Drop-down menu problem

I'm migrating from MS FrontPage (which I detest) to Dreamweaver. In the
process, I created a navbar with drop-down menus in Fireworks. When I export
to an HTM file, the menus work just fine. I can add a table and graphics
elements. Still no problem.

But I haven't been able to figure out how to use the drop-down menus on
multiple pages without using the original HTML file to create each page. I
want to point each page to the original HTML file so that when I need to
make menu changes the changes will be reflected on all pages. I've tried
linking to the HTML file but that produces a scripting error: "menuLayer is
null or not an object."

The solution seems to be with server side include, but this appears opaque
and very tricky. Is there another approach? If so, what is it? If not, how
can I accomplish what I need to without creating a new HTML page and then
copying and pasting everything from each old page to a new one?

Sure would appreciate some thoughts. Google searches haven't shed much
light on the problem

Thanks in advance,

--Daryl Kennedy--