Not really. I think the problem with re-installation of the operating system came because of the way she shut down the machine. Or she may have put something other than the intended password in when it asked for one and she couldn't get in to change it; I just don't know. She doesn't know what she is doing and knows no one that can help her as no one knows Vista. Even the Cox internet folks have told her to call Dell for assistance in setting up a second email account. I went online for her today via Webmail and Cox right up front has this warning about Vista:
Note: Cox High Speed Internet does not currently provide technical support for this operating system.
I would like her to get Thunderbird as an email client, but even if she doesn't, if she had XP lots of people know how to configure Outlook Express.
Well I think you should go ahead and install XP if thats what she is used too, however I would also leave Vista on so she can play around with it and get used to it. I think she would really enjoy Vista if she gave it a little time, I have become quite the Vista fanboy over its features and usually I am not so emphatic over something like this.
You are making this too complicated.
Thunderbird 1.5.X works on Vista.
here's a online video tutorial on installing thunderbird on vista.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xA7cP-qpdlI
Only difference to the casual user is that the "application data' folder in winxp is called "appdata" in vista, if you ever have to retrieve your mail folders.
The newest thunderbird 2.beta installation file works better with Vista, but it's not even a release candidate yet.