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

If he really does not know what he is doing he runs the risk of wiping out his C drive, personally I do not suggest trying partitioning for those that are not fairly computer experienced, with out guidance at hand. I see every day, people who were trying to partition their windows to put in linux or some other OS on part of the drive, and are now frantic because some how all their stuff is gone. Since he already has the 2 partitions, I think you have the best way to go with what you have told him to do use it exactly as it is and keep his C drive nice and clean, put his data and stuff on the other partition. At the same time go through and clean out and eliminate completely what is no longer needed. Every linux live cd comes with a great partition tool built in and you can get a linux live cd free or burn an iso of a distro to make your own live cd. This link is one that was given to me way back when I first needed to partition a drive for my linux, it does a good job of covering the basics. Studying several of these tutorials is always an excellent idea. How To: Repartition Your Hard Drive For Free Without Formatting or Losing Data and before doing anything I sure would get one of the free drive imaging programs and do a few images of the drive in case something goes bad.

Malwarebytes runs when you decide to update and run it. Not entirely accurate. There are versions of Malwarebytes...as in Malwarebytes Anti Malware Pro - v.2.0.1.1004...that I can personally attest does the following quite efficiently for a one time charge of $24.95 when I purchased it in 2011: "What it does for you Detects and protects against malware in real-time Blocks hacking and phishing attempts Schedules automatic scanning Offers three flexible scanning modes How it works for you Anti-Malware/Anti-Spyware Malicious website blocking Real-time protection Heuristic detection Integrated Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit Hyper Scan mode Scan/Database update scheduler Integrated Malwarebytes Chameleon Advanced malware removal Antivirus compatibility" I suggest you may wish to give it a look at: https://helpdesk.malwarebytes.org/forums HTH Anne

Ok this is simple now. Just use Google and type edit registry and millions of hits appear. Look through the first few and you will find many tutorials with good graphics showing step by step. You are nervous and rightly so because of all the warnings about messing up a registry. HOWEVER, this is nothing more than making a correction to a spelling error if you look at it that way. First time just go into the registry working down to the needed page. Once there you can walk away and grab a coffee if you feel stress, or you can make the simple correction to the one entry in question. Those of us who help others always need to stress the importance of caution in the registry because of those who are so impetuous. my ex son in law is a good example, he goes into a computer like a bull in a china shop. Luckily I do not have to clean up behind him anymore :) Now I have learned how to put stuff into a flash drive and save my files. Why? You are going to back up the registry as a precaution, nothing more. To save your work, assuming it is stored in My Documents. Insert the thumb drive, cancel the popup right click Start click Explore Now you see Windows Explorer opened Look near the top on the left side and right click on My Documnts click Properties in the pop up Look to see how large the My Documents folder is and if you have enough room on the thumb drive. We'll assume you have room. OK.... Click My Documents to highlight On the right side click the top item to highlight Hold down the Shift key and tap the End key now all the right side is highlighted right click anywhere on the highlighted data click Copy in the pop up Scroll down the left side now to find the thumb drive right click on it in the pop up click Paste and the contents are copied to your thumb drive - or any other drive you designate. Done! Simple huh?