thanks one and all, I am happy to see that I didn't cause too much consternation, the links about dual booting were fun to read but a tad above my knowledge base. I am NOT sure that the wrod IS terrabyte, rather than terta but i think it was tetra, because its supposed to be MASSIVE like library of congress capacity big. I will do further research. anyone know where/how to get a machine ? I am not sure if I should contact gateway or deel or maybe geek squad, I am afraid I will get taken. I will keep posting as the situation develops.