i thought i would start early this week on my efforts to get into Chat.

last week I was unable to download Java on this new laptop, but i hadn't explored all avenues, so I was prepared to devote some time today.

well the normal download didn't work so i was talked through [online help] an offline download which produced an icon on my desktop. i was supposed to shut everyting down & then double click on the saved file. to start the installation process.

i am getting the message 'jre-6u7-windows-i586.exe is not a valid Win32 application' [i noticed this is slightly different from what teh downlodsa specified - it called the file jre-6ux - not sure if that's relevant]

something else - mayeb it's just that laptop using dongle [small plug in portable device]cuts in & out & is not adequate to downloads [well it did manage the puppies, but i was strying to watch a video of AM's & it coughed it up in splutters at best].

is there anything that i can do to resolve this by tonight?

any help appreciated.

Mel