I just went thru this exact (almost) procedure, getting my new Vista desktop to network with our Win xp computer with printer. Not so easy, but here are the instructions which work: 1. To set up the house network, on the Vista computer: Start-Control Panel-System and Maintaint.- system-computer name,domain,workgroup settings area on the screen, hit the "change settings" button, then system properties-computer name tab-change computer name/domain changes-in Workgroup type your home network's name-OK. Then to set up the printer, a huge pain, but doable: On the Vista computer: Start-Control Panel-add printer-add Local Printer (I know it's on a network, but this is the way to do it)-create a new port-default is "local port",leave it-next you have to enter a port name, this is the tricky part, you have to type in the path to the printer manually, the path should look like: \\your exact host computer name\your exact printer's sharing name. That's it. To check for the exact host computer name, go to the host computer, my computer, and a screen will come up with it's official name, use it, case sensitive. For printer name, go to host computer, printers area thru the control panel, rt. click the printer and properties. A sharing tab will show, click it, the exact name for the shared printer will show, again use it case sensitive. The above took me all day when I got my new Vista, hope it helps.

You shouldn't charge your laptop constantly. If you only occasionally take your laptop away from a power outlet, but leave it plugged in to charge 24/7, you're leaving your laptop in a state of perpetual charge at the 100% point and that is bad for the battery's long-time health. As mikie suggests, you might want to physically remove the laptop battery if you're using the laptop at your desk for long stretches of time. If you do remove it, don't store it in a fully charged or depleted state. It's best to store it in the middle -- between 40 and 50 percent of full charge. I've read it is best to store in a cool dark place (such as a drawer) and wrapped in a clothe. I do keep my battery plugged in all the time when I am at my desk but I do unplug the adapter till the charge is at about 50% then plug the adapter back in. It's not good to allow the battery to go completely dead either.

Sitting around here somewhere I've an HP laptop that I bought because I liked the look and feel - and it was on deep discount sale. I rarely use it because it has to be propped up to increase circulation or it overheats and freezes.

What operating system does it have? If it's windows 7, forget it. OE cannot be used with that OS. Download and try Windows Live Mail or Thunderbird. I tried both and finally decided to use Windows Live Mail. Don't like it as well as OE, but I'm learning to live with it.