Since your son is getting a laptop I would go with a wireless network. It sounds complicated but its really not. I just bought a Toshiba A135 laptop (449.0 after rebate) and it came with a wireless card. All you need from there is something like a Netgear wireless router. Mine cost about 100.00. I have seen some units on sale for less than that. When the laptop is opened anywhere in the house it is on line. networker

Vala, I was in the same mindset as you, it would cost about $300 to replace the bad parts then extra for them to reload everything onto the new HD, but I would still be stuck with an older computer and OS, which means the parts are also getting older and can go out at any time. Instead of chancing having to fix it over and over, I chose a new one with Windows 7 (64bit) and MS Office 2010 for just a couple hundred more. Also, now I have a warranty again in case it does go downhill. Sorry about that Raven, I will try again. BTW, everytime I see your name I crave crawfish etoufee!!! Here is a link that might be useful: New computer

I'm not Beng, but most of the time you can just google for whatever you find. RealConnect looks to be some kind of updating app, installed on Toshiba machines - software provided to it by Conversant. It's not necessary to have it running, although I can't say I'm sure of precisely what it does. Some links on that : http://www.datalode.com/technology.html http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/Toshiba-Registration-17154-program.aspx A more worrisome conflict of software there would be having both "Microsoft Security Client" and Avast running, as "Microsoft Security Client" is part of Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft's Antivirus and Antimalware program. I'd use only one and uninstall the other. Since "Microsoft Security Essentials has both an AV & Antimalware component, if you want to keep Avast, and it doesn't have the Antimalware component, you might want to install Malwarebytes. Or - just use "Microsoft Security Essentials" and uninstall Avast. In my experience, MSConfig doesn't really show all the startup apps & services - I usually use the free "Starter" program by Codestuff, because it shows a lot more information. Codestuff Starter Even that doesn't show absolutely everything, but it's a good place to start, and it's easy to use. "Runscanner" shows more, but is more difficult to use. Just for the record, I'd still give a try of my method in my post before, but I'll leave that up to you. -Kent

But the current Windows formats are awful and I have good security (part of which includes a suspicious nature), so I'm not going to do that. I will eventually need to update my hardware, and at that time will evaluate 10, Apple and Linux and see if I can stand any of them. Many businesses, which are notoriously leaky, have no intentions of changing from XP for many years. They have customized software and will only change when the situation is dire. JoAnn, any luck? It just occurred to me that Summer could also be a problem. Have you dusted recently? Try putting an old stocking or other mesh over your vacuum's crevice tool if you don't have a computer vacuum. Go over the vents well, and if your computer is the kind that opens up, gently dust inside the case as well. If you use canned air on the more stuck in spots, make sure that you're blowing fluff out rather than further into the crevices. A plastic tipped tweezers can be useful. Heat and dustbunnies (which trap heat) can do a number on the function of a computer.