bagginsbill when I read that you gave me a good laugh and I sorely needed one.  :)  I totally agree with you about McAfee - good old Dell just loves it.  I finally muddled through and was able to do a system restore dated four days ago and guess what?  Yep.  McAfee is back.  I'm afraid to try another uninstall of it as I suspect the problem would simply regenerate itself and begin this cycle all over again.  :(((((