Thanks so much, Peeps ...
but the F8 didn't do anything. For some reason, it appears my
boot files are among the missing.

I have ordered a disc
for Win 7 Home Premium so I guess I'll have to use that to solve
the problem.
Here's another gem for ya ... whomever installed my new laptop
with Windows 7 didn't bother to give it a product key so I basically
have no OS on here. Called the vender (return computer at
great cost to me), contact Microsoft (to no avail) or Acer.
Not one can give me a product key ... hence my ordering Windows 7.
Yeah ... I'm having great luck with my computers these days ...
Thiz