I have installed various gadgets that display on the mini viewer, and my favorites are the system health and weather displays.  When I say that it can't connect is the sideshow cannot read the computer, all I get is the mini screen showing the busy icon and then Cannot Connect error. 

I have checked the BIOS settings and the mini vierer is enabled but the Device manager shows the Microsoft Development Sideshow has the exclamation in the device marker, which means the device is not working/connected.

You can go into the control panel and find windows sideshow settings and disable the gadgets by unchecking the boxes. There is also an option for turning off the display after x minutes or never. 

I have the same computer upgraded to Windows 7 and would love to get rid of the Sideshow--a useless (IMO) feature. There is a setting in the bios that enables/disables it. I've disabled it there but it keeps returning unexpectedly.  Check your bios to see if it's disabled there and check to make sure you have the latest & last bios A07.  I'm not sure of why you say you can't connect. Connect to what? All mine does is play solitaire.  If you are asking about the computer itself not  connecting to the Internet, post more facts about your problem to get some answers.