Hi Bill,
You can simply use remote desktop which is a build in functionality in
Windows XP.
To use this functionality successfully you have to do a couple of things.
First go to System (right-mouse click "My Computer" and select "Properties").
Go to tab "Remote"and select both options and click on OK to save your
settings.
If your father has a router or some other intelligent device of some sort,
port forward 3389 (that port is needed to access you fathers computer). write
down his external ip adress (go to
www.whatismyip.com and write his ipadres
down). Go to Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Communications --> Remote
Desktop Connection --> enter the ipadres --> enter username and password (he
needs to have a password on his system or you won't be able to connect to his
pc) --> and you have finaly taken over his computer. You can do what you
want. When you are done let your father know so he can logon (when you
disconnect from his pc he won't know that you did that and he wil have to
login to be able to work further.).
Tell me if this helped.
Greetz,
Alex