Thanks, Raven. I'm sure he's behind on lots of stuff. Early in 2009, I had him change his update settings to notify him of updates, but not automatically download. That was to hold off on sp1 (at a time when I think I read here that folks were having trouble with it - but I didn't follow that topic, so didn't realize sp1 had become a good idea and that sp2 followed). We also set it that way bc. his computer was automatically updating and then rebooting when he was in the middle of doing other things. So this was to allow him to time his own downloads and installations. But he just never thought of it - and I didn't think I needed to keep track for him. I do keep track of his Avast, superantispyware, malwarebyte and spywareblaster. Every now and then when he's done surfing I have him leave out the laptop and go ahead and update and scan. I'll have to keep track of more than that, obviously. I got foxit reader on my ancient laptop in my office and love it. It takes so little room and does what I need quickly. Do you like pdf-xchange viewer more than foxit reader? Or does he need to use firefox to use foxit reader? I installed firefox for him - and set up tabs with the places he likes to go (did that in the summer) - but he hasn't used it. He's a bit resistant to tech changes. He balked when I got Tivo's - although he loves it now. He's a musician - and I got him Protools so he could record the music he wrote. That was over 1 1/2 years ago - and he hasn't learned it yet - he's barely scratched the surface. Last spring he bought an Imac bc. it was better for recording music. And now he's finally setting up his den and equipment. I'm hoping he'll actually learn the software this year. I'll take care of the rest for him so the only learning curve he has is Protools (certainly the most challenging of them all). But I digress. I'll check his other updates and run Secunia - I'm pretty sure I already put that on his computer last year. Thanks. Lynn.

All is now working. Here is what I did: I removed the ethernet cable connecting the Cradlepoint router to the second (Netgear) router, and connected it directly to the computer. I really believe that the cable from the Netgear router to the computer is faulty, so I will buy another one. I use the Netgear to give the wireless signal a wider range than the Cradlepoint provides. Zep, I checked the TCP/IP properties, and it was not checked to Obtain DNS server address automatically. Instead, it had the ip address of the Cradlepoint router entered. I changed it, following your instructions, and kept losing the connection, so I put the setting back as it was. I think there is a reason I had it that way. I am using Open DNS on the router, and I think the instructions were to set it up that way. At any rate it is now working, so I'll leave well enough alone. Oh, yes, the wireless is working also. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

sure, I have windows xp, linux and windows 7 and all share including printer. There are a few threads here where this was addressed and links provided try a search here on GW. Share Files and Printers between Windows 7 and XP Windows 7 - File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa) the windows 7 forum is an excellent resource and has many good tutorials. How to Enable File Sharing between Windows 7 and Windows XP Important to remember all computers must have the same work group name, same printer name, every thing must match on all.

My windows 7 did not come with an email program. I just looked through my programs and there is something called windows mail, but there is no email software in the folder. I had to download my email and it had that huge tool bar on top like word has and I hated it. I finally set up the quick access bar and that worked for me. A few months back I reformatted and could not find what I had been using. I found windows live mail and it was very much like OE. I can add background music in it.