I won't touch XP with a barge pole. I cannot stand the look of it or the time it takes to shut down, or the hassle it gives you to install something ( as you are clearly finding out). I still find myself amazed every time I hear someone say they have just gone and installed it, or WORSE.... LIKE IT!!! Umm.... I have to go put my head in the oven now.... having an XP nightmare.... cartoon dogs.... SP2...bye, bye now.