Thanks, steve2 and darkspilver -- that helps.
I never quite got the mechanics/electronics of it until these recent queries and subsequent explanations. I figured it was my very old DELL giving me the business. My equally old but more expensive Apple PowerBook doesn't even allow me to interact here; I can only read text -- there are no images, etc.
Hence, my initial reasoning on the ineptitude of my ancient equipment.
darkspilver: Thus, despite the warning, posts do go through? Well, obviously they had, but it's only on a new thread.