Thank you for pointing out the 32 or 64 bit zero value added. I will go with 32 bit. I completely agree...wipe drive and start over. Should I go ahead with Win7 new installation disc or stick with Vista, as we are not sure that Vista 32 will solve the issue? I am open to all ideas, thanks.

I would use whichever version of Windows came originally with the machine.

  That would be Vista. TNX

If you have a (legal that can be activated) Windows 7 disc, I'd install that since Win 7 uses the same drivers as Vista.  If you would have to buy one then just go with Vista.   Just install the basic OS and drivers first and then see how the PC performs, before you add any optional software.  For Antivirus, just use the free Windows Security Essentials as it works good and not intrusive like some other antivirus software.

Remember what I said about the install sequence (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Laptop System Software (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers including Video, Dell Sound Driver, ethernet, touchpad, etc.    Although Windows (especially Win 7) will install some device drivers they are not always the right or best ones.  e.g. for the sound Windows usually just installs the basic function HD Audio Codec.

  I am confused about the "Dell Laptop System Software" and "Motherboard Chipset Drivers". I don't think I really know what you are speaking to. Sorry, for my ignorance. If you could please elaborate. I will say that I flashed the BIOS at Dell's website. Nothing has made any improvement. I am on board with either Vista or Win7. I admit that when I bought the system in 2008 I worked with a friend of mine in IT to install Vista 64 Bit Ultimate. I don't have the DVD and I think the back up restore is gone, as I can't use F8 to restore. I think he removed the partition and it does not exist anymore. I have used Dell's website to download my system SW but there has been a glitch so it has not worked yet. If I can get it to work then great if not I will seek out my friend's help to get a version of Vista 32 Bit Ultimate to do a new install. If this is not possible then maybe a Win7 32 Bit install. I am not sure that there is any advantage to use any version other than Home or Premium, as the Professional and Ultimate don't list anything that looks like it is optimized for audio streaming, but I may be wrong so let me know what you think, in case I actually have to put out dollars for this. But, if my problem is power management of the CPU and the throttling issue then will I really benefit from any of this, if I can't override this control? I mean if there is not an application that allows me to override the BIOS or change the BIOS, then what do I gain? Is it possible that this laptop is a boat anchor for my studio? I hate to think I have to shell out big money for one of the laptops on the computer page of Cakewalk. That is to say on Cakewalks website they have listed systems that are tested for this very thing. What do you think? Thanks.

just want to point this out as a clarification: in windows 32-bit there is actually a 2GB limitation per process, along with a 4GB limitation for total RAM, of which a major portion of the last 1GB (close to all of it) when 4GB physical is available ends up reserved for system I/O mapping (big chunk goes to the video card). 

you can give your process 3GB using the /3GB switch, but only if the application itself is /3GB aware. so you will get more available RAM for a specific process (sonar, etc.) in a 4GB machine by switching to 64-bit. however, in this situation, if 64-bit isn't supported, it's definitely not worth it. 

 i actually never had any issue running sonar 6PE within 2GB of RAM. even now, using X1 64-bit, i don't think it gets up that high - just depends on what you are doing and how many internal synths you are using.

The Dell Laptop (or Desktop) system software isn't an absolute must have.  But the motherboard chipset drivers are.  There are two listed in the Dell downloads for your PC, one is the Intel and I forget what the other one it.  The Intel motherboard chipset drivers are key to a successful install as one of the prime things it does is define (identify) all the devices on the motherboard.  Chipset drivers MUST be installed BEFORE installing device drivers for some device drivers (including sound) will not install.  If you try to install the sound drivers without the chipset drivers on most systems the driver install will not find the sound hardware and thus abort.

Although your laptop was designed for XP and Vista 32bit (and it is "old" technology in computer hardware) It should work OK with Win 7 and as I noted Win 7 is "Vista improved".  The "ultimate" version is really designed for commerical business users and not for home or a recording studio.  Professional has some additional networking capabilites but that is not a recording system requirement either.  There are other items in the Ultimate and Professional but their names are more marketing than actual substance.  Many people buy the higher priced Ultimate version as they assume, based on its name, that it is better and they must have it. 

  Well I am certainly going to go with 32 Bit and I do have 4GB of physical memory installed so does that mean I have to do something when I install the new OS to be able to use it? I also agree that Home or Premium versions of Vista or Win7 will work fine and there is no advantage to to the other more expensive versions for home studio use only.

The OS will recognize the 4GB.  Actually a 32 bit OS can only address a little less than 4GB.  You will wind up with 3 to 3.5GB of useable (user useable) memory.  With a 64 bit OS, it will address the full 4GB but you will wind up with the same 3 to 3.5GB of useable memory.  The rest of the memory is reserved for system/hardware use. 

On my old PC (a Q6600 quad CPU) with the original Vista 32 bit OS, and 4 GB of RAM I had 3.24GB of useable memory. 

  I have my 32 Bit Win7 Professional DVD in hand. I guess I am ready. When I reached out to my friend and explained the problem, he gave me Win7 not Vista...I am somewhat confident that if he felt there would be a big problem with Win7 over Vista he would have given me Vista...anyway, if I need Vista, he should have it.