Goodbye Windows Vista, Hello Linux

I have faithfully been performing my Window's updates since I bought my Sony Vaio laptop last year, but two weeks ago my CPU started spiking and everything started to become slooooow. Since I run McAfee, it didn't seem to be a virus problem. I hadn't installed any new drivers but my Arcsoft webcam no longer works and crashes the system, providing the indomitable blue screen of death. Last time it worked was when I tried Chatroulette briefly for about one minute.

After looking closely at the processes., it seems like TrustedInstaller.exe loves to run often and frequently, taking up high CPU cycles of about 40 - 50 percent. Stopping it occasionally seemed to help but then online forums warn against that, in case an important update is missed. I checked MSCONFIG for startup software and other processes running on the system, and eliminated some. I also ran chkdsk /f to fix any disk errors (there were some), and "sfc /scannow" as administrator from the dos prompt. Nothing.

After reading a British publication called PC Plus, I discovered that root kits are ubiquitous and McAfee anti-virus software provides little defense against them. After downloading Sophos and StopZilla to fix any rootkit problems (hidden processes that allow a remote user to take over your computer), my machine couldn't take it any more. Another impromptu blue screen of death forced me to startup in safe mode, and everything was working fine -- apparently an indication that the issue is software, (ie., a driver), and not hardware. On startup the laptop generously informed me Windows was broken but could be repaired and restored to an earlier functioning point. This was very pleasing and the device held true to it's word, although it still has the CPU issue.

Admittedly, I may have shut down some of the zillions of services operating on my system and no doubt that caused instability. Today I bought a new 2.5 inch SATA hard drive for my VGN-FW351J and will install Linux Ubuntu on it. Maybe I will also install Windows 7 at a later date, but for now I just want something that works...