Thanks all, I have ordered from both TigerDirect (mostly in my days of build your own from motherboard up) and Newegg. They have always delivered on component parts, may have even purchased some systems). I don't travel much anymore, still I like the idea of downsizing to no more than a 14" screen... the 13.3 looks attractive too. Then when at home, I use a Samsung SyncMaster LCD and full keyboard. My driving reason for looking continues. I am still using the troubled Gateway - subject of another post that I haven't visited lately - and last night when I shut down I first noticed I couldn't access my "Maxtor USB HDD" to do a data backup, I gave the shut down command anyway. The computer again hung up, but rather than force a manual power down I went to bed. This morning when I got to the Computer it had shut down. I hit the power button and it started what looked like a normal boot then hung with the (light) "blue screen of death". I decided to just ignore and go about some other work, but did put the Gateway recovery CD in the bay. I noticed the CD indicator come of briefly, but nothing more happened. Then, perhaps 3 to 5 minutes later, the computer booted.. and I am now using. Does this behavior suggest other than hardware problems? I had concluded the computer has an intermittent problem with the the internal HDD. Sorry for changing the direction of this thread, but it all hangs together in my mind.

I thought I had upgraded to IE7 at one point. Yahoo wants me to upgrade to IE8, but after reading about it here, I was reluctant to do so. I did go to windows updates last week to see if there were any I needed to do, but after scanning it said there were none. How do I get IE 7?

Mid-size laptop: The HP Pavilion dv6810us is a mid-size laptop, with above-average processing power and everything most people need for basic computing, entertainment and online communication. This model has premium features including powerful dual-core processing, a DVD SuperMulti drive and LightScribe technology. Dual core/64-bit processing: The 2GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-60 has two processing engines that work in tandem, providing much more power than standard 2GHz processors. This processor is also capable of processing 64 bits of information at once, twice as much as standard 32-bit processors. AMD PowerNow! technology enhances mobile performance and extends battery life. * This laptop features 3GB of DDR2 system memoryenough for the most demanding users, gamers and multimedia professionals. DDR2 is slightly faster than DDR, the previous standard in system memory. * AMD employs HyperTransport technology, which works like a fully-integrated frontside bus that increases bandwidth, reduces bottlenecks and enables processors to work more efficiently. The end result is better performance. * Processors search for the same data over and over. L2 caches keep this data neat, organized, and nearby so it can be retrieved more quickly. This 1MB (2 x 512KB) L2 gives the processor a little boost. Hard drive: This hard drive features a 160GB capacityÂmore than enough storage space for the average user. This driveÂs data disks spin at 5400rpm. The faster they spin, the faster the data is read and written. Go wireless: Built-in 802.11g wireless LAN gives you a fast connection to a wide range of networks and peripherals. 802.11g is backwards-compatible with 802.11b, so you can connect using the two most popular wireless standards. Built-in Bluetooth: Enjoy easy communication with PDAs and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. DVD SuperMulti drive: Use this drive to burn DVDs and CDs to share your files, music mixes or home movies. You can even burn DVD-RAM discsÂspecially-formatted discs that let you drag and drop, or write and rewrite your files up to 100,000 times. LightScribe disc-labeling: Burn custom, silkscreen-quality labels and images onto your discs with the same drive that burns the data. Widescreen display: This laptop features a bright 15.4" high-definition widescreen display with 1280 x 800 pixel (WXGA) resolution. Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit): This is the operating system for homes with advanced computer needs. And Vista Premium features the elegant new Aero interface. YouÂll be able to use your laptop more effectively and enjoy new entertainment experiencesÂall with the benefit of added security and reliability. Audio/video: This laptop features advanced NVIDIA GeForce 7150M graphics with 1071MB of total available graphics memory. This video memory is perfect for everyday activities like casual movie watching or gaming. The built-in Altec Lansing speakers provide compelling 3D sound. Media card reader: Seamlessly transfer images from your digital camera or camcorder. This 5-in-1 reader is compatible with Secure Digital, xD, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and MultiMedia Card. ExpressCard/54 slot: This laptop supports ExpressCard, an emerging standard in smaller, faster PC card solutions. This slot is also compatible with ExpressCard/34Âuse it to add memory, graphics upgrades, security devices and more. Elegant design: High-gloss HP Imprint finish encases the elegant, curvilinear form and is more durable than traditional painted surfaces. This laptop features a subtle HP-exclusive Radiance pattern that captures the emerging trend towards ornamental design. Instant cinema to go: Enjoy digital movies and music within seconds with the press of an external button and HP QuickPlay. Dedicated external controls let you to navigate your movies and music easily and quickly. Software bundle: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1, Works, Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), and Internet Explorer Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (with 60 days of live update) HP PhotoSmart Essentials HP QuickPlay CyberLink DVD Suite Muvee autoProducer Adobe Acrobat Reader HP Games powered by WildTangent it does have svideo and 3 usb ports more info at link I see that Office Depot has it for $599 Personally I like HP computers I own several and have had really good luck with them. I am also an AMD person and much prefer AMD processors to Intel, just my personal preference from my experience with both types, the turion is a much better processor than the celeron, and this is a faster processor, it is a 64 bit also instead of 32 which is a plus AND it is a dual core which is very good. The video card is not top of the line by Nvidia but it is decent. It has 3 gig RAM which is good since it has Vista on it. the 160 GB hard drive is a nice roomy size having a built in media card reader is a plus you can just take the memory card out of any camera and stick it in and upload the pics to the pc. Plus you can use memory card as extra storage and backup along with usb flash drives or hard drives. It is not loaded down with a ton of crap wear either, I would get rid of the wild tangent myself. over all it seems to be a pretty decent little laptop for the price. It is fine for basic use for sure and should be pretty fast. if you are getting there at office depot be sure you remember to print out those rebate forms.

* 17.0-inch (diagonal) WXGA plus High Definition BrightView Widescreen Display, 1440 x 900 resolution * 2.00 GHz AMD Turion X2 TL-60 Dual Core mobile processor with 512 KB plus 512 KB L2 Cache * 3072 MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm), 250 GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA), NVIDIA GeForce Go 7150M (UMA) with up to 1071 MB total available graphics memory * LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support, 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth * Windows Vista Home Premium, dims in inches: 15.16 (L) X 11.22" (W) X 1.65"(H) approx., 7.7 lbs. First off it is a beautiful computer really very nice looking. I personally like HP I own several and have had very good luck with them, I personally love AMD processors and that laptop has a great AMD Turion dual core processor, it has a generous 3 gig of Ram which it needs since it has Vista on it. It has a nice large hard drive 250 Gig. For a good general use laptop it should serve you well. I love the 17" laptops but they are much heavier however this one is only 7.7 lb so not terrible. here is a link with specs for anyone wanting to view it HP FE694UA Pavilion DV9910US Entertainment 17" Notebook PC Looks like a good choice. Yes HP did buy Compaq so they are now pretty similar, I am dedicated to the HP brand since that is what I have. it has lots of nice extras too. I would love to own it myself.