Q: I’m considering Windows 8 but don’t know if my current computer is capable of the upgrade. Any quick way to figure out if I need a new computer or not? — Donald

Q: I’m in the market for a new computer; when will Windows 8 be out and is it worth getting? — Stanley

Q: I keep seeing ads for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview that I can download to test out but not sure if I should. What are your thoughts? — Paula

Q. What are the differences in the new Windows Vista versions that are about to come out? -Jeremy

Q: Our computer is about twoplus years old and seems to be slowing down. I (checked) the Task Manager and (have) 62 processes. Now I need to know if a person can clean up his own computer, and what is involved in doing that, or do I need to take it to a professional? — Arnold

Q. I like to insert pictures in my Microsoft Word documents, then add text near the picture, but when I try to enter the text, the picture starts moving. Is there some way to anchor the picture so I can type around it?

Q: How do I locate my teenager’s password on Windows XP? When we got the new computer she set herself up as the administrator (password protected), and I have recently determined she has been in sites inappropriate for a teen. However, I can’t remove her as an administrator and limit what she can do on the computer without her password, and she’s not talking. - Kathy

Q: How do I locate my teenager’s password on Windows XP? When we got the new computer she set herself up as the administrator (password protected), and I have recently determined she has been in sites inappropriate for a teen. However, I can’t remove her as an administrator and limit what she can do on the computer without her password, and she’s not talking. - Kathy

March 28, 2005

Q. Maybe I'm just annoyed with Windows XP in general, but every time I launch it, a screen appears that tells me Windows XP is starting. I know Windows XP is starting because I'm the person who started it. Duh! Is there any way to avoid that screen completely?

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. says incomplete portions of the source code for some versions of its Windows computer operating system were leaked over the Internet, but analysts caution it's too early to say how much damage the leak may cause.

WASHINGTON - Microsoft Corp. warned customers Tuesday about unusually serious security problems with its Windows software that could let hackers quietly break into their computers to steal files, delete data or eavesdrop on sensitive information.

Q. Help! I think my son managed to get a CD stuck in the CD drive. When I try to open it, I can hear the drive making noise, but the sliding tray doesn't move. I was poking around my computer trying to fix it and discovered that in "My Computer," if I click Drive Information, I get a message that says, "D:\ The Directory name is invalid," but I know the CD drive has always been the D drive. Any idea what's going on?

Q: My computer seems to be doing things when I am not using it. The hard drive light flashes, my Internet connection shows activity even when I don’t have a browser open. Is there something in my system or am I just paranoid? — Josh

Q: I have tried to use various programs to stop pop-up ads, but it seems like they just keep coming back. What can I do to stop these darn things? —Julie

Q: What do I need to do to protect my computer from the "blaster" worm? — Ray

Q: How do you use the System Restore feature in Windows XP? — Josh