[wildbill]

used the same line I have for the desktop, which was working for that computer, but didn't work for the laptop).

Could it be that you are using the same line for both computers--but not the same connection point? I have my two computers on my home line but they are plugged in to two different wall connections. Try another connecting wire with different end connectors because sometimes they get bent. If the connection at either end, wall or to the computer, is not securely made, the laptop won't work.

If you eliminate the connections at the wall and at the computer as the problem, then it is somewhere in the laptop

[GreatOne]

I unplugged the telephone line that was going into the desktop and plugged it directly into the laptop, and I did not get a dial tone (after getting one seconds earlier for the desktop). And I also used two different lines where I usually connect and they didn't work. I'm going to be getting DSL at home in a few weeks, anyway, but want to try to fix this now. Thanks for your suggestion.

I think you're right that it was the spyware programs that told me to disable the system restore.