Well, all that might mean something to a nerd, <g> but not so much to me. Just recall, it works just fine under the new Windows install. I really don't think there's anything really wrong with the damn hardware, just the frigging Windwoes got screwed up and the Windwoes rebuld made it worse. <shrug> We're working on figuring out how to do some sort of inline restore from an older copy of the backup, pre-FU, bearing in mind I'm computus ignoramus. Some thoughts that there's a corrupted driver involved and that's why the boot stalls. <shrug>

I have gone the independent builder route. Was not a happy experience, ended up in small claims.

You can still get Windwoes XP "downgrade" on business computers. With Dell we have a small business account. Most of the majors do that.