I have a new laptop with XP home edition.  I am trying to use my
existing Sony flat panel monitor.  When I unhook my laptop and use it
everything is OK.  But when I hook it back up my shortcuts on my
desktop and taskbar don't work.  What is the problem?

Hello,

Have you tried plugging in the monitor to the laptop when the laptop
is off, and then turning on the laptop?

I have tried that but no help.  The left click on the mouse doesn't
work the shortcuts nor the pull down menus on internet explorer.  The
toutch pad on the laptop works fine. Any ideas?

You need to descrbe your problem more precisely. Does the problem
occur everytime you connect the laptop to the monitor? Do you see your
desktop on both the laptop and the monitor? If so, are you looking at
the laptop or the Sony monitor when trying the shortcuts. Is it only
the shortcuts that are not working, or anything to do with the mouse?