re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

Internet Explorer 6.0 or 6.1 or 6.2?! Maybe this is the problem...
How about trying out a different Browser as a solution, as there are plenty to choose from: Avant, Chrome Beta (Google), Firefox (Mozilla), Flock, Internet Explorer 7.0, Internet Explorer 8.0 Beta, K-Meleon, Maxthon, Netscape, Opera, Safari (Apple), SeaMonkey. These are all licensed as Freeware.

You mentioned a reinstallation of XP...Did you do a 'clean install'? If so, did you format your hard disk drive beforehand and after installing XP did you install all XP service packs and updates plus all applicable hardware drivers?

Does your Microsoft Word version have all its Office updates installed?

Did you just simply reinstall XP over your existing XP installation? If so this can be a recipe for disaster...any preexisting system hangups may still lurk around.

Apples are okay but they may not keep the doctor away...

Maybe its time to purchase a new PC.
If you are in Australia then grab yourself a copy/issue or a few of PC User magazine.
A great read and plenty of interesting info on tempting, gleaming, shiny, whirring, stunning, buzzing and purring PC systems plus technology...

re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

Internet Explorer 6.0 or 6.1 or 6.2?! Maybe this is the problem...
How about trying out a different Browser as there are plenty to choose from...Avant, Chrome (Google),

re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

Well, they are trying to cater for millions of un-savvy computer users so do a bit of research and bring yourself up to speed, and remember it does`nt matter what OS or SYSTEM you are using as there will always be some glitches.

We are only human afterall so we are not perfect.
Frank N Stien

re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

Here's one for the 'conspiracy nutters'.......maybe your computer is playing up (intentionally, by Microsoft itself)?
What a better way to be done...to get people to 'upgrade'...to Vista, than for Microsoft to keep 'botching' the 'required updates'....to make you think seriously about upgarding to Vista?

Or, you could put it all down to the lousy 'service'...you are getting from your ISP? (Hmmm, you know, the constant 'drop-outs'....their 'need' to do 'maintenance' on their 'Internet Service' whenever they feel like doing it...and, never tell you that they're doing it.)

OR,(this is my theory, anyway).....that you have done something to your computer yourself.....and, as usual, you're always 'blaming someone else'.....for your very sloppy computer skills.
In truth, I'll take 'Option No.3'...every time.

re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

Getting a bit impatient with the MS patches? Sometimes they do happen esp now with SP3. I suspect sometimes the other applications already resident may need to be reinstalled or if worse, then go along to the net to install the latest version of the software. IE7 works ok. Did you know that you reinstall Mac software twice or thrice and you get three copies of the installation on the OS, while for XP it overrides the previous copies. Windows is clever eh?

re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

Microsoft botching updates? No, sounds like user botching systems...especially since your answer is I'll go buy a Mac.

re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

With so many millions possibly billions probably trillions of combinations you can have that make up the PC I think people need to back off a bit and realise MS is doing an OK job.

Having said that get Firefox

re: Can't Microsoft get it right?

hi,i installed explorer7 some time ago also my computer is fully updated and i dont have any problems perhaps the fault is being caused by something else,oh by the way,as paul zucker stated macs also have problems--cheers--