I changed my site from a table layout to CSS layout about two years ago. I encountered similar problems.
I experimented with several options and then decided to go for fixed widths and heights on all my divs,
I then had to tweak them to make everything cross browser compatible.
How I learned was to keep my table layout page and then see if I could duplicate is EXACTLY with CSS layout ...this is an excellent way to get the hang of CSS layout...I have sinced used this technique to help convert other websites from table layout to CSS.
For displays on handhelds etc...the old handheld stylesheet is no longer revelent due to the way things are now displayed on handheld devices..they will display entire web pages easily now. The best thing to do here is to make sure ALL you code validates. I know a lot of you on this forum think that validation does not matter and only 6% of websites validate...also its helped my
SEO although the
SEO guys will shoot me down in flames for saying that!
Personally if a professional web designer cannot design a site in valid code as stipulated by the W3C
then its just down to a couldn't care less selfish attitude that tends to prevail in todays society! Including Google etc!!
Rod