here's a solution: hit your computer with a hammer at least six times. then, just when it seems like it may have a little bit of life left in it...hit it again. Then, pack up half of the pieces and send the package to Bill Gates with the message "If you'd like to see the other half of your son, please release a fully tested OS that actually...works."

That'll teach him.

XP is actually a good system. Good enough for personnal use anyway. I think that security is way overrated sometimes. If you have a good router firewall and an up-to-date anti-virus, there is no reason to be worried. I never had one single virus, and only got attacked once, but that was at work before we had a firewall installed (and thanks to that hacker who broke into our Network, the boss finally agreed to get the FW we've been asking for installed). Since then, nothing.

I think XP and OSX are now pretty much equal in features and stability now that Apple finally got themselves a decent OS.

Ive had trouble with linux because of the soundcard sb live. Linux looks alot like osx, the way os is layed out. I dont think OSX is that unique after trying Redhat.

I might just get a new mobo and 64bit processor this week and sell what I have for big ram
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paxx, I can conditionally agree with you about features, but XP's stability, at least before SP1...and even a little after, was laughable. I have yet to try SP2, but I heard that there are already holes in that..

, but XP's stability, at least before SP1...and even a little after, was laughable.

I've been using XP for quite some time now. I haven't had any stability issues, even prior to SP1. Security holes are going to happen, but as paxx says, it's not that hard to protect yourself. I'm sure if OSX were as widely used as XP we'd learn of all sorts of 'holes'.

One thing I would try to avoid if possible is integrated video or sound. A P4 system with 32MB integrated video or integrated sound, is worthless(in my opinion). I would make sure that if the computer does come with anything integrated(Except maybe ethernet), that you can disable it and install your own AGP or PCI card. For this reason, I would prefer Gateway Direct. At least you could get knowlegdeable support from them.

Would it be cheaper just to get a Gateway from BestBuy???

I think you need to look at your cost from BestBuy. Gateway offered me a ready to go P4 2.4 Ghtz system with 512 MB Ram for 600.00. Hmm, I paid 300.00(board and processor) plus 200.00(memory) and 120(case and power supply). Total cost 620.00(not including the extra $10 for neon fans). But, I got a P4 3.0 Ghtz with 1 GB of ram, and a awesome custom case. And, I know my system a lot better now. I know exactly what's in it.(512 MB of memory is $200 more from Gateway alone) So, the cost is now $800 for a ready made system with the same ram that I have.

You have to decide what you can do yourself, and how much it is going to actually cost you. Then, decide if the packaged stuff is actually better or acutally saving you anything. I mean, a 2.4 system is already obsolete.

(Hint: Gateway offers a P4 3.2 Ghtz board and Processor with 5 PCI slots for the same price as mine. They told me the P4 3.0 was compatible with my system(case,memory and power supply). So I opted for the 3.0 Ghtz system. They lied, or didn't know that a P3 system is no way compatible with a P4 system. The plugs on a P4 motherboard will not work on a P3 case nor the Power Supply. The memory is not compatible either. I found out the hard way. So, I could have got a 3.2 Ghtz system. Darn.

XP home will run fine on a .5GHz as well. And for the money...go buy a new mboard, proc and memory. You'll be amazed at how cheap that is, and how much of a performance gain it buys you. Most everything is now integrated on the boards, so all you'd need is a new video subsystem (ouch! they're pricey). I built a really nice Athlon 3K+ for about $500. You can't do that on your Dell/HP.

Rock solid too, but then again, I'm a hardware guy that works on 32CPU Windows servers...

I'm a gamer... Wonder why they even invented integrated graphics. Linux must not be me because I have SB live.

I just noticed that I have less than a gig of hd space left out of 20. Also, WinCustomize isn't letting me upload anything. Any ideas??? Thanks for all the help. Maybe I should do someting about this white computer this winter....

I just noticed that I have less than a gig of hd space left out of 20.

1. Check for spyware. Hotbar had a 3GB file on my hard drive when I used it. If you are using any toolbar, it might keep track of your usage and create a really large file.

2. On WinXP, empty your windows/prefetch folder and windows/temp folder. Reduce the space for restore points, they can use a awful lot of space(I have mine set for the minimum,200MB). If your computer is stable, you don't need the archived folders from windows updates. Delete them. They are the first folders in the windows folder. They are the ones with the really long folder names. Then, click each of the Windows Updates in Add/Remove Programs. It will tell you there is a error because they are removed. And it will remove the errors. Empty your internet cache.

3. Do a clean install of WindowsXP, not a upgrade install. A update install will store a lot of junk from the previous OS.

4. Get a second hard drive. I have a 20GB as my primary too. But, I only have 9GB used. I put all my games on a different hard drive, and all my saved downloads are on another hard drive. One completed game with saves can use 2 to 3 GB's. MP3's can take up a lot of space too. I have 6GB's of MP3's. They are not on my primary either. The way I handle my primary hard drive, it will be a long time before I even use another gig.

5. Get a program called Windows Washer. It is a great program for clearing out junk from the OS system. (End of spiel)

I went to BestBuy yesterday and looked at the Gateway 700GR. It has ATI X300 PCIe graphics, a gig of ram, 3.4GHz and 200 gig serial ata hard drive. It is here: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050002&id=pcmprd21900050003&skuId=999921800050003&type=product&count=1

Oh, and I have Spybot, Wincleaner. I am most likely now as all options I now know about, I will likely get a new shiny PC this Winter.

$1700? ouch. Give me $200 and I'll make your Gateway a P4 3.2 Ghtz system for $600. Total cost $800. Total savings $900!!!

At the store it's 1550. I like the case and the blue power lights. And the media card reader. AND the dual- layer DVD writer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's 3.4GHz, not 3.2. I noticed that it has integrated audio, but I can put one audio card in. Sound cards have so much junk that come with them though.

It's 3.4GHz, not 3.2.

I'm referring to the motherboard/processor upgrade that Gateway offers. Not much difference from the BestBuy 3.4 Ghtz and a Gateway 3.2 Ghtz upgrade.

I like the case and the blue power lights.

There is a MSC Blue Crystal Case(89.00). The case is totally see through and light blue in color. You can add neon blue fans and there is also a neon blue illuminated fan controller available that fits into the extra 3.5 floppy drive. Or you can get a different color case and different color fans. But, the blue one rocks. You can make your system look better than anything at Best Buy.

I just got a couple of black DVD drives, and next I want the Soundblaster Extigy2. I have the Audigy 2 but, it doesn't have the black face. I got a black 3.5 floppy drive and next I need a black 19" LCD monitor. Then, I'm totally rockin'. Customizing is really fun.

You can order a black Audigy2 cover from Creative http://www.creative.com/

Yeah, probably, but wouldn't it be fun to have the Audigy2 in its entirety? I think I'd like to set my system up like the above, in a totally up to date system. Then, I won't need to upgrade it for another two years and maybe I can retire a nice system for my kids someday. But, upgrading is a never ending process too. Next, I'll probably want a ATI 256MB all in one video card, and another GB of Ram. Then, as Jim Carey said, "Smokin'". Darn Lottery, why can't I win.

Chas, it's a removable front panel, just like the removable panel on the side of your tower (Or Shuttle, if that's the case). Except it pops up from the bottom.