I think my PC is finally dying (UPDATE)

UPDATE:  Okay, I managed to successfully get the files backed up and then I just plugged my corded mouse back in and now things seem to be alright.  It took a minute or two for me to be able to click on anything but the random sporadic movements and clicking of the cursor stopped and I was able to actually finish the image I was working on and those images will all be uploaded shortly.  I guess the plugging in and out of the new mouse had something to do with it but the touch pad is also extraordinarily f**ked up so I won't be using that crap anymore.

I think it's safe to say this was just a scare.  I seriously thought it was screwed though due to the fact that what caused it was similar to what happened the last time my computer refused to boot and needed a new motherboard.

Still, I think I need to get more prepped for the day that my PC will die.  I love doing my MS Paint/Paint.net style on it but I should really get into using Photoshop more and probably save up for a pen and tablet one day.  I already am pretty experienced with Illustrator but I could stand to use that more as well.  Looks like my commissioners don't have to worry about a hiatus or anything but I just hope things stay good from now on...

Ok, so here's what happened:  I was working on finishing a Pokemon image on my PC and the corded mouse was getting slow and unresponsive and has been doing so lately so I finally just unplugged it and then tried my new wireless one that I use on my Mac.  Tried moving it around and nothing happened but the computer wasn't frozen cuz I tried moving my finger around on the built in touch pad and the cursor was moving.  I unplugged the wireless USB and plugged it into another port and still the same problem.  I can't remember if I tried putting the corded mouse back in or not but then things got bad.

Every time I tried using the touch pad, the computer just all of a sudden got really wonky.  The cursor was flying all over the place clicking on random things and the computer made this scary beeping tone every few seconds until finally it stopped.  With no other option, I put my flash drive in and copied the latest 4 files onto it to see if I could save them if anything does happen.  Right now, it's been almost a full half hour since this started and i am STILL waiting for it to copy those files onto the drive.  I also did manage to click onto Paint.net where the image was being partially worked on and it won't go back to the window with my files I was copying.  I am sitting here watching my cursor click random things every few minutes without me even touching the machine.  Although the computer is not frozen, it looks like the copying isn't going to end any time soon and I could be stuck here for a long time.

I dare not restart the computer because the last time something like this happened, my computer would not boot up properly and I had to get it taken to the shop to have the motherboard replaced which took a whole month to do and several hundred dollars.  Also, keep in mind that last time it happened because I had been plugging a pen and tablet USB cord in and out cuz it wasn't responding and then I restarted the computer and it was giving me an error message and wouldn't even take me to the login screen.

I just want to get those files copied and then take out the damn flash drive and at least have the WIP images of the pictures I was working on.  I have been preparing for this day to come for a while but I was caught off guard and I would hate for this to happen right now, especially when I still haven't completed a lot of your guys's commissions you're waiting on.  What's worse is that I don't have the money to buy a replacement if this is the end.  It would be pointless to try getting this thing fixed right now since it will undoubtedly be worse when it comes back from the shop and it will cost more money than I am able to afford at the current point in time...

I hate to say this guys but I think my 8-year-old Dell that still runs Windows Vista Ultimate has finally bit the dust.  I won't have access to MS Paint or Paint.net unless I use my parent's PC but that computer is kinda slow too so I dunno how smooth that would go.  And the timing couldn't have been any better considering I was JUST getting started on more of the commissions I owe people.  If it really does quit after this, I will have to just make your commissions on Adobe Illustrator using my pony vector puppets.  They wouldn't look too different from the style I already work with but it would be a very different and possibly longer process and not being able to do my usual MS Paint style will really leave an empty void for me.  I can adjust to new methods over time but the fact that this is happening is just really stressing me out and I don't want to say goodbye to it just yet.

If any of you have any advice on what to do with this, feel free to let me know.  I am not sure if unplugging the USB may be the best option and I am really scared to restart the computer but if I do decide to, I will update with results.  Keep me in your prayers because I am really scared right now...