"heap dispose fail" and "no response from port map service"

we were getting the errors below with one laptop (an HP nc6400 laptop,
using what appears to be the same broadcom driver as some other laptops
that work). So we installed HP5 hoping it would work. But to no avail.

Here is the whole sequence of error messages:

heap dispose fail
heap dispose fail

ERROR: No response from port map service

then it retrys or thinks a bit and then:

Execute DNX: MENU.DNX with parameters DEFMENU.DAT

ERROR: The file is not recognized and cannot be executed

Any clues/ideas what to do?

Peter