See.... thats the thing. Every suggestion you all made where 100% correct when dealing with Windows, and ONLY Windows. Those tips listed above are excellent ways to keep windows working the way it was intended to work. Though I know tons of people who run *nix boxes for years and never have to: re-install, clean "the registry", format, etc. Why because Windows is technologically inferior (in my opinion). Yes, I use windows and I do all the things people suggested. The point is... We shouldnt have to. Mac OS just WORKS, Linux just WORKS, BeOS just WORKS. Therefore Windows should JUST WORK, but I guess MS feels thats not a requirement since they control the market.