email from brother

[plater]

Christina Beth Plater, have you actaully used the computer?!! (That was yelled in Mom's mean voice)

From what Mom has told me, they still cannot shut the computer down and it takes a while to log on / off and to use any of the programs.
From what David tells me there are a bunch of viruses on the computer.

Solution 1 - Fix Old:
Dave sits down with Mom and Dad and backes up all needed files onto CD/Flash drive - or other portable device.
Dave decides what software is actually used and needed (Specifically, an OS and MS Office)
Dave determines if he has or can get all the software needed. If not, get new computer. If so continue...
Dave reformats the PC - wiping it clean
Dave installs OS (Probably XP would be best) and gets ALL the updates.
Dave installs office and gets ALL the updates
Dave installs Anti-virus software and gets ALL the updates
Dave installs more RAM.
Dave scans backed up files and prays there are no viruses
Dave copies backed up files to newly reformatted machine.
Dave is done. Good job Dave.

Solution 2 - Buy New:
Dave sits down with Mom and Dad and backes up all needed files onto CD/Flash drive - or other portable device.
Dave buys new computer - we give money.
Dave scans backed up files and prays there are no viruses
Dave copies backed up files to newly reformatted machine.
Dave is done. Good job Dave.