Remote Desktop and VPN issues

Using Microsoft's Remote Desktop (RD) at home to connect to my PC at work. 
Work PC is WinXP Pro SP2 + all updates. Have cable internet, and use VPN to 
connect.

Home PC #1 is Win98SE with the RD software downloaded and installed. RD 
works fine.
Home PC #2 is a brand-spanking new XP Home (SP2 + all updates) box 
(finally!). VPN makes connection, but ...

a) RD never connects. VPN connection status shows it is active, but trying 
to logon to RD gives the following error:

The specified remote computer could not be found. Verify 
that you have typed the correct computer name or IP 
address, and then try connecting again.

Cause: The name or IP address of the remote computer is 
incorrect. This might be a typing error.

Solution: Try typing the name or IP address of the 
remote computer again. If you receive the same message, 
contact the server administrator to be sure you are using 
the correct name or IP address for the remote computer.

This seems strange, since I made the VPN connection, and I am using the 
exact same configuration that I'm using on my Win98SE box

b) Browsers will intermittently lose connection
("www.google.com<http://www.google.com>not found...") and the VPN
connection dialog box will appear. Since I'm not
trying to connect to work, I "cancel", but I still can't reach other web 
sites. When I do the VPN logon, I can again reach other web sites. I can 
"disconnect" the VPN and, strangely, still surf for awhile, but eventually 
the VPN connection dialog box will appear again, and nothing can be found 
until I log on again.

Assistance, gentle RTFM's, links would be GREATLY appreciated.

- Dan