I was that way, too. Now I'm majoring in Computer Science at the University of Virginia.
That said, it might be a good idea to teach him the distinction between computers that just have to work and computers that he can experiment on and learn from. And, when I grew up, the RIAA wasn't running amok, suing people left and right.
We old men keep hearing that if one has a PC problem get the 13yo next door to fix it.
Well, in the real world the 13yo next door is a dumbass.
They do not go on to pursue the career as you are doing. I wish you lived next door because you could have probably painlessly fixed this in five minutes. As could many here.
To give TheMom credit she had all the wiring right. My wife rocks!
Finally, when in the history of time could on have gotten this much help this fast? Never.
Thanks to all of you!