Ahem...while the ebb and flow of unadulterated disdain (on both sides) has been quite interesting (even amusing) to watch develop...this thread has gone more than a bit off track...
Zilah, were you able to check the security policies and the IE security settings David suggested and see if anything was different on the laptop than the desktop?
I'd also like to suggest taking a look at the Reg Fix outlined in this
Microsoft forum post by Jonathan Kay. Sounds like a problem similar to yours and he gives a link to download a fix. Probably can't hurt since Jonathan Kay is widely regarded as the Grand Poobah of all WLM gurus.
Please let me know if this helps at all.