I am trying to set my laptop up to work at home. When I go into the network setup, the VPN box is greyed out. I don't know how to fix this. Please help. This is an urgent request. It has been suggested that I take the laptop to a professional or to the "geek squad", but this is not an option for me.

Also, a less urgent request is how do I "restore" the DaVinci desktop theme on my laptop. When I go to the control panel and settings to choose the theme, I am unable to chose this theme. When I shutdown the pc, the desktop will be in the background, but it does not appear as my desktop when I am running programs. The screen saver DaVinci does still appear. I am not sure what is going on.

Thank you for all your help.

Shari

As to VPN check this:

To resolve this issue, you must install Remote Access Connection Manager and Remote Access Auto Connection Manager.

To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services.

2. Right-Click Internet Connection Sharing, and then click Start.
Internet Connection Sharing requires Remote Access Connection Manager.

When you start Internet Connection Sharing it causes Remote Access Connection Manager and Remote Access Auto Connection Manager to install.

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As to DaVinci: are you getting this from Plus! XP?

If so have you tried reinstalling it?

Thank you for helping. I went to start, clicked on all programs, but I do not see administrative tools. What else can I do to get into this?

Also.... no I do not have plus XP. The desktop/screensaver program was on the laptop when I bought it new. I have only loaded Microsoft office student/teacher addition 2003.

Thank you for any further help you could give.

Shari

I did find the administrative tools and have resolved the greyed out box problem. I swallowed my nerves and went "hunting" for the remote connection manager. Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction. I had to click on Remote access connection manager and then right click and select start. I also followed those sames steps for Remoste Desktop Help session manager properties and Remote Access Auto connection Manager. I was not sure if all three needed to be started but I clicked on start and they are on automatic. If any of this is going to mess up my pc, please let me know. I do now have remote access to be able to work from home. AGAIN.... THANK YOU SO MUCH.

No problem. Glad all is well there.

The DaVinci theme is not a standard XP theme.

One program: Plus! XP installs it. There also might be other sources but this is not an XP nor Microsoft product. I am assuming this software was bundled on your computer.

What is the make and model of the computer? Did it come with CD's?

I bought my laptop in August 2006. It is a Toshiba. The only discs I have installed are the Microsoft office, webroot spysweeper and PC-cillin antivirus which were recommended by the "squad" at Best Buy. I have a recovery disc also, but have not had to use it.

It is just unusual to me that I cannot see the desktop theme until I start to shut down the pc and then when the desktop which is solid disappears, you can see the Davinci desktop.

This is not an urgent problem, just an annoying one.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Sherry

Go to start > Control Panel > Display > Themes

Is the DaVinci theme listed in the drop down there?

Yes, the Da Vinci is in the drop down box. But, when I go to desktop, it will not let me click on the Da Vinci option. I can, however, select Da Vinci on themes. I have tried selecting it, clicking on apply and then restarting my pc. So far, no luck. I only see the Da Vinci desk top as the pc is shutting down. The Da Vinci screen saver DOES work. I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Shari

As this is not a native XP/Microsoft theme there is not much to do within XP itself.

Reinstalling the source software is one option but I guess we do not know what the source was.

Try changing to a Microsoft theme (Windows XP) then see if you can change back.