The only issue with memory and not booting is when you first install. You -sometimes- but not always have to pull all but 1 stick of memory until you update fully.
id stick with XP if you want better performance from your machine. building a high spec machine and putting vista on it is like building a high spec machine and then intentionally making it a bit worse for no good reason.
stick with XP.
you COULD be one of those cool kids and use a linux distro, but i wouldnt recommend it.
There is nothing wrong with running Vista. I do it with no issues at all. Please do not come by here and get the XP/Vista wars going again. They jsut stopped. You are entitled to your opinion on Vista. But coming in and bashing Vista is not going to happen. I have already asked several to stop cause it has been 18 months now. Time to stop with the complaints. Thank you.