I don't believe you know the story on XP. It has not been widely published. It is a hackers dream for access denial targets (flooding internet sites with unwanted traffic so no one else can get in). It's approach is the problem, it is unlikely tht a few quick fixes will cure it.
PC makers are relying on XP to stimulate demand. The take up has been very poor. A few horror stories certainly won't help businesses to adopt it.
Agree it is only a tiny factor, but it is being used by the bulls as a reason why PC sales and chips will recover. This is only one small example of why the optimists will be wrong.