Are you opposed to just switching to Linux?
If yes, I won't claim to be an expert, but I'd say get rid of Vista and get Win 7 on it. At least 7 is less of a pile of shit than Vista is. What kind of hardware problems are you expecting, specifically?
I can't really just swap to Linux. I use too much software that is windows only. I have used Linux in the past, though, and do like it. I just don't like dealing with compatibility issues. I don't have time for that shit.
This PC gives all kinds of crazy errors, especially when you first start it up. I get POST codes and sometimes the PCs just fails to start (the hard drive spins up, but nothing shows on the screen, and I have error lights lit up on the case). It also sometimes just crashes hard after you get it started (bluescreen dumps, or sometimes just locks up). Strangely enough, most of this seems to go away after it's been on for about 5 minutes, if you can get it to start (which I always can). So I think it is some piece of hardware somewhere that for some reason only works after its warmed up.
I suspect its on the motherboard because I've already replaced the hard drive, memory, and graphics card, and still get the same kinds of errors. The onboard USB controller also totally quit working, and I had to install a PCI-based one (which oddly enough can also control the on-board USB ports just fine...).
I know I should replace the MBoard, but... it still works, and I'm a lazy bastard. I don't want to have to go look up one that is compatible with all of my hardware.