Thanks to everyone for your help! Grandms, I already had an external HD and all data backed up before I got the error message, but it does seem much better to clone the drive. Ravencajun.. thanks for the links. I have downloaded the imaging software and have cloned my defective HD to the external HD. With that done, I am now going to start searching for a new drive(no warranty). I do have another laptop (same model) that has problems with the motherboard. I was thinking of taking the hard drive from it, but it's just as old as the defective one. These two laptops were bought at the same time for my daughter and I when she went away to college(abt 2007). Good or bad idea, anyone? My daughter's HP was replaced by a Macbook Pro about 6 months ago and I will probably buy a new laptop for myself soon. I was hoping the HP would last until I could make up my mind whether to stick with PC or buy MAC. New drive or daughter's old drive? PC or MAC?Any input appreciated!! Thanks so much to all for your help.

I found ask.com in default search options. I deleted it. There is also a: ask Jeeves UK.ask.com. Shouldn't I delete that also? I rebooted & that error message didn't come on. I just want to be sure before I delete it but think ALL traces includes the ask Jeeves. Dar

I had same error yesterday on a computer I was remoted into. I forget the program install it occurred on ..... I uninstalled/reinstalled updated versions of several programs on a xpsp2 computer. anyhow.. either an update to .net framework at microsoft... or maybe simply running her Internet Explorer for the first time ever was the fix. (her browser of choice, firefox 3.0 was one of the things I had uninstalled) Can't say for sure one of those is your fix.. but, I might try updating .NET .

Do you pay the premiums or does your hubby's retirement plan do so. I think the only way you can get the insurance is join, and I am surprised that a retirement plan would be able to offer such a plan. Please at least check you a local independant agent and/or like one poster said, with Social Security. You have some good suggestion here to help you out. As far as I know AARP does not offer insurance plans, but do offer supplements only, as Medicare, if you have it, is your primary provider. Is your husband's retirement a big company--small etc and what else do they provide (insist) the retires do. We are with Los Angeles County and we can choose anyone we want as our supplements. Please feel free to ask questions as we do have a lot of very knowlegable people here.