Thanks for the suggestions so far. We do not have VOIP, this router (although marketed for Vonage) was a close-out and thus, cheap. We only use the internet connectivity part of the router. We have no telephones at all. There is no possibility that anyone else is using our bandwidth. For one, we are subject to FAP and believe me we would know (our allowance is 185 MB a day in downloads). Also, even though it is a wireless signal, it isn't that strong and someone would have to be on our road, on our property, pretty much right in front of the house to use our signal. So, no, there is no misuse of our bandwidth. We do not use a firewall. We have tried them, and simply did not like how much they slowed down our computers. The router nor the Hughes Net modem does not have a firewall. We don't want a firewall on our systems. I also feel that our antivirus and spyware programs are suitable for our needs- I don't want to add any more programs- our machines are not "souped up" modern machines but they serve our needs well. In other words, small hard drives and enough memory to do what we need to do. We use the Tea Timer in Spybot, along with the browser protection. At one time we had Spyware Blaster, but in recent months we just rely on SpyBot. We have well-maintained systems and adding any more protection programs would be overkill, in my opinion. We have used the internet for several years and have never had a virus or spyware. Our computers are used mostly for schoolwork, although we use do use webmail. We do very little pleasure surfing. The router did not come with any software at all. Only the user guide on CD.

If you find yourself still having issues after reinstalling the adapter at the Library on Monday. Always use the next choice. That's to boot the computer to Safe Mode with / Networking. Then try a connection to www.Google.com. Don't surf the Internet in this mode. If you can connect in this mode that tells us if a program is causing an issue such as a Firewall or Anti Virus. Restart the computer, keep tapping the F8 Key, wait for the Windows Advanced options Menu to appear. Using the arrow keys, select Safe Mode w/Networking. Then just see if you can establish a connection with www.Google.com

My guess is Netflix, hulu and such would not stream good over dial up but someone correct me if that thinking is wrong. I know I couldn't drop my cable like a few of my friends did. I like to watch shows when they are current and even when I use a few netowrks apps on my tablet to watch a show I miss some want me to log in with a provider so if you don't have one you are out of luck if you miss a show. I have time warner internet and TV, don't have a house phone so no need for their phone service. We have one box on the living room TV and that's it. We do have a TV in the bedroom but only get expanded basic on it, no box. I can access time warner live TV and on demand stuff on my laptop at timewarner.com when in bed or I can use the time warner app on my android tablet to watch live TV and on demand stuff up there so you might see if charter has that option of an app but of course you need wireless to do that. This saves me from paying for another box. I do subscribe to hulu and Netflix but don't have a roku for them and just use the apps on my tablet or watch from the computer, works for me as I am a big TV watcher myself and that's what I choose to spend money on. Now to convince the other half I need a 10" tablet for Christmas to watch movies on, he he. Mary

I have no opinion on McAfee having never used it. Read plenty of downside comments of course. Regarding anti virus I use AntiVir and Avast, one on each of my 2 main machines. I had been an AVG fan for years till version 8 appeared, it is still on one computer and running with no problems but removed from the other 2. On the firewall Zonealarm has been around forever providing a good free service. Recently I moved away as I had conflicts that I felt were induced by Zonealarm and now use PC Tools Firewall Plus, a free program. Anti malware, I use the 3 you mention plus Threatfire on one machine as it was offered bundled with the PC Tools firewall. I use one or 2 of these these every couple of weeks being sure to update the definitions before I run a scan. I have no particular preference. Spywareblaster runs in the background of course and only needs updating.