The new Sony VAIO laptop came in today, and it looks wonderful. I'm in the middle of transitioning my software and data from the Toshiba to the new system ... and of course, Windows XP won't recognize the home network, although I can get to the Internet just fine. I have the correct workgroup name and a unique computer name, but I can't see any of the other computers, including the old laptop. That means I have to use the portable hard drive to transfer files. Ecchh.

I'll hopefully get the core files transferred tonight so I can start blogging with the new laptop. In the meantime, check out Mitch at Shot In The Dark, who has been running a bleg for funds to get a much-needed laptop. He may buy the Toshiba from me, now that I've figured out why it wasn't working properly before, or he may do something different, but he's got a great blog and he needs a laptop to keep up. If you have a few bucks, toss it into Mitch's tipjar.

UPDATE 11:26 PM: Well, the network still isn't working, but I've loaded the basic software for blogging now, and it works great. I'm going to copy over more files overnight and get back to blogging in the morning.

UPDATE AND BUMP, 5-26 7:30 AM: Obviously, I've transferred enough to continue working. In fact, I want to make a special note about how easy it was to transfer my Firefox and Thunderbird profiles to the new computer. Quite literally, it took me about two minutes for each program to pull over my data and have it working perfectly, and I have extensive e-mail files. If one follows the easy instructions on the Mozilla site, it's almost idiot-proof.

Unfortunately, this idiot still has problems with the home network, although I'm getting tons of good advice. Just to let readers know, all of the computers on my network run XP Service Pack 2, so the problem isn't a mismatch of operating systems. The only one not connecting is the new Vaio. I'll play with it more tonight, using some of your helpful tips.

UPDATE III: Okay, problem solved -- I found the problem in Norton Anti-virus' firewall, thanks to a couple of tips from CQ readers. Once I added the other computer names to the Trusted list, I immediately accessed them and added in the printers and other equipment on the network. I'll be doing more updates and installations tonight to get the new laptop up to speed. Thanks again!

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