Check the System Log in Event Viewer.

Start with Control Panel/Admin Tools/Event Viewer/System and look for red errors relating to USB errors.
There's also a Hardware error log that might help.
See here for additional tips:...

Nothing to do with luck. It has to do with being a youngster:)
You probably don't know about dip switches, DOS 1.0, Windows 3.1 or Fortran, either.
Most of all, this kind of comment, "What a waste...

Aren't you lucky. There was a time when this was a huge problem as there were many different drivers for CD ROMs.

Where do you want this toolbar? IE? Windows Explorer?
Rt-click any file to get these functions.

I bought my Dell 9" Mini with 9.04 installed and quickly switched to Netbook remix because Dell didn't support the 9.10 upgrade, a bad mistake on their part.
When I show it to people, they very...

Yes, as long as the drives are the same type (PATA, SATA).

Have you tried running Hijack in Safe mode?
Combo Fix may help:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix

What hardware? There may be source somewhere.

Make sure all user accounts are password protected.

See here for caveats:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2082982,00.asp

But, but,... I live for pointless!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Vista.
Re-install it, apply the updates and learn how to use it.
Even better, upgrade to Win 7.

Answers are here:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/167444/windows_7_upgrade_faq.html

Details, please. What driver? What computer? Why do you need a new driver?

Are you trying to connect to your home network?

Whatever happened to the Golden Rule?

Not enough info. What problems are you having with XP?
Upgrading is both expensive and time consuming, and probably not worth it in most cases.

I made a mistake once...

Oh, dear me.
"Deel"? "Soundcard"?
Caperjack got it mostly right, though.
At the Dell site, use your service tag to identify the proper adapter, then download the driver.

What model and how much RAM?
I'd start with a virus/spyware scan.

In Disk management, rt-click and select "Explore".

OK, you see it, but what does it say about partitions, file type, space, etc.? (All drives are partitioned, it's just a matter of how many).

It sounds as though the drive needs to be formatted. You may have accidentally deleted the partition when you reinstalled.
What info do you see in Disk management?

Have you set Windows Mail as your default email?
Control Panel/Internet Options/Programs

Use bcdedit:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/firmware/bcdedit_reff.mspx
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2014/vista_using_bcdedit_boot_up_options_dual_boot_xp_prof/

Open Windows Mail/Tools/Accounts
Get the settings from Verizon.

Details, please.
OS, type of drive, previous problems, etc.

Yes. See the Help file:
"Add or remove a Windows Mail account

You can set up a variety of different accounts using Windows Mail. You can set up a single personal e‑mail account, or you might also...

Nothing leaps out, but it looks like you never met a toolbar you didn't like.

It's obviously not empty. Dell is trying to keep you out of there by hiding the files. Don't mess with it.
You should see an option at boot to change boot options(F2 or F12, usually) select it, then...

You should be able to select any available channel through the router set up page. 1, 6, 11 are standard.
Check for a router firmware update.

Password for what?

That sounds like a serious hardware problem.
Try booting to a CD/DVD.
I suspect you need to take it to a shop.

Will it play CDs?
These drives sometimes need to be connected more tightly. I'd take it back and have them reinstall it.

The new HD is not being found. Double check your installation.

Is this a modem or a router?
Has the internet ever worked on this laptop before?
See here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/275423

I wouldn't say it's "better", but it does seem to be very stable and driver/program support is excellent.
That said, I expect dual-booting is the way to go, as it will expire next year.

Not so. Even once can can screw up your file system if a write process is accessing the disk.
Never, never do it.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx