As to your initial problem with locking up, I would point to your
particular type of RAM memory in your computer as a culprit. It sounds
like you only have the problem when you "hit" your RAM in just the right
(wrong) way. Another fix may have been to simply swap RAM modules from one
slot to another or replace the RAM altogether.

I don't think so. It wasn't "locking up" in the traditional sense -- it was
simply disappearing, completely and utterly, without warning or apology. No
"blue screen of death", no frozen keyboard -- just, POOF, gone.

If you Google this weird problem, you'll find a zillion bulletin board posts
about it. None that I have seen mention the machine as being the culprit.

And thanks for the "Picassa" recommendation!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"