IMHO Joe, I would have thought and considering that you have a project to complete, that it would be better to go to your local techie and get your computer repaired. Ok so it will cost you money you may well be loath to part with, but your project is more important.

Then when Win7 comes out, have a good look around for a brilliant deal and then take your time to get that machine loaded with all your software and documents off the old machine(s).

I would want the full clean version of Win7 already installed on my new machine with CD.

Les