Before buying Windows XP and if you have a internet connection. You should goto http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

Here you can read about the advisor. It is a big download, about 50 meg, but it will check for any compatiblity issues of both software and hardware.

Or you can buy the Windows XP and use the advisor on the cd. This will also check for the compatibilty issue. THis will generate a report telling what hardware and software issues your computer has.

There are 3 ways to do a upgrade and 2 for full version

For the Upgrade

1 is from within Current version, You can do a upgrade or clean install from thiws way.

2 In the bios have cd-rom first, floppy-c: drive- clean or upgrade

3 by downloading and