The VZ Manager works fine with my PC. With my laptop, Compaq NC4010, running Windows XP, I get the message "A connection to the remote computer could not be established."

The phone is recognized by the laptop.

My IT people say all the settings seem right, etc.

I am on the verge of cancelling the service because I need it to work with the laptop when I am travelling.

Any advice on what to try?

By any chance are you plugging the cable into an extension port for USB? If so, try going direct to one of the USB ports on the laptop itself.