Not my fault, Microsoft's fault.  I wanted to install an upgrade to a music
player but didn't have SP2 installed.  So I went to the MS website.
Installation got 85% done then it said something was missing and shut down
and rebooted my PC.  When it came back my connection icons had been wiped
out.

Meanwhile, my ISP had sent me a new modem with a note indicating my DSL
equipment was out of date.  So I figured this was as good a time as any to
install that.  Except... the red DSL cable which is supposed to connect to
the filter on the phone jack won't reach from the modem to the jack.  I was
on the phone with tech support and I admit I got a bit rude with the guy.
When I told him it won't reach he said, "Don't you have another phone cord
you could attach to it?"  UH, yeah, but all my phone cords are male-to-male
connections, not male-to-female, I can't connect the two.  "Then I don't
know what to tell you, ma'am."  OH GREAT, thanks bunches.

I'm not sure why this new modem requires a red, yellow and blue cable
anyway.  I feel like you have to be a member of the bomb squad to deal with
it.  Careful, NO, NOT THE BLUE ONE!! LOL

Fortunately I hooked my old modem back up (one USB cable in the back of the
PC, plug the phone cable directly in, simple).  My connection re-established
automatically.  I still don't have icons and can't for the life of me find
the software for the old modem but at least I'm here.  Unfortunately it's
running about the speed of old dial-up.

Meanwhile I'm trying to figure out WTF I'm supposed to do with this new
modem if the DSL cable won't reach the phone jack filter.  I'm on hold
(again) with my ISP.

Life's Lesson:  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I didn't need the latest
version of this music thing to listen to CD's and I sure didn't need this
"new and improved modem" headache.

Happy New Year and purrs for everyone who needs them.  Don't know why but
purrs seem to be required more often around the holidays.

Jill