Thank you again. I'll check out the USB network adaptors if I run into more roadblocks. I may give my son a call also, to see if I can get a later version of Windows other than XP to upgrade..that is another option to getting the IE5 or 6 on this old tin lizzie.
You have been a huge help :)
Don't change your explorer. There's a modem in the laptop. You can connect with that. A netzero dialup is ~$15/month?
Since you have a cable acct. ask them for a dial up number temporarily. Use your login and passwrd to connect. Use "dialup metworking" to set up the new dialup acct.