ActiveX isn't what is going to crash your computer....ActiveX that can't be registered or traced, just might. If it has a certificate, then it is probably OK.

I own three computers myself, 2 with XP pro, and a laptop with Vista Premium......I hate the laptop.
I actually run it visually like XP, I can't stand all that frilly stuff that comes with it.
Beside, if you run Vista full out, you NEED 256megs of RAM to run just vista.
There are times I want to flay the keys off my laptop with a sledge.

Actually, depending upon your router or modem, it may be possible. Mine came with programming that allows me to automatically renew my IP address every 24 hours. Sometimes it changes my IP, sometimes it doesn't.
Your physical IP for your actual computer, not without creating a whole new connection profile, and then there is the possiblity that it will conflict with your existing one.

I prefer Crysis, best FPS I've played in years. The Crytek game engine has such awesome rendering, everything in the game has a very real appearance to it.
But I like to play it online, nothing like sniping some one from a half mile away!
I only play PC games though, the AI on gaming consoles is far to limited. PC AIs have better adaption abilities.

stay away from motel 7, it's drug house, I would try the Olde Towne Lodge on 2nd Avenue west. They have pretty good prices.

just turned 45 this month.

www.clancoyote.moonfruit.com
starshattermods
turbosquid
The3dstudio

get a new mouse

There is one way to stop the "anti virus 2009" trojan virus from infecting your computer.
When that warning pops up, your two obvious options are to click the OK button or the x button to close. Do NIETHER!
hit ctrl+alt+del and bring up your task manager,
and under the tab of programs running, you'll see an email link with the win anti virus 2009 that is on your desktop. Click on it then click on end program at the bottom of the task manager.
If you click the x button to close the program from your desktop, you will actually be clicking a link that goes right back to the OK button.
What this virus does, is infect your system, and then the only way to remover the warning is to download and install their antivirus program. But that's not all, the program is NOT free, they want a hefty sum for the full version for the antivirus program.
Sad news? After your subscription runs out, the virus warning pops up again. In other words, the antivirus program will NOT remove the threat, simply hide from you.
System restore WILL NOT remove this threat.

what BrettBrett has suggested, is the proper way to check on your system. Also it's not a bad idea to DEFRAG your hard drive as well.
If your hard drive is too fragmented, it will run slow and may even crash from time to time.
You can overclock if you want to, but I don't recomend it. Usually your board is already overclocked to a safe maximum speed. Going past that can burn out your processor, memory, even your motherboard and hard drives.
Formating is a quick way out, but is still no guarentee that your system will run any faster.
Rule of thumb, Memory is a key. If it's XP, you want at least 64megs just for the OS, and I would recommend that you figure out which program uses the most memory. Add the 64 to that and double it on your computer (if it can handle it).
Processor also needs to be relatively powerful as well.
WARNING! If you are using hyperthreading on your processor, I would strongly advise against overclocking. You can burn out your processor in a matter of months or weeks.