One very big issue with the Windows 95 (and forward) operating systems was the issue of backward compatibility. From what I've read, Windows could have been a much better operating system years ago, if it were not for the mistaken notion that we had to have the ability to use our old archaic software and hardware. Just think of this. We could have had much more power, reliability and flexibility if we didn't need to keep throwbacks to the old DOS and Windows 3.1 days! Windows XP is the first major step away from that horrid legacy. Windows XP is a very significant step forward. I have what I consider to be a wimpy computer. My system came about partly due to my own choosing, and "circumstance" when I foolishly attempted to upgrade the BIOS on my old motherboard. My system: Intel Motherboard, Intel Celeron 550Mhz processor 512MB RAM 30GB and 20GB hard drives onboard AGP video (yech) onboard "network card" onboard sound card (disabled in favor of a Soundblaster Live) Hewlett Packard 7500+ CD Writer (already obsolete, but working fine) Acer 50X CD ROM (works sometimes!) HP Scanjet 3200C (HP has not made up their mind if they will fully support this scanner, but it seems to work for me) HP Deskjet 672C (obsolete!) We are networked, using a Linksys BEFSR41 router. In many ways, my system is wimpy, and nothing special. I had absolutely no problems installing Windows ME or Windows XP on this computer. I knew I'd need to upgrade some of my software before I could install it (Norton SystemWorks and Easy CD Creator). The hardware drivers were either available right off, or I found them soon after. One thing: Whenever possible, I try to stick with "brand name" parts that have been around for awhile, and look like they'll be around a few years more. I know some promising companies went out of business, or are suffering. Didn't that happen to the Voodoo people? That makes it hard for us. Ron