I purchased a used laptop (an older toshiba with xp) The previous owner said they wiped the system and reinstalled xp. Problem is they didn't and I'm still learning how to use this thing. I can't get past many of the passwords that they had for the administrator. in addition they erased some of the .dll files which I have downloaded but i have been unable to install them. any assistance in this matter would be appreciated. I don't know if it is allowed but i don't know what else to do.1 person needs an answerI do too

You need to do a clean install of Windows. The previous owner should have given you the installation media along with the system you bought. Otherwise it wasn't such as great deal after all. If you don't have the installation media, contact Toshiba and see if you can purchase recovery discs (if they have them for that model). If you can, fine. It won't be terribly expensive. If you can't, you'll need to purchase a full retail copy of XP for the clean install. Afterwards install all the drivers and laptop-specific software for that model machine from Toshiba's website. The alternative is to take the laptop to a local professional who will be able to do a clean install of Windows using a generic OEM installation disc and the Product Key from the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. This normally costs less than buying a full retail copy of Windows XP, but then you won't have the reinstallation media for yourself. http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What you will need on-hand MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!