Getting the kinks out of my MJ installation

[Al Fresco]

My first time on this site. Followed directions, plugged in the MJ and got it to work. Next day, turn on computer, splash screen up, but no MJ connection. I clicked on the MJ shortcut icon and, nothing. Looked at Zone Alarm and saw MJ made several unsuccessful attempts. Disabled Avast. Unplugged MJ, plugged in after 30 seconds. Don't remember every step I took, but sooner or later MJ started. Restarted Avast. Everything worked fine. But each day had to mess around, unable to figure out any single sequence to make it run, but got it to work every day. Then I found a site that said to change the "line" in my computer, etc., to X for MJ and Y for phone. Did that. Next day my computer would not pick up the DSL. Went to Microsoft connection repair and it reconnected me. Disabled the Avast. Clicked on the MJ icon and after awhile it finally connected. So, I get MJ connected every day, and it works OK, but getting it connected is a mystery. ANYONE SUGGEST A SEQUENCE I SHOULD FOLLOW OR SETTING CHANGES. Unfortunately I am a 73 year old liberal arts grad, so you know tech stuff is a challenge for me.