I was able to flush the dns on both the xp and vista laptops. But I still can't connect either laptop wirelessly to the "fmaily room" network (which is still unsecured). I cannot access the Nat,spi or firewall soI don't know if that's the problem. Both laptops show a strong signal (full bars) to the family room network - but don't connect. They do connect via wired connection (does this mean I have so far created a network switch). On both laptops I selected "family room" as the preferred network to connect to. But both connected to my Lynn network (from the opposite corner of the house - with only a weak signal). On the Vista laptop it says Windows cannot connect to "family room" - and when asked to connect to family room, it said "Windows association failed due to an unknown reason." When I selected "diagnose and repair, it said Windows did not find any problems with your Internet connection." Then I tried one further thing. I saw on the Vista laptop that it still listed the family room network as having WPA2 security - so i changed what the laptop had for listed for family room network to reflect no current security settings. Then I tried to connect again. It wouldn't connect. Then I clicked repair/diagnose - and it said "this network is marked as a "hidden" network and is either not in the range of this computer or the wireless settings saved on this computer do not match the settings of the network." It is in range of the network - 3 feet away and receiving a full strong signal. So perhaps the network settings do not match the router or access point (although I'm not sure where to look to check this since I think I set it all up to match). The other thing is says is "if you own or set up this network, reset your wireless router or access point and try connecting again." Should I try this? Does it mean unplugging SMC access point, linksys router and modem - waiting and replugging them in? If so, in what order? Or does this mean resetting the SMC completely and starting from scratch? So now what? Jane - I realize that Mikie's the guy - and I very much appreciate his help. Those links helped me get clearer on definitions, but don't really get specific enough to address these set up complications. Thank you. Lynn.

Thanks for the info. I'm still not real clear what I have and what I need, however. I looked up my device manager in my new computer and found Marvell Yukon 88E8039 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller. Is this the ethernet connection on the back of the computer or something else? If I do not have WIFI capability and it would take returning my computer to the geek squad to have a card installed, would USB adapter not work instead? Is it your opinion that this is not reliable or exceptable? The laptop is WIFI ready so it is not a problem for that computer. Is there anything else other than the router that I would need for the laptop? On a related note, would it make more sense for me to hard wire all of the stationary computers(hence running ethernet wires all over) and just setting the laptop up for wireless? I appreciate the time you have taken to educate me! Its been a while since I have taken time to read up on technology and now I'm in a time crunch.

Higgins: I'm glad you like CCCleaner. I feel better about using it than IOBIT, as I used it more than once several years ago. It has probably changed in the meantime, but will probably feel somewhat familiar. Yes, I understand that I can only stop things from starting up when I uncheck them in msconfig. There are times when that is necessary--from my point of view, if not that of the developers. Bugspop: Hopefully, hubby and I will not be dealing with Windows 10 until it is unavoidable in 2020, but knowing the evil day will inevitably come (I hate the colors and prefer icons to the rectangles in the "metro" look. [I realize they are not calling it that anymore, but don't know what adjective to use.]); so I have been collecting hints and articles on managing Win10. Your hint will be useful. Thanks!

You may be very warranted to to have the reaction you did based on your experience. My take (after about 6 months of use) is the following: Thermostats have to deal with a dizzying number of permutations of equipment installations and types having different features and requirements. Honeywell has to deal with all situations but also be easy and usable for HVAC techs and homeowners. I'm going to guess that doing so requires an element of dumbing-down menus and putting in defaults and assumptions to ease the setup process. If you want to accuse them of something, I'll join you if you say that these "assumptions" and rigid paths should be better documented. The documentation is also dumbed-down too much. There was one setting in particular I was trying to better understand and get information about and it wasn't to be found. My contractor couldn't answer the question. When I called Honeywell for help, they were a bit dumbfounded too. I ultimately took a shot at what to do and it seems so far to be fine. I'm happy with the Honeywell thermostat in operation, especially with the internet gateway. The setup was overall easy, but maybe too easy. My need shouldn't have led me to a dark cul-de-sac with no exit path. Similarly, you shouldn't have run into a situation where if you didn't set up the EIM first thing, there was no obvious way to go back and do it.