I think your problem might be related to the limited amount of memory 32-bit Windows'es are able to access. If you were on XP 64, I'd tell you to stick with it and not downgrade your PC to 7Garbage or the 8th Abomination. Microsoft having stopped releasing those useless "security" patches that never protected anyone from anything is irrelevant. Linux is an option, if you're willing to accept the learning curve and live with the fact that you'll be missing on many Windows programs, even with WINE.