[R. Scott]

The Microsoft technology uses an ActiveX tool to force the user to go through an authentication check before he is allowed to access certain download sections on the Microsoft.com website.

My new laptop has Windows XP – but without a necessary ActiveX. Because of this I am unable to access my website server. I am also having a problem trying to use all the material I have on Word 97. Patches don’t work, and Dell blames Microsoft and Microsoft blames Dell.
I was hoping to be able to rid myself of the desktop and once again have a desk I could use. Nope. I continually run into problems with the automatic “protections” built into XP. I have never had a virus – other malware yes, but nothing really destructive.

I never thought I’d bitch about Microsoft – but here I am doing it.

[konaice]

I was hoping to be able to rid myself of the desktop and once again have a desk I could use. Nope. I continually run into problems with the automatic “protections” built into XP. I have never had a virus – other malware yes, but nothing really destructive.

Well, while you still have the all the Restoration CDs Nuke it all and install SuSE 9.3. (In fact you can install SuSE WITH windows still on the box and it will shirnk the windows partition for you).

SuSE comes with at least 3 office suites, and the will read and write Office Documents just fine.

[razorback-bert]

I have a Inspiron 8600 and have no problems for the eight months I have had it.

I use XP and office 97.