Thanks for the quick response.  I have gone to the site you recommended, but I can't find anywhere that I can download the driver.  The page seems to be on informative.

Any other suggestions.  Heat isn't a problem - I'm in Ontario Canada and it is cold!

the crashing could be heat related.
have you tried blowing out the vents with som compressed air?
as for the modem drivers, look here http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/devices.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=INS_PNT_CEL_1100&category=20&os=WW1&osl=EN

Thanks so much for your help.  I downloaded the modem driver rercommended, but it has not fixed my problem.

When I either put my system in standby mode or it goes automatically, I can no longer bring it back from standby.  My only alternative is to turn the computer off at the off button - yikes!  I am now leaving it on with a screen saver, until I can find out what in the world went wrong.

I run McAfee antivirus and the Microsoft Antispyware daily and have not run into any unwanted items. 

I don't know if it is related too, but when I click on either the Internet Explorer or Outlook Express icons, it takes maybe 10 minutes to activate.  Wouldn't you know, my system went off product support last month!

Any more suggestions?  I certainly appreciate any ideas.