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 until I got/built a new system but that isn't 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 completely 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 remember 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...rating_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 my computer for research, photos, surfing etc. I usually multi-multi task, having too 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...rating_systems
That the home edition is DVD ( I only have CDROM and CDR-RW drives) what's up with that?

Is there any new OS's that I should wait for? Do I want XP? Is the firewall any good? Can everything 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/p...ade/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 snswers I find here.

Thanks for your time and efforts,

Cheers,
Cliffhucker

OK, an excellent idea as ME is the WORSEST OS that M$ have ever made.
Your machine specs will run it but I advise more RAM (512 runs well) and a larger, possibly secondary hard drive (XP uses about 1.5 Gig installed).
Now which one to go for, what ever you get should include SP2, but it doesn't really matter. XP64 is for 64 bit machines (not yours), OEM is for a brand new machine (also not yours) and you really don't want an Upgrade disc as this will install ontop of ME, a very bad move.
So really it boils down to Home or Pro, from what you have said Home will be fine. Pro is really designed for business use with domain type networking.

The install is a very simple case of boot to the CD and follow the directions. Part of the install process is a complete format (wiping your drive) thus giving a blank canvas to work on.

The next OS from M$ won't run on anything but the highest spec machines, so there is no point in waiting.
On adding new hardware, this is also very easy, but would be best tackled once you have the base OS up and running.
The WIndows Firewall in SP2 is OK for starters, will stop most "script kiddies", but a good software (Zonealarm) or even better Hardware (Router setup) firewall is a must.

The reinstall route I always use is:
Install XP
FULLY patch it with Windows Update
Install Anti Virus, update and scan (AVG is good and free)
Install Anti spyware, update and scan (A couple of good removal tools are Spybot and Adaware)
Defrag.

Hope this gives you some things to think on.