Thanks again for continuing assistance. I must say that 'Fred' is being very helpful. Yes he says it should work worldwide. I then noticed this morning when looking at the spec that the software is 32 bit my laptop is 64. I put this to him he came back very quickly and said it should still work. So it must be the set up. I am not that technically minded I was trying it on the default setting. I obviously need to change something. I have just put this to him.
I am using a 'high power realtek 8187l usb adaptor external antenna' if you put this into Google there is a PDF file on the unit.
My new machine is a Toshiba Satellite LG 655-1GL.
My last laptop had internal WIFI as well and this system worked with it. This was VISTA. I had a software disc provided with the realtek gadget for VISTA. It worked straight away.
Thanks again.