Give it a shot, Reset WINSOCK entries Reset TCP/IP stack Go Start > Run (Start search in Vista) then type in: cmd Click OK (in Vista, while holding CTRL, and SHIFT, press Enter). At the Command Prompt, type in: netsh winsock reset catalog On the keyboard press Enter. Do that again and type in: netsh int ip reset reset.log Press Enter. Restart the computer. Note: Resetting the Winsock using netsh winsock reset catalog command in SP2 removes all the third-party LSPs and restores Winsock to factory default setting. Existing programs that uses their own LSPs need to be reinstalled again. Example: Google Desktop Search. ---------- Go Start > Run (Start search in Vista) and type in: cmd Click OK (in Vista, while holding CTRL, and SHIFT, press Enter). In the Command Prompt window type in following commands, and press Enter after each one: ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /registerdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew Note the space before the forward slash / Restart the computer.

Loralee, regardless of the software you will eventually settle on, you will need to use multiple DVD's unless you opt for an external hard drive. I suggest that you take an afternoon and use a disk burning application (I can't stand Roxio, more on this later) to back up the files and folders of your choosing. If your DVD writer is capable, use double layered DVD-R's as they are 8.5 GB each. Then, get in the habit of backing up new files to dvd on a regular basis. A real simple solution would be to buy an external USB or Firewire hard drive and copy over your precious files, though I would still make DVD's and put them away. Most, if not all, external drives come with some sort of "back-up" software. As Ravencajun suggests, Trueimage is pretty good. I do not recommend anything by Roxio as their software has proven to conflict with hardware drivers and also creates problems when installed with other software. It doesn't play well with other software. I have made many repairs to friends and family computers that Roxio has caused. There are many other cd/dvd burning software solutions available, I am partial to Nero. I also suggest Total Commander as a file manager. It far exceeds the capability of Windows Explorer and once you use it, you'll never look back. If you get an external hard drive and use total commander, you'll be done in no time at all. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, Raven I want to avoid using the Norton trial and get Avast on the new laptop before I go online. I re-downloaded Avast again, to a flashdrive using my XP machine. I was able to move it onto the Vista hard drive Downloads folder. But as before, it would not install. First window shows the default language - english. Next window - There was an error while completing the setup process. View setup log. I googled the main error line from the setup log, didn't find my exact problem, but found a few posts - all Avast related and also relating to various internet connections. So maybe once I get my wireless router hooked up tomorrow (cross fingers) this will install. I don't understand why that would matter, but what do I know! My XP computer is ATT DSL wired, which I am making wireless since I now have the laptop. That in itself is/will be a real learning experience. And I will definitely check out some of the tutorials. I think I will like Vista, just feeling a little inept at the moment.

The CD Should open from computer, click start, click Computer, when that opens double click on the CDROM Drive, if it does not open from there then most likely a problem with CD or drive. If you are on Windows XP or Windows Vista and want to enable AutoRun once again, download this tool available from Microsoft's website. That way the cd will play when you insert it (If the CD is any good) instead of going to computer and double clicking the CDROM Drive In case you were wondering why, Microsoft decided to disable automatic execution of files via AutoRun or AutoPlay because of malware that has been targeting such methods. Click the link I provided, then save it to the desktop, once there double click it and RUN it. Here is a link that might be useful: enable AutoRun