Huh .

The computer I've posted about was purchased brand new and I received it as a gift in December:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread33707.html

It's kinda of difficult (make that rather rude) to say anything that sounds like complaining to the friend who gave it to me.

If I could have afforded a new computer at this time, I would not have opted for one with VISTA.

As for installing Linux, is it free?

(I have a ton of expenses already... on top of my 57-inch Sony having blown out, and having had to pay for Direct TV to work on the new Philips - I'm sure others have different preferences in brands, but the set was also a gift - I have a $322 bill due tomorrow for the heater repair company to replace the inducer motor and need to decide whether to pay $190 to have the heating element in my stove repaired, a second time, or to buy a new oven.)

Not sure how Linux relates to my original question(s), since I'm not looking to replace the O/S. If I wanted to do so, I could pop in my XP platform CDs. But thanks anyway.