MS continues to support W7 (at least until 2015) and issues various updates and security upgrades almost weekly. I haven't tried Firefox given the multiple other browser results I've had but I suppose I should get around to it...

But...I cannot find any logic looking for problem solutions in the operating system, the browsers, the computers themselves or the ISP or internet when [U]only[/U] GT is affected. But I'll keep looking and keep listening to you guys for answers. This is a distressing problem and the impact will worsen as I (try to) move on to new lessons...