"But, it kills me that we pay over $200,000 for medical school, and then trust our practice to a $500 Dell and XP Pro."

......Perhaps because the return on investment of our $200,000 education is pretty crummy frown frown frown

Seriously, Bert, no question you are right. IF COST WERE NO OBJECT, the server would be a total no brainer. BUT I have essentially no IT costs now, and I can troubleshoot just about anything that happens, PC or networkwise. I am not going to try to set up a server, so we would have hardware and IT costs. And we would be dependent on a tech for problems.

In our area, it is hard to make a buck in Family Medicine. Several local practices have left the area over the last few years. Our health insurance costs have had 35-40% increases both of the last 2 years. I am really wondering if we have more than a year or so in solo practice. Not to mention 1 kid in college and 2 in high school....

So I am not just being cheap on general principle. Finances are REALLY tight.

I will try Berts suggestion for "server emulation" next, and then either replace the wireless router or switch.

Thanks again for all the thoughtful comments. Gene

Gene Nallin MD solo family practice with one PA Cumberland, Md