Clueless???

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Hi there everyone/anyone!
I haven't got a clue when it comes to computers and I am open to any suggestions that may help.I have been given this computer and it is very old.I can't give you specs as I don't know where to look for them.It runs on Windows 95.
I have been trying to improve my communication options by trying to access instant messaging.I have found a file on this computer CCHAT which is Microsoft chat.I used this to access the chatroom through Freenode.That works fine as everything but user name was done for me.I have signed up with Yahoo hoping to access instant messaging there.I am finding that more often than not,that most sites have a minimum system requirement of Windows 98 and Internet Explorer 6.I do not have these.
Is there a way I can use program that I already have by changing something?If so,what do I have to do?Need basic step-by step instructions.Or any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Also I have tried to sign up at Hotmail but user name is not being accepted then strange message saying that an illegal operation has occured appears and Explorer automatically closes.I am only try to sign up I am not trying to do anything suspect.I have tried changing user name nearly twenty times and I always get same result.
Buying a new computer and programs are not an option for me.
Thankyou for your time,effort and energy.Goldie-06.

Hi Goldie

It would be very helpful if you could provide us with the details of your computer's hardware. How much RAM it has and how big the hard drive is are the most important points.
You will not need to buy new software at any point, although if your computer is more than five years old you might want to save up a little bit of money and have some more RAM installed (a very simple task, and will cost you less than $50 - if you ask around someone might even give you some for free because it is so old it is virtually worthless to anyone with a newer computer). RAM is computer memory (Random Access Memory) and will make the computer 'think faster' because it can remember more things at the same time.

About Hotmail: there are several million users of Hotmail. That means there are several million usernames already taken. Most people add numbers to the end of the username they'd like to have to make sure it is unique and that no one is already using it. Give that a go and see if you have any luck (just make sure they are numbers you will remember!)

About chat programs: your best bet is to download something calle Trillian. It is a program that works for MSN, Yahoo Instant Messenger (YIM), AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ and all the other major instant messenger networks all at once. It is very easy to set up, and will most likely guide you through the process with a wizard (meaning it will ask you all the right questions when you run it the first time after installing, if not during the installation).
Trillian is free. For a version that will work on win95, go here: http://www.winplanet.com/file/14088.htm
You don't need to pay for the upgrade, that would just give you extra features that aren't required for everyday chat stuff. It will also let you connect to IRC (Internet Relay Chat, which is where the wrongplanet chatroom is) if I remember correctly.

About Explorer crashing. Sadly, this will always crash online now. Microsoft updates their software constantly and what you're trying to use is over 11 years old and so has been left by the wayside in favour of 'security updated software'. Yucky microsoft! So browsing the internet with Explorer isn't a good idea. You will need to download a different internet browser (Explorer is a type of internet browser) and I recommend Opera. It will work with your operating system.
To download Opera, go to: http://www.opera.com/download/index.dml ... ws&local=y
This should stop stuff from crashing.

So, a new browser, a chat program, wrestling with Hotmail. That should cover the communications stuff.
The computer itself will most likely be left wide open for spyware, viruses and sneaky bad programs seeing as there won't be any antivirus software on it. If at all possible, I STRONGLY recommend asking around to get some more RAM (try asking people using Freecycle, you will find it in Yahoo Groups - type 'freecycle' and your area into any search engine and it should point you in the right direction) and once you have that get a computer-knowing person to install it for you. Then, ask that computer-knowing friend if they have a more recent version of Windows that they could install for you (most people have at least one CD floating around their house with it). Fresher windows operating system means less errors, less chance of viruses and Bad Things happening to the computer, less crashing and more compatibility with programs you might download.
Do NOT pay for any software! In the land of the big internet, that is a very unusual thing. If something asks for money, ignore it! Close the window! Make a silly face at it!
If something seems strange, copy and paste (or type) the error into google.com's little box to see what it means. For reference material and further learning, use www.wikipedia.com (a big internet encyclopedia).

If you need a hand with anything at all, email me at [email protected] and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction (especially if my instructions aren't clear enough - it's 7:40am here and I haven't been to sleep yet!)

Thankyou cheesecheese,
for getting back to me and for your many suggestions.I new it was a big ask when I placed this post here but I thought I have nothing to loose.And instead of remaining in the dark there just may be a light at the end of the tunnel.I will work through your list of suggestions and will let you know how it all goes.Once again thankyou for your time,effort and energy.Goldie-06.