I decided to try ANOTHER HD install and it is booting and the internet is working. Don't know what I might have done differently. Connection is DHCP. Let me know if you disagree but no real reason for DHCP over static other than not having to know mask, dns address etc. I have multiple XP boxes and want to gradually move to Linux if I find I can live without my XP apps. You mentioned Kanotix which I looked at while install taking place. Some posts make issue with Knoppix being made for CD install and as though another would be better HD install. Debian (I realize Debian is pretty much Knoppix install), Kanotix any better than Knoppix? I really appreciate your input and will file them away as I have more machines to move to the ix world. I did 2 1/2 years of Unix admin about 20 years ago but remember very little other that I enjoyed it. No GUI then.
Thanks again,
map