I have three different CardBus slot wifi cards for my xp laptop and each one has its own configuration utility. Once you stop windows from handling the wifi settings the card makers configuration utility starts and replaces the windows icon in the system tray. They Show everything around you wifi - one or more of them even show other laptop cards in addition to the available router or access point connections. I have a Dlink card, a HawkingTech card with a little directional panel antenna built on, and a Compex card with remote antenna connector. All have their own unique different connection utilities and all show channels, and signal strengths in percentages and decibels and levels of interference and modifications for settings,, much more detail and configurations than the default windows Zero configurations item. Tnis Vista laptop came with windows wireless configurations and additionally two other Toshiba wifi configuration utilities that work with the windows wifi configurator. I havent seen any method to disable windows configurator... yet.

Joe, Tnx. for the response. I finally got it back by "System Restore" going back as far as I could. It may have been caused by something I did when I had no connection. Phone line to house was replaced and that cured the connection problem. I must say that I've had problems ever since Yahoo became affilliated with AT&T. Don't know if that was line problem or not. Tnx. Agn. Grady

Gms, I don't do major backups either when updating, I just do work backups as I exit but the IE8 run wizard recommended it. I never worried but now do as my puter is getting antiquated and have seen all those complaints re IE8 that maybe I shouldn't take a chance. I was looking for IE7 but couldn't find the link to upgradeto that at MS. From what Mikie states it probably doesn't really matter what I upgrade to first. I'll let auto do that tonight and run IE8 tomorrow with or w/o full backup. I have Mozilla Firefox and will add another browser from recommendations seen here.

I had an issue for years with the computer and desk. We live in a mobile home (and will for a few more years because I'm a SAHM and we can't make a mortgage payment on just DH's income)and we have two kids, there is no "extra" room or space for an "office", every space is used up. When DD was on the way I suggested to DH that we could remove the hutch piece on our inexpensive desk and the bottom part would fit under the bar (counter) in between the kitchen and living room. The monitor set up on top of the counter. It worked but I hated the look of the desk, especially when I started to remove the fake wood furniture in the living room and replace my pieces with antiques. The style just didn't work at all! I searched for probably the last two years, trying to come up with a solution. I wanted to convert some old writing desk so we could use the computer on it, like add hinges to the front of the drawer to make a keyboard tray, remove the drawers and make a cubby for the tower. DH didn't see into my plans, though. A few months back we were in a furniture store buying a cupboard for DD's room and I came across a real wood desk that I thought may work in our home if I could just paint it black and distress. We ended up buying that desk and I suggested to DH that since we do not use the counter, we could just remove that and use the little cubby area for the desk. It has worked so well for us! I have never been so happy about my computer and desk! I enjoy spending time here each day! LOL I guess that doesn't really help you with your problem but my suggestion would be to open your mind and think out of the box. Maybe hit a few second hand furniture stores and just look at pieces and see if anything calls to you. Since you're putting your lap top on this stand, you won't need to worry about a keyboard or mouse or any extras so it should be easy! Hey! I don't know if this will work for you but my Gran had one of those MSN computers that only allowed you to access the internet. It was about the size of a laptop. She had it on her old treadle sewing machine table! It was a quite stylish desk and matched her decor. Could you do something like that? And find a nice old wooden chair or wooden desk chair?