>Just out of curiousity, why would Windows cost $610? Is that in non-US
>funds, or were you talking about buying Windows 2003 Server or 
something?
>You can buy a 1-2 CPU copy of Windows 2000 for like $100 on eBay. 
Still
>money you prolly don't want to spend, but far from being out of reach.
>Not that I'm advocating for Windows, but I just don't know why you'd 
have
>to spend $610 on Windows...

That's the total cost of making the machine ready to RX 'doze...

1. The current video card is crap, I would like a Nvidia 5200,  ($70)
2. You can't run Windows without Norton Systemworks. -- $90.
3. WordPerfect   $150
4. 'doze XP, Pro retail (Damn M$ for nickel and diming on SMP support.)  
$300

On top of that I'd probably want a C++ environment for VM work,   $400