so... if you read my Twitter/FB updates, skip to the next paragraph, for those of you not following life closely... my main desktop won't boot now - i'm getting the error "System Failed VGA Test", and from binging around (that's right...)
it's it's looking like my motherboard is the culprit. i already have a broken DVD writer (and 1 still working), and an older AMD 64 (Toledo) chip... and 2 GB of DDR 500 ram... and here is what I originally had/have...

i'm wondering which path i should go down for fixing this up?

1) replace the whole thing... just give up and say 6 years (or so?) was a good run, and it's time for an upgrade of everything 2) just replace the motherboard, and pick up a new DVD writer a) replace the motherboard AND the CPU at the same time b) just the motherboard, finding one that's compatible 3) ditch the whole desktop lifestyle and switch to another laptop, which i wanted anyways, to try out serato (or traktor for as low as a couple hundred) here's what i NEED to have: a system that is still bulky enough to run PlayOn, and a live (nightly or so) backup to/from Jamie's computer, and record mixes from my turntables (which i have a 1/8" jack for, so just the software to run it) here's what i'd LIKE it to have: expandability, so that if i DO go with an upgrade, it lasts another 6 years, and even longer; the ability (though i rarely use it) to play video games, hopefully whatever is out already and some of what's coming out...