TearingHairOut,

I think this thread/issue has been resolved, kind of...

I think the problem was with the LT WinModem Driver itself, considering the new system is using a hardware (serial) modem, and no issues that were part of the old system, have been a problem in the new system.

The best guess of the problem can only be the one thing that isn't the same in both systems, a hardware modem vs. a WinModem. The old system STILL can't access the web addys unless it is run as Root, but the new system can have anyone, under adduser and the Root, get out, and get web sites.

Since the old system has reverted back to a Win98 system, and the new system is running perfectly with Knoppix/Debian 3.3 - the issue can be closed - with a fix of "don't use a LT WinModem Driver and expect everyone to get to web pages."

Thanks for all the help (again) Markus and THO
Cuddles