This could probably apply to any OS, but this machine uses XP. I have an answering machine program on my computer that is having issues. It's worked fine for a long time, but now is having trouble. It stops answering or announcing the calls. I've checked the hardware and can find no problems. Also completely removed it and the modem and drivers and reinstalled them. No hardware conflicts either. I was thinking of setting up a new user as a troubleshooter - one where there are minimal other programs running in the background. Is this a good idea? Suggestions about doing this would be appreciated. Please don't reply with 'stop the other processes one by one' as this is not an option - the problem does not happen often enough and is not repeatable easily - so this could take months!