying the long distance bill) to get help.

Not to worry, though, it's been taken care of.

[Kellanved]

7. please specify

"remote access" is not specific enough for me. I might be able to help; I can't promise it however.

Most basic qestion: does he want to turn RA on or off.

[DEMActivist]

8. RA has become the ONLY option available

in the Communications folder. No way to "Create New Connection" at all. The only option available in the Communications folder is Virtual Private Network.

The DSL icon has now become "Remote Control" icon and leads to a registered DLL, not an executable.

[Kellanved]

9. Sorry

I can't help you there. My approach would be trial and error - an approach not working too well with indirect communication/ no access to the system in question.

[DEMActivist]

10. Yep, there's the problem

Friend can't get online to walk through the problem.

[billbuckhead]

13. Re-install Windows?

Isn't there also some way to revert all settings back to "original" in the control panel? I'm in front of Mac now so I can't play with it

[DEMActivist]

14. Attempts to restore are unsuccessful

Here's where my information starts to fall apart. My friend says "I can't do that - the option isn't there." Whatever that means????

[Nlighten1]

12. I'm an XP expert

what is wrong?

[DEMActivist]

15. Most of what I know is in this thread (above)

That's why I said PM. My first hand knowledge is non-existent.

Sorry.

[monarch]

16. To Nlighten1-Are you in a problem-solving mood?

I got the "windows did not start successfully" message. The safe mode etc. stuff doesn't work. The "stop C000218 cannot load hive" and "beginning dump of physical memory" message passes by so fast that I can't read it all and after what seemed like an hour with the Dell guy, I got cut off. Pressing the pause button and the space bar did not cause the message to stay up. The last thing we tried was using f8 and I think that's where I lost him. I am a complete loser as far as computers go, so what do I do now, just take it somewhere local? The computer is a one yearold inspiron 8100.