Well, after due diligence and consideration, the decision was made to upgrade to Win 7 ... I did that Tuesday, then had a heck of a time trying to get Windows Live Mail to function ... spent a couple of hours Wednesday morning in a live chat with a MS support guy who admitted he had no training in WML, but helped me anyway ... bottom line is it is now working ...
Still have a ways to go D/L other software and files, but 'we are on our way' ...

PS ... before I D/L Win 7 the 'on board speakers on the PC were working ... after I D/L Win 7 they are not ... anyone know why?
Eventually I will get my 5.1 sound card on the new PC, but I don't know if I want to try that myself ...