My current desktop computer is around four years old; most parts are 2-3 years old, but it's been acting up for about two years.   I'm not a hardware person, although I did build this system (the day after knee surgery, no less). It worked fine until it didn't boot, which was supposedly a power supply issue according to PC Guru, but since that first fix, and another, despite CPU, PS, HD, and MoBo replacement, I've had continual problems with spontaneous reboots and Office won't update. 

I've been exceptionally bad about fixing the problems.  I thought part of the problem was the crap Time Warner installed when they installed my cable modem (me being a newbie to broadband, and the tech being mute was a bad mix).  I've reformatted the HD, then replaced it and built it back up from scratch, but still problems. 

I finally tried PC Tune Up and System Mechanic,  and while they found a lot of problems, only the reboot issue has improved (but isn't resolved).  So I figured it was time to upgrade the hardware.  I need to decide if I wan to stick with XP or upgrade to Vista, and if I want to upgrade to the newest version of Office.   Decisions, decisions.

In 2005, I spent $500 for a mid-level  system. 

This seems pretty mid-level as well.  I could just buy a system, but I'm hesitant to buy pre-built with all their extra crap laoded on.  I haven't done tech support in a long time, so I'm a little leery about building a new system, and while I'm A+ certified, I don't think that certification is worth the paper it's printed on.  But I think I'll be doing so real soon.  I'm seriously thinking I need to take this list down to Logic Approach or maybe Laboratory Computers and buy local along with get some advice. Now,m if they were only participants in Go Local Austin. Although doing a quick check, I can save 200-300 more if I just build it myself.

My soft-shut down UPS is also four years old, and I'm considering buying a new 'greener' one, CyberPower 810 Watts UPS.  I also need to get a wireless router, so that's another thing to research. I know the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router is considered pretty good, but I've never set up wireless networking, so I'm feeling a bit challenged. I'm much more of a software person, like I said.

I really need to find out if there's a way to set up my wireless router away from the computer, so I can move my desk location. My current printer is setup for wireless, and I have a laptop for work, so I just need a wireless desktop to make it all work. And a bigger desk, but that's another story.

So basically, this is a call to action for me to exercise my techie skills, which have atrophied. It's never too late for that.

Any advice from you all? I know at least a few of you silent readers are techies with HW expertise.