Unlike others I would like Google to retain my search criteria in the
search box when I search and then click to go back to the Google page.
On my desktop machine it works by retaining the search criteria
(criterion?) just like that but my laptop does not (the search box is
empty) and it is driving me Mad Mad MADDD!!
 
 I have played with every known setting and just cannot get it to be
'persistent'.  I have done all the usual IE - Tools - Internet Options
- Content - Autocomplete and played around wih the 3 buttons for web
addresses, forms and user names.  I have also played with the security
settings and the advanced tab options.  I have cleared the history,
played with the privacy settings etc.  Help! help! help!

Make sure you have the appropriate amount of space available for
temporary internet files.

Tools -> Internet Options -> [Temporary Internet Files] Settings

Make sure the amount of available space is the same on your laptop as
it is on your desktop, or perhaps even more if you can spare it.

Good luck,

James Kassemi

Yep got all that!  Thanks anyway.  Bill