Thanks for the replies chaps. BEagle, thanks I've tried this, the "Dial up and virtual private networks" window contained two items "BTOW" and "Broadband Connection." The "BTOW" entry keeps re-insering itself, and the "Broadband Connection" has disappeared.
The "Never dial a connection" radio button keeps resetting itself.
I can get a connection by going to START/CONNECT TO/SHOW ALL CONNECTIONS/ and then "asking windows to automatically configure card" in the "wireless connections" tab, but I have to do this each time he computer starts up.
BOAC its windows xp, how do I find the "Startup" and "run or run once registry?"
cheers