Still the answer avoids me on the clock speed:
If I use this path: Start/settings/control panel/system,
on the general tab, no mh listed, just 191.0MB RAM
on the performance tab, no clock spped either, it does say memory 191.0MB RAM, system resources 60% free, file system 32bit, virtual memory 32bit, disc compression not installed, no pc card sockets are installed.
Three icons on the bottom of this tab screen, File settings, Graphics, and Virtual Memory. On that virtual memory screen, the circle is clicked that says ""Let Windows manage my virtual memory setting (recommended)".

i did a little searching, just can't find the speed of the processor.
I can't believe it would be a problem now, I've had connection problems before, but nothing like this.

Thanks

Gilly