We have to replace our computer. It is 8 years old and is quite annoying at times. So we've made the decision.

Because Alan really can't walk or travel, it's all up to me and the easiest thing for me to purchase right now is a laptop.

So I know that any laptop I get will be better than the stupid computer I have now. There is one at Staples, that is a Toshiba that is 4 gigs of ram, and 640 gig hard drive. MORE THAN I HAVE NOW, believe that!!! lol

It has a Intel Pentium B940 processor (i don't even know what this means)

I don't like to buy things without seeing them in person, so I'll take the bus there when this heat is not so intense.

So here's my plan. And I want to run this by you guys so you can tell me if my plans are correct.

I want to replace the computer I now use with the laptop. I gather I just take out the ethernet connection and dsl connection from the back of my NOW computer and put these in the correct ports on the laptop, right?

I am certain that this laptop (or any laptop I get) will have a dvd rom thing. I'm not planning on burning anything but I do want to play dvds.

I need to connect a printer. I am sure the laptop will come with a built in webcam right.

So how many usb ports do I need to see on any laptop that I get?

I will be connecting my printer.

So when I disconnect my NOW computer and put it in another room, and I connect the new laptop, I should be ready to go on the internet right? I connect the correct ports, open the laptop, click on the internet icon and that's it?

Or do I have to set it up? See, I know NOTHING about laptops.

Does one have to reconfigure it or something when it comes out of the box?

I really hope not. I just want to take it home, and go on the internet.

Now, when I'm all set up, THEN I want to go into the other room and try and re-format the hard drive of the old computer and see if I can do this. Which will essentially wipe out everything and have it back to factory settings? Am I right in this? I don't have any backup cd's of the operating system, but I seem to remember that if one presses F10 (or some F key) that one can re-format a hard drive to bring it back to where it was when we first got it.

Can I do this??

then, if I am successful, I'll get a router, attach it to the modem where the laptop is, and once I know what I'm doing, I can use my newly formatted OLD computer to get on the internet (when Alan is on the Laptop).

Now here is where I get confused. I want to copy some files. I was told to get a flash drive. I need to copy some Microsoft word documents (yes, I know that the laptop has to have Microsoft word on it). If it doesn't I think I have the cds for word.

What I really need is to copy my wordpad files. If I can't copy microsoft word files, at least I can copy my worpad files right?

So here is what I need to know.

Exactly how does one use a flash drive. Let's say I want to copy all of my wordpad files. I plug in the flash drive into a usb port, right? THEN WHAT HAPPENS? Am I prompted to go to wordpad? I've never even seen a flash drive in my life. I presently have XP and any new laptop will have Windows 7.

So if I got all this right, can you please go through my questions and let me know if I was on the money? And explain how flash drives work.

I can't see myself buying another desktop and reconnecting all those things.

a laptop sounds easier.

Thanks much

Melody