I finally got around to re-ordering the missing CPU for my soon to be built computer. A few months back I ordered a bunch of pieces and parts to build a new PC. I went with NewEgg for everything but the CPU. And wouldn't you know it, WiredZone decided to screw me on my CPU order. I had ordered an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Dual Core S-AM2 from them because it was listed for so little, but after waiting for a month they emailed me to say that the order had been canceled. When I contacted them they claimed that the chip has been canceled by AMD.

Hello Brian,The AMD shipment never came to us. AMD is not providing us with ETAs. We have several backorders for this processor and your order will be one of the first to ship when this arrives. Unfortunately we depend on AMD to ship the products and they haven''t been able to keep up with the demand.We value your business and look forward to answer any questions you may have.

That's right, AMD had decided to stop making their top of the line CPU for their brand new socket a month after launching it.

I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I suspect the truth is that AMD is having trouble meeting demand and everyone is price gouging because of it.

WiredZone, I suspect, wanted to take part in the fun.

So I went back to NewEgg, head in hands and shamefully ordered the 4600+ CPU instead.

I expect it to him my house later this week.

I've put everything else together, so in theory this should be a pretty quick operation.

Speaking of computers: A funny thing happened last month.

You may recall my post about Microsoft's decision to hand out free computers to review publications as part of their launch of Vista.

At the time I said I understand the reasoning, that it's a lot like giving out consoles to reviewers, but that it still left me feeling uncomfortable.

Well, the day I received the parts for my new computer (sans the CPU) I also received a big-ass box from Microsoft.

I opened it up to discover a top of the line Voodoo computer inside.

Turns out that I was among the 25 or so reviewers they sent the computer out to.

After a longish conversation with a Msoft rep and Chris Donahue, director of Windows graphics and gaming, I went to my editor at the Rocky to discuss whether I should return the PC.

The final decision was that I should keep it as a loaner, meaning it remains the property of Microsoft and not mine partly because it was loaded with an advanced copy of Vista and there were no rules about my reviewing or writing about the operating system early. Msoft also said I would be getting software updates for the computer as time went on. So I went ahead and ordered the new CPU for my personal computer and hooked up the Voodoo computer to my big screen downstairs. My desktop will be my personal computer and home to an immense stash of illegal music and video files.

Hahahaha, just kidding Microsoft, you know I love you.

I will be keeping my personal computer and its contents separate from the loaner sent me by Microsoft.

Later this week I'll be posting up a feature about my lengthy interview with Donahue about their push for Vista and the issues that I think could be caused by loaning the main PC reviewers in the country identical computers.