Pete, One important item you didn't mention is what type OS you have on your computer. When XP was released and many users and corporations still use it, that version lost support for modems to surf the web using AOL version 5.0 Are you still using an operating system prior to XP for Windows? Such as WIN 95 and earlier? IF that is your case then the troubles you described in your email system of AOL 5.0 may be a place to look. I still use AOL 5.0 to store and backup my emails, in addition to the AOL 9.0 Optimized versions. JOHN in CA