At the risk of going off-topic, if any of you are interested in just trying out Linux without installing it on your computer, there are versions which will run directly from CD. A google search for "live cd linux" will turn up link after link of free downloads that will each fit on a bootable cd. The sites themselves usually include instructions but i'd be willing to help in any way i can. Feel free to drop me a line. I don't know much about Linux, to be frank, but I've tried out more than one of these live cds so I have an idea of what that experience is like for the newbie.

As far as the reformat and all that goes, I agree that that seems to have been a drastic measure, but without more info it is hard to tell so I would hesitate to rate the quality of the advice you received.

OTOH, the advice to maintain backups is very sound. You never really know how much your data means to you until it is gone. I have found this out the hard way. I know you may not have the wherewithal to maintain a comprehensive disaster proof backup scheme, but there are ways to get the most important stuff safely put away. If you have a cd burner, you can compress your most important files and copy them to it. Or if you have a large enough hard drive, you can "partition" it and apportion a space for backups seperate from the main operating system files.

Perhaps your friend from Micro$oft can give you a hand with this stuff. But if not, you are free to pm me and I will try and provide more info if you like. Don't worry about it being too hard. Essentially, if you can follow step by step instructions, you can have a successful backup strategy.