> But my question is -- I now have some
> settings I can't turn off. I'm using Windows
> ME on this machine and every time I open or
> resize a window I get that sound like a
> camera winding.

Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->Sounds A window will pop up with your Sound Events listed. It lets you change each and every sound that your computer makes, as well as the sound volume.

> Also, I'd like it to not
> animate the resizing. Where do I find those
> features?

This one, while I am not positive about, but you could try this, right-click on your desktop and select Properties. A window will pop up with a few tabs on it. Click on the Effects tab. There should be something in there that will let you change the animation effect.