VNC, Virtual Network Computing Windows/MSN messenger have remote desktop feature, Very nice, gives you remote control of a desktop .. but you have to accept the connection. Another words you have to use the desktop keyboard to initiate or accept the connection. With one of the VNC programs you just remotely connect with login/password and can remotely do things like rebooting/defrag/program installs, etc from your laptop without ever getting off your couch. Hdd ,,, thought everybody knew that one.. short for Hard Drive. If you map the full desktop hard drive(s) to your laptop you will have access to all programs and files it contains on your laptop just like another drive. Some of the configurations won't work unless you initially install the program on both desktop and laptop to build the registery keys but basic functionallity will work on most programs.

I think people's attitudes about getting/making recovery disks are like getting extended warranties for purchased goods: some want it always, some don't care. For me, having a recovery sector is enough. If more is desired, I think Crafty's comment about making your own (or making a disk image) is reasonable and easy enough to do. There's certainly no harm done. In 25 years of using and owning a few dozen machines, I've never needed to recover from a disaster or disk failure. You can interpret that two ways - you could say that shows that recovery planning is mostly unnecessary (I've got files backed up redundantly), or you might say I'm overdue for a disaster and it'll happen to me any day now.

I also live in the country and use dial-up, as that is the only thing available other than satellite. Satellite is 3x the price, and just not worth it for me... What is your connection rate? Mine is 46.6. If it is really low, you may be able to get the phone company to do something - but it is very difficult to get them to do so. Have them do a line test, etc. They are usually not very cooperative - but if you are persistant (and nice about it) the sometimes will work on getting better lines in. I do have a v.92 modem. Along with call waiting and caller ID it allows me to see if I have an incoming call and who it is. I can accept or decline the call. You would need to check to see if your ISP is compatible with the v.92. It will still work as a modem if they are not, but the call waiting feature will not work. Most people find it hard to believe that I can exhist on dialup, lol - but it works fine for me. Also, the free dial-up services do not have any local numbers in my area, so I am unable to use them...

you said you got a virus and know that is the problem, well that is not up to Dell support to fix, under any circumstance. Their support is for their product (they do provide online guides and manuals for each pc have you looked for yours), they are not there for assistance in removing infection. If you had a part that failed on the computer then they should help with that but something that is being caused by a virus that you got by doing something is not Dell's fault. Now I am NOT a Dell fan, I personally would not buy one. But any PC manufacturer certainly has the right to say no to that type of situation. If they have helped before they went way beyond the scope of their support requirements. I do own ACER and HP and would not consider calling either of them for help if I had an infection. This is why you should go to the free forum I listed and ask for help to clean your machine. Run a malwarebytes free scan How to download and install Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware application for Windows computers which may fix this problem. Go to an online AV and do a free scan there also ESET Online Scanner What antivirus is on your pc? is it fully updated and does it run weekly scans? what other antimalware scans do you run? Have you run the secunia tool to make sure everything is fully updated on the pc to help prevent any infections through out dated programs like adobe, java and flash? Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI) Let us know what you need assistance with and we can try to help you get it done.