Anyone have any idea why my modem kicks in to get on the internet whenever I try to initally go into Control Panel? Could it be looking for some update? THKS

Go to Control Panel>Internet Options>Connections>select "Never dial a connection"

Yes, that should work but it can also be 'Windows Catalog Registration' from your computer wants to connect to 207.46.197.113, port 80, usually when you select device manager. The program responsible is c:\windows\system\sucatreg.exe It has to do with driver signing within Windows. Have a look at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q232/8/93.ASP and http://www.microsoft.com/HWDEV/desinit/digitsign.htm To fix it, go to Control Panel, double-click Internet Options, go to Tab labeled Advanced, scroll down the list to the heading of Security, and Uncheck the box "Check for publisher’s certificate revocation". Click OK. Other possibilities are spyware - get Spybot from http://security.kolla.de/