Update - Its Works! Yeeehaw!
Hello Rev and thanks for trying to help me!
I decided that I would defy the admonishions of T-Mobile, who very clearly said DO NOT PUT THAT SONY CARD IN UNTIL THE SOFTWARE IS LOADED!!!!
Well, apparently my new laptop is a cannabis smoking rebel, because I put it in then rebooted after uninstalling all T-Mobile software and I could almost see it smile when it said, "hey, we found a Sony Ericson GC89 and we're making it work fer ya!" I then loaded the T-Mobile software and I am on here reporting my findings as we speak!
I should have known, EVERYTHING in this house (and it may have worked normally before it crossed the threshold) does everything it is NOT supposed to do.
I guess I won't crap all over vista.....LOL
Thanks,
Sharon