Re: About Windows XP Home

Answer to PC FROM DAUGHTER
A brief explanation( just in case, you need a introduction) your pc is a bunch of cables and things controlled by a set of instructions called OPERATING SYSTEM.
Operating systems(OS) come in 3 main flavors for home users, windows, mac, linux.
Windows: most popular OS, easy to set up, everybody knows it, difficult to maintain running efficiently for most users, average prices.
Mac: less know OS, easy to set up?, easier to maintain?, easy or average to maintain running running efficiently?, expensive options, I don't have much experience with system.(expensive, lol) but definitely better than windows
Linux: even less know, recently easier to set up, easier to maintain, easier to keep running efficiently, more difficult to find a actual person who uses it, although lot's of help online. the least expensive option, FREE usually. You can use different PC machines: old ones, new ones, inexpensive, expensive. Different flavors cover different machines. Mind you sometimes it takes a few specific instructions, usually easy to find in the internet.

Your pc is possibly virus infected or very meddled up. Usual in windows...Usually there is a serial on the side of the machine with a license to the machines software, get a install disk, reinstall, if You can't update usually a talk to microsoft will fix that, just tell them your original XP install CD got scratched.
Now if machine connects to the internet...you need to learn some things about viruses, spyware, protection techniques. Also how to reinstall from XP install cd or from image. Image reinstall is more technical but is easier once mastered.
Get a tech friend or become one......

Another solution is to contact a local linux club, get some help to install a major linux operating system in that pc you got.
The cons are: it's different, not everybody knows linux, less games to pick from..
The pros are: easier to set up, more stable, safer, free software, you can also pay if you want more support, not needed really,

Linux has become easier in the last few years, Very different beast from a few years ago. Linux enthusiasts are more likely to help you. They have become more...friendlier....usually....lol. And usually a linux entusiast will be willing to help you set up your machine on spare time.