Chat Problems

[Risti]

As a fairly new member, trying to find the line where 'newbie' status 
ends(and what exactly you become when you're not an old-timer), I 
have thought a few times in the last month or so that I'd swing by 
the HP4GU chat.  Sounded like a good place to see all us nuts, 
newbies or old-timers, with our hair down and relaxed.  Imagine my 
surprise when my computer wouldn't let me into the room.  I'd click 
on the link, the background image would show up, but the actual chat 
screen wouldn't.

Now, as much as this is a I'm-Not-A-Techie cry for help, I can at 
least provide some basic information.  Currently, I usually use IE 
6.0.  I have tried in desperation to get into the chat using Netscape 
Communicator.  When I've done this, a screen pops up telling me I 
need to download and activate Yahoo Voice Chat software.  I don't 
have a microphone on my computer, so I usually press 'continue 
without installing', which leads me to the blank screen that I 
explained earlier, and often causes Netscape to shut itself down.  As 
a further note, I don't believe I have any firewalls blocking chat.  
I use MSN Messenger frequently, and other IM programs, and have 
recently gone into an MSN chatroom with no problem.  I am currently 
on a DSL internet connection, but I used to be on cable, and because 
of that I know I've got some drivers that haven't quite figured out 
the switch completely yet(I'm great with software, horrible with 
hardware and tech problems, as you can probably see).  When I had a 
cable modem, I went into Yahoo Groups chat with no problem whatsoever.

Has anyone else experienced any of these problems and figured out a 
way to fix them?  If so, I'd appreciate if you'd help me out.  Email 
me either onlist or offlist, or if you really feel ambitious and 
helpful, my msn screenname is pretty_feet51@ hotmail.com .  

Thanks alot!
~Risti