Using Windows Chat in Windows XP
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Chat Overview
You can use Windows Chat on your computer to communicate with someone on another computer. Both computers must be connected to the same network (for example, a local area network [LAN] or the Internet). Also, each computer must be running a similar protocol, such as TCP/IP.
Chat is interactive. You see a reply to your messages as the other person types it. The Chat window is separated into two panes: one contains the messages you send, and the other contains the messages you receive.
To Start Windows Chat
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type winchat, and then press ENTER.
To Make a Chat Call
On the Conversation menu, click Dial.
Click the computer name, or type the computer name, for the person with whom you want to chat, and then click OK.
When the person with whom you want to chat answers the call, begin typing in the Chat window. You cannot begin typing until the person you are calling answers.
If the person you are calling does not answer, or you want to end the call, click Hang Upon the Conversation menu.
The messages from the person with whom you are chatting appear in the lower pane or the right pane, depending on how your Chat window is arranged.
To Answer a Call
To answer a call, click Chat, which appears on the taskbar when someone uses Chat to call your computer. Or, if your Chat window is already open, click Answer on the Conversation menu.
Note that you must have Chat running or have the Network DDE service started to answer a call. To start the Network DDE service:
Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.
Double-click Computer Management, double-click Services and Applications, and then double-click Services.
In the Details pane, click Network DDE.
On the Action menu, click Start.
To have the Network DDE service start automatically every time you start your computer:
Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.
Double-click Computer Management, double-click Services and Applications, and then double-click Services.
In the Details pane, click Network DDE.
On the Action menu, click Properties.
On the General tab, in Startup type, select Automatic, and then click OK.