Changing OS, ME to XP???

[cliffhucker]

Ok, I am considering finally getting ME off my system and going to XP.

My system runs pretty good ( I try to keep it as clean and lean as possible) except for all the ME quirks that are well known: error screens, restarts, improper shutdows, software conflicts, etc.

I was going to wait untill I got/built a new system but that isnt going to happen anytime soon. And I think it (my current hardware) can handle XP fairly well. (as far as system requirements go)

I have a gateway computer that I bought back in 2000. AMD800 (Gateway Select 800)
I upgraded my RAM to 320MB and I have a whopping 15 gigs HD ( I am only using 5g tho)

I want to completly clear my system and do a clean install. I am ready to burn all my files to CD that I want to keep as well as downloads (firewall,AV, etc)

I remember crashing once back in 2001 and I had to reinstall the OS. I had Gateway techs help me on the phone and remeber doing what they called "writing Zeros to the hard drive" ? is this getting as clean as an install as you can get? I want to start as clean as possible as though the harware components were new.
Would this mean flashing new Bios? How would I do it?

I want to know if I can just put an XP disk in and follow directions?

Also, which XP do I want?
http://iwonshopping.shopping.com/xPP-software--operating_systems
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/default.mspx

Pro or Home? SP2? , Upgrade? , OEM?, XP64?, (can it run on my system? and then be used on a new upgraded dual core system later)
Where is a good /cheap site to order it? I am not a gamer. I run a small business and like to use my computer for research, photos, surfing etc. I usually multi-multi task, having to much going at once.
I do not network or have wireless connections etc. I'd like something that I can later load onto a new system.
I noticed here:
http://iwonshopping.shopping.com/xPP-software--operating_systems
that the home edition is DVD ( I only have CDROM and CDR-RW drives) whats up with that?

Is there any new OS's that I should wait for? Do I want XP? Is the firewall any good? Can everthing be controlled? I like to do all updating manually ( I do manual updates more often than automatic anyways; AV, OS, etc)
Most of these reasons aren't for me:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/top10.mspx
Should I wait till I can build a dual core pc and get something better?
what about XP media center? is it all XPPro and then some?

Are there any major issues I need to be aware of? Other than that I should build a new system.

I am researching as much as I can but I completely respect all the answers I find here.

Thanks for your time and efforts,

Cheers,
Cliffhucker

 

[Tyler1989]

I honestly only recomend upgrading up to Windows 2000 in your case.

 

[cliffhucker]

ME to XP?

Tyler1989,

Could you elaborate a bit?

I have been on a 2000 system before and liked ME better, creating picture files, slideshows etc. it seemed more media friendly.

Thanks,

Cliffhucker

 

[derrmc]

Ok, I am considering finally getting ME off my system and going to XP.

My system runs pretty good ( I try to keep it as clean and lean as possible) except for all the ME quirks that are well known: error screens, restarts, improper shutdows, software conflicts, etc.

I was going to wait untill I got/built a new system but that isnt going to happen anytime soon. And I think it (my current hardware) can handle XP fairly well. (as far as system requirements go)

I have a gateway computer that I bought back in 2000. AMD800 (Gateway Select 800)
I upgraded my RAM to 320MB and I have a whopping 15 gigs HD ( I am only using 5g tho)

I want to completly clear my system and do a clean install. I am ready to burn all my files to CD that I want to keep as well as downloads (firewall,AV, etc)

I remember crashing once back in 2001 and I had to reinstall the OS. I had Gateway techs help me on the phone and remeber doing what they called "writing Zeros to the hard drive" ? is this getting as clean as an install as you can get? I want to start as clean as possible as though the harware components were new.
Would this mean flashing new Bios? How would I do it?

I want to know if I can just put an XP disk in and follow directions?

Also, which XP do I want?
http://iwonshopping.shopping.com/xPP-software--operating_systems
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/default.mspx

Pro or Home? SP2? , Upgrade? , OEM?, XP64?, (can it run on my system? and then be used on a new upgraded dual core system later)
Where is a good /cheap site to order it? I am not a gamer. I run a small business and like to use my computer for research, photos, surfing etc. I usually multi-multi task, having to much going at once.
I do not network or have wireless connections etc. I'd like something that I can later load onto a new system.
I noticed here:
http://iwonshopping.shopping.com/xPP-software--operating_systems
that the home edition is DVD ( I only have CDROM and CDR-RW drives) whats up with that?

Is there any new OS's that I should wait for? Do I want XP? Is the firewall any good? Can everthing be controlled? I like to do all updating manually ( I do manual updates more often than automatic anyways; AV, OS, etc)
Most of these reasons aren't for me:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/top10.mspx
Should I wait till I can build a dual core pc and get something better?
what about XP media center? is it all XPPro and then some?

Are there any major issues I need to be aware of? Other than that I should build a new system.

I am researching as much as I can but I completely respect all the answers I find here.

Thanks for your time and efforts,

Cheers,
Cliffhucker

you will need all of your 15 gig. your pc will work, memory is the most important. sp2 will slow you down. xp pro will be the best.