Dealing With The Always-Breaking Family PC?

Corby Ziesman asks: "I am sure many on Slashdot are entrusted to maintain computers for their family members. I've built a few computers for my sister over the years; however she constantly complains to me that 'something's wrong' with the computer, and claims that it 'just stopped working' all by itself. She blames the computer I built, calling it 'a piece of crap', yet it works flawlessly once I start using her old computer after she has upgraded. I've considered revoking her access to Windows, and giving her Ubuntu Linux or something, however she has a lot of games and art applications like Corel Painter that require Windows. How do I get her up and running, so that I don't have to keep fixing the computer every month? I'm tired of digging in the registry, checking the processes for spyware, and all that. I have also tried to educate her about how to use a computer intelligently, but she seems to lack common sense when it comes to what software is suspicious and bloated, and what is trustworthy. So I ask the Slashdot community: how do you cope with your family members who have a talent for torturing computers?"

simple

[smash]

Get one of these: http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/frustrations/388b / [thinkgeek.com]

Tell him/her to buy a Mac.

Problem solved.

Re:Family that refuses to learn.

[Shai-kun]

Would you be so kind as to share your list of self-help websites?

Re:Change your sister

[KwKSilver]

Well said. I was going to suggest he get his sister a brain, but your solution is more elegant and, therefore, better.

Re:Change your sister

[NitsujTPU]

The problem with purchasing his sister a brain is the installation process. Most users don't want to open the cases on their bodies, or have the requisite expertise. I'm sure that his sister could be sent back to the factory, they'll refurbish her put in the brain if necessary, and sell her at a discount, and he'll get a nice new sister.