When you speak of upgrading "my Dell computer", you're not speaking of installing an upgrade over top of XP are you? If so, I misunderstand, so disregard the rest of my post. :) So I'm assuming you intend to purchase a retail version of Windows 7 and do a clean install. In the first line of your post you mention 512 MB of RAM, a date, and then 2.00 GB of RAM. Does that mean it now has 2.00 GB of RAM or maybe 2 1/2 GB of RAM? Either way, I'm no expert but I'd think 512 MB is less than enough, but either 2 or 2 1/2 GB would be fine. I don't know much about Office, but wasn't Office 2003 was the last version that had the old style menu, before the newfangled ribbon came along. According to this, your Office 2002 would not be compatible but according to this, Office 2003 would be. Would your 2002 macros work in 2003? I don't know. Would it be worth the expense of buying a retail version of Windows 7, as well as Office 2003(or at least Word)? To me, probably not, to you, only you can decide. Personally, since it works, I'd probably just continue using it. Continue running a good real-time AV, occasionally scanning with a couple on-demand malware tools(Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware come to mind), use Firefox or Chrome(lie detected), using the WOT add-on(trusting it somewhat less than fully), and being careful what I open(email) and what I install. Just my opinion though. Edit: GrammerGrammar Edit2: Spelling This post was edited by chuggerguy on Thu, Jan 23, 14 at 3:10

Okay, using the Firefox "troubleshooter" I went to plug ins and set and changed "shock waver" from always on to ask. All seems much better - so far. Right now the CPU Utilization is so low the processor speed, a slow 1.4 Ghz is backing down to slower speeds to save power, this is a Laptop and does what it can to extend battery life even if the A/C is attached, or so it seems. I tried to view a video on Youtube and it asked me to enable Shock Wave, I did and the video play normally and the CUP utilization was still well below the old 90% level. This my be the culprit - I wonder what IE does about Shock Wave, I'll try to find out later. Another mystery: HOW DO I BOOT IN SAFE MODE in W8? Yes I know I'm shouting but that's how I feel about Microsoft at the moment, maybe a Mac is in my future, when I'm "rich and famous".

Hello Luis_pr, my name is Rick and I work with the Windows Outreach Team. I wanted to comment on your questions about 32 Vs 64 bit Vista. Currently most of the computer manufactures are building and offering machines that meet minimum requirements of both Vista additions. However, as you have already discovered, you will only be able to take advantage of 3.6 gigs of your ram in Vista 32. If you do not want to ÂgupgradeÂh in the future I would choose a computer with 4 gigs of Ram and Vista 64 (which are quite common and affordable at the moment). Most new processors and software will be built or written with 64bit architecture. 64 bit, is becoming the new standard for PC technology and most new apps and hardware will be built for that. I wouldnÂft worry about compatibility issues right now as many of the issues from the past have been worked out and moving forward the software will be written with the new 64bit standard. It should be noted that you will not be able to upgrade from 32 to 64, so you have to choose which ever addition you want from the start. If you have more specific questions that you wish answered I would be happy to help. Rick

Abreeze you obviously have an MSI motherboard and the CD will cover all the onboard drivers needed like LAN, sound, IDE and/or SATA. You would use this after installing Win 7. Win 7 will likely have the drivers for your video card then afterwards you can visit the video card maker's site and grab the latest drivers if you wish. This is a separate video card on not onboard? The Win 7 install will no doubt include your LG DVD burner drivers too, you will not necessarily need to install any burning software because that is included with the new operating system. If you use Skype be sure to grab the very latest version otherwise you may get compatibility issues. 4.1.0.179 Bob414 are you saying you created a dual boot system and placed both operating systems on the same partition? Normally one would create a second partition on the hard drive or have a second hard drive. By default when I dual booted XP and Win7 the Win 7 install took control and offered itself, I needed to select XP if I wanted that operating system to boot. With all other software you need to install from both operating systems but have them both point to the same file location on either the C: or D: drive so you access the same stuff from either partition.