I recently bought a second-hand IBM Thinkpad T43, with Windows XP Professional (genuine) over the internet. It has a problem I've never encountered before and has me stumped. It doesn't want to execute any changes to its default settings in the Control Panel.

For example, I wanted to switch off sounds. I selected the 'No Sounds' sound scheme through the control panel, LIKE I have done on every other laptop I have. But it still makes sounds! When I go back to check, the 'no sound' is still showed as being the selected sound scheme.

Another example. Under the default power scheme, the screen goes to screensaver after 5 min of inactivity. Whatever amount I change it to, it still goes to screensaver after 5 min. Regardless of the fact that in the power options, it will display the time I put in.

So it accepts any changes, it just doesn't execute them.
My user account is set as the Computer Administrator.Crete a new user with administrator level. The new user should be fine.Wow...CLICK "APPLY" after SELECTING the customize options.
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I recently bought a second-hand IBM Thinkpad T43, with Windows XP Professional (genuine) over the internet