Sounds like you have a pop-up blocker installed on your system.  Popular pop-up blockers are often included in toolbars like the Google toolbar, MSN toolbar, in addition to, the new Windows XP SP2 update.  A pop-up blocker can block Xanga pop up windows, like smileys, symbols, picture uploading (for Premium only), and Xangazon.  Typically, everytime a pop-up is blocked you'll hear a sound and the pop-up button will flash (Google and MSN), or a message will appear (XP SP2 update). 

Here are ways to fix the issue with the most common pop-up blockers being used.

Google Toolbar

When using Xanga, click the pop-up blocker button to add that site to your whitelist. (Please note that your white list is not displayed) Repeat this process as you find pages on Xanga where you want to see pop-ups (smileys, symbols, picture uploading, and Xangazon).

Another way for the pop up to appear is to hold the 'Control' key and click the link you want a pop-up to appear.

MSN Toolbar

On the MSN Toolbar, click the little downward arrow to the right of the Pop-up Guard button, and then click Pop-up Guard Settings. Click the "Allow List" tab. In the text box, type in "www.xanga.com" or the website where you want to allow pop-up windows, and then click "Add".

Another way for the pop up to appear is to hold the 'Control' key and click the link you want a pop-up to appear.

Windows XP with SP2 update

To fix this issue, make Xanga a non-restricted site.  To learn how to do that go here:

• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/security/settings.mspx

To read more about how the Pop-up blockers works on your Windows XP SP2, go here:

• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/web/sp2_popupblocker.mspx

Other Pop-up blockers

The best thing to do is look for 'settings' for your pop-up blocker and see if you can add Xanga on your whitelist, or allowed list.