la la la la la la (holding ears and eyes pretending not to listen because I don't want to know the lifespan of a computer)...

I don't have any words of wisdom, but send you my sympathies. Our computer is 5 years old and I just KNOW it's gonna die someday. I HATE that it's cheaper to buy new than to repair- so wasteful. We've spent a couple hundred dollars in the last year or two updating and keeping this ol' gal going. I just can't throw it away when I know I can fix it (stupid environmental conscience... ).
I guess that's why our cars are 14 and 6 years old- and still going. I really think it's because I'm a cheapskate deep down- but that's another story.

Try fixing it on your own or getting an estimate before you buy new. It may only be a little amount to keep her going strong for another year or two. Poor 'puters...

And Vista- I'm reluctant to go that way also... my brain can't possibly learn a new system- I just mostly got this one down.