Chris, welcome to the forum.  I don't have time just now to reply properly other than to suggest that if you are a computer novice I would get an Apple Mac like one of the new iMac G5s.  It'll end up being a bit more expensive but it'll save you hours of frustration, tearing your hair out and calling PC literate friends to sort out your computer again.

See here for where to buy Apple's in the UK.

Michael.