You sure those "tricks" aren't related to the OS and/or drivers?

As developers, we typically install and uninstall lots of applications. But often remnants are left floating in particualr in the registry. Doing a clean install guarantees a clean start in the registry.

>I guess I will begin with an upgrade on my laptop and see how it goes because Vista was a real PITA on that machine. Upgrade also because I don't want to waste too much time over this. Then later I'll do a clean install. But perhaps never a clean install because my portable is beginning to play tricks on me. So I could buy a new one in the beginning of next year.