I have to agree with the person who posted that you should switch to Ubuntu. However, before you jump into Linux totally, maybe partition the original hard drive into 2 sections and install Ubuntu on the free area (dual boot) or install second hard drive and install it there. That way you can get "used" to Ubuntu, I did this and now everyday I enjoy it more and more. My laptop came with xp but its now totally Ubuntu, getting there as I got more comfortable with it. And it can do everything that I did in xp or vista. Except for ms fsim, but there are ways around that too. But you could go to x-plane instead. Or flight gear.
Try Ubuntu, It's sweet!! Plus the more people that use it, the better it will get!!!
I haven't had a crash in a long time now!!
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