Blame an OS for your hardware choices. Or be too surprised if esoteric selections lead to bizarre results. I have found that with computers rational thought, even being reasonable, can pay substantial dividends. It sure sounds to me like you are practicing your own version of crap shoot computing over there to me. Sometimes the player wins, more often the house does though. So unless you own the house it doesn't pay to gamble. Bet with your head, not over it.

You should really pay attention to the lyrics of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn481KcjvMo

I think some of your decisions I'd have run from.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. --A. Einstein