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Background: I have a fairly new and fast Asus laptop, Win 7, and use Eset Nod32 AV. I also have 3 other laptops in the house but this is the only one giving me problems.

There are only a few websites that I can access. Most websites just return an error message that the site is unavailable. I checked the DNS settings, they are default, no changes. My router default DNS uses OpenDns. I ran MRT.exe and a full virus scan...nothing. Weirdest thing I've ever seen. The computer seems to run slower too.

I am trying to create a fairly simple lookup formula.

Info:

1. Colum A contains my lookup reference. The domain for that column is "A, B, C, or D" (only possible entries in data validation list)

2. Column D contains the resulting number that corresponds to Column A (30, 60, or 90 days) based on the contents of the corresponding cell in column A. (i.e. if the data in Column A ="A" or "B" then 30 days should be the result. If Column A= "C" then 60 days. If Column A= "D" then 90 days.

Should be a simple formula, but I haven't worked formulas in years and am very rusty.

We've been married for nearly 18 years and I've always had all of the loans and credit cards in my name. My credit score is great, ~750. My wife's...not so much. Can I get loans and/or credit cards with her as the primary, but cosign the loan to improve her credit? Will the interest rates be higher based on her poor credit?

I bought a laptop w/ 2 GB RAM (Dell Studio 1749). I want to add 2 more GB. I found one online with the exact same specs (DDR3 PC310600 at 1333 mhz, 204 pin etc). It used to be recommended that DIMMs were bought in pairs from the same manufacturer. The aftermarket DIM I'm looking for is by Crucial. Will that work paired with the original Dell DIMM or should I buy a set of 2?

I would like to take a creditor to court over a line on my credit report. In 2006, I moved from NC to Europe (military reassignment). Just prior to my move, I paid off a credit card (in full) and requested the account be closed. Apparently, there was one final interest fee (after my final payment) which came to $18.02. But, with late fees and other charges, they claim the balance is $821 (years of non-payment). They've offered to settle for less than half, but even if I pay, it would still show as derogatory on my credit report. This company is notorious for nefarious fees, interest rates, and tactics to bilk money from customers and I want to settle it in court. I don't think that small claims court would have jurisdiction and I don't want to hire an attorney for such a small amount. How do I proceed?

My cat is 15 years old and has not been eating much over the past week. He has lost a lot of weight and has been acting...differently. I'm wondering if maybe he has diabetes, or a parasite, or just starting to die from old age. I've been working a lot this past week but I'm planning a trip to the vet early next week. Just trying to get an idea of what the problem is.

My son has a Wii, but wants an Xbox 360...not just any 360, but the elite. My question is, what takes up so much HDD space? I can't imaging saved game data taking up that much space and the games are stored on discs, not on the HDD...right?

I'm pretty good with computers and electronics. Can't I just buy a 120 GB HDD and install it myself for a whole lot cheaper? Would I have to get a specific HDD (proprietary) or just any aftermarket HDD like on a typical computer?

I have been paying on my 30 fixed mortgage for 8 years now. Haven't been late with a payment since 2006, but had a few late payments in '05-'06 when my wife lost her job following a move to a different state. My credit is "good" at just under 700, last time I checked (last Aug). The mortgage I currently have is a VA loan, but it is at 7%!

I only want to shorten the term to a 15 year mortgage and continue paying about the same, or even a little more monthly, but at a reasonable interest rate (~5%). I just want to build up equity faster and pay it off sooner. I'm NOT trying to reduce payments or get a consolidation loan/line of credit.

One other key factor is that I no longer live in the home. It is a rental (single family home) which I maintain very well.

Bank of America won't budge on refinancing or renegotiating the rate. I paid $168k for the house (brand new home) and owe just under $150k. I think the house would likely appraise for $180 - $185K.

Problem is that I get all of this junk mail which appear to be "bait and switch" tactics from nefarious lenders. I want a legitimate company to give me a reasonable loan with no hassle. Is that too much to ask?

I have a Bose Acoustimass 10 Bass module, but my surround speakers (double cubes) were stolen. I recently got a great deal on Infinity surround speakers and was wondering... What will the effect on sound quality be if I mix on brand bass module with another brand's surrounds?

I have 2 kids (tweens) with new laptops (Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM....). I have my own laptop too. We want to play a FPS game on our internal home network, or online if we have to. I've heard great reviews about the new Modern Warfare 2, but not sure if that is what I'm looking for.

I would prefer to not have to buy 3 copies of a game so all three of us can play. I think I should be able to use a game anywhere in my home (on any of my PCs) if I pay for it.

Any suggestions?

I was parked in a private parking lot (Walmart). A guy backed into my car, got out to look at the damage, then fled the scene. A witness provided make, model, plate # and description of the driver and vehicle. I completed a police accident report where I obtained the driver's address (no phone on file). I visited the other driver at his residence (non confrontational). He acknowledged being at the scene, but was "unaware" of the accident. Minor damage to his vehicle corresponds to damage on my vehicle. I was also parked in front of a security camera (subpeona required to obtain footage).

I filed a claim twith other driver's insurance company. They are dragging their feet because they can't reach their client for confirmation of the accident. I want to know if he was in violation of any laws for fleeing the scene without attempting to contact me to notify me of the damage and exchange insurance information.

Specifically, I want to know how much of a song you have to listen to for it to "count". More than 50%? 100%? What if I listen to a podcast and just as they are rolling the credits, I skip to the next podcast. Does it register a count because I listened to 98% of it?

My daughter has been taking piano lessons for about a year. We moved last April and finally found a new piano teacher who seems very competent and has a well developed program with brochures, website, etc. She charges $150 a month for weekly lessons at 45 minutes each. That works out to about $50 per hour. However, there are some designated holidays (Thanksgiving, Spring Break, etc.) where there is no instruction, but the monthly "tuition" is not prorated for short months.

I think that $150 a month is a little high and if I'm going to pay that much, I expect all 4 (or 5) lessons regardless of when they are scheduled. Are her rates reasonable?

My son (11) is interested in computer animation and web design. I want to educate him and develop his interest, but I know little about either subject. I've looked at the local schools and universities for classes. They have some general youth computer courses, but not until next Spring.

Where can I point him to learn the basics and start encouraging his interest?

I'm upgrading my Dell Dimension 6400 to 4 GB of RAM. I'm going to use DDR2-6400. Should I get 4 x 1GB DIMMS or 2 x 2 GB DIMMS. Which is faster?

Dell's website says that my computer will accept DDR2-667 PC2-5300 @667 mhz. Will it also accept PC2-6400 @800 mhz? I get different answers from different websites.

I have a Belking N Plus wireless router and a 500 GB external HD connected through the USB port on the router. My MAC can see the HD and connect to it. But my PCs (2 XP and 1 Windows 7) can not see the HD. Both PCs see the router, but not the HD connected to it. How do I map this HD when I can't get Windows to see it?

Is a 1 year warranty against peeling, cracking, and mildew too much or not enough? What else am I forgetting?

I've drafted a 2 page contract to solicit bids from local painting contractors. I've included all the details (number of coats, preparation work, type and brand of paint, cleanup, references, payment, etc.). I've also added a warranty clause that requires the contractor to provide a 1 year warranty from peeling, cracking, and mildew. Is that a reasonable expectation or should I even expect more than 1 year?

I'm looking at buying a Toro lawn mower. There are many models that are so slightly different, the only difference I can find is the engine manufacturer. Model 20064 has Briggs & Stratton engine and the 20071 has a Tecumseh engine. B&S is a very common name and I assume maintenance and parts will be easy in the long run. Any suggestions?