1. Never trust the errors that a computer illiterate is telling you. Always double-check the errors that someone else is getting before taking drastic measures, especially when the someone is not familiar with computers.

2. Never expect a monitor to work properly if the computer is set up to expect a larger monitor.

3. Insist that you do too know better than the non-computer-specialist on a computer specialist issue, even if you have to force the issue and it makes him pout/whine/cry/throw a tantrum.

4. Use tact when saying "I told you so" when the bogus install of Windows XP does too go inactive after 30 days, rather than sailing along merrily without registration. Fail to bitchslap the one you're saying "I told you so" to.