4 easy steps problem

Hello ,
I have inherited a computer from a neighbor . She gave it to me while she was moving out of her house . This is what I know about it . It is a Dell . It runs Windows XP and has the service pack 3 installed . It is also still using her old passwords and such . I tried using the "How to Make Your Computer Run Like New in 4 Easy Steps" and can't get past the first step . When I try to download the IOBit program I'm told to log in as an Administrator . I think I may have changed the Administrator password but maybe not . Is it possible for me to even use this computer since I have no real info or access to it? The woman that gave it to me is gone so I cannot ask her for any thing such as passwords etc. What can I do ? Should I send it to the scrap pile ?
Thanks , Mike .

 

Thanks for the quick reply Tim . What should I look for in an installation disc ? Should I get away from XP ? I have heard some things about XP that scare me .
Mike .

 

OK Tim . I should have warned you that I am very inexperienced . What info should I get for you ?

 

Will this help?
Intel Pentium 4 , CPU 2.66 GHZ , 512 MB of RAM .

 

Yes , I can log into one of three accounts that are set up . We have been using this computer . My wife set up three user accounts for our kids . The oldest one needs to do some homework using the computer and I wanted to put this one in her room . Can I install more RAM ? Like I said the unit was free so I could see spending a little money to upgrade if possible .

 

I don't know if the crucial.com memory scan used to be an online scanner but it now requires the download of a scanner executable that runs a local scan. So, the scan is apparently not an option for the OP who needs (unavailable) Administrator access in order to download files.

BTW, not sure what's up with the crucial system scanner app. I ran it on Win 7 and it correctly discerned that I have 4 x 2 GB RAM slots (6 GB installed), then suggested that I upgrade with a 4 GB RAM stick :confused It also assessed my SSD as being 92% full, while in reality it's only 23% full. Just a heads up.