a beginner

Ok well I have some many questions I want to ask but I will try to keep it short.I use to have my own computer and I had some music production tools on it(can't remember which one)and it well became a passion of mine til my pc crashed and I lost everything.I don't even know to much about this stuff but I would really like to do this more and with out my pc I don't have any producion tools or equipment so I was wondering if someone could tell me what is the best equipment is for a beginner?and what the differences is between a sampler and a mixer?and I have been looking for a good drum machine but I am trying to get one that has alittle of everything if their is one like that?Like the MPC-4000 does this machine have a built in mixer/sampler/sequencer?

I don't have anyone in my personal life to ask for help so I like to ask anyone I can because I have a passion for this and many many ideas that I would love to put to work.Thanks to anyone that helps me!!!!

keep it real
The Historian