Garrett,

Many thanks. Yes it works and I managed to download the original block chain.  But I had only two connections.  I set my router to 8330 and I also set the client to 8329.  Did not seem to help much.  If I start mining I will need more connctions>!!!

Thank you.

PS: Question for the newbie monkey mind here please.  I am having trouble locating the wallet.dat file.  Once I do generate an "offline" secure address and wallet.dat file I will need to copy it securely as many others have already posted.  Monkey Mind Question is if I dont delete that string particular string out of the file (after I copy it securely to someplace else) and then I start mining wont others be able to "see" or hack it if I leave it in the data directory?