If I could stay with XPPro I would. Learning a new operating system is always a PITA.
I take it you don’t like Windows 8 or 8.1 which are being offered by Dell on new machines?
The latest version of Windows always seems to be more problematic than the one it replaces.
Just talked to the tech. - New hard drive, new OS = $350(W7)
done by lunch tomorrow.
Sounds good enough.
Meanwhile, I think I will learn more about Linux.