Should read; Thanks for the advice re: "XandrOS"
Should read: On the other distros I've tried, it halts at start up. "disabling irq 11" is what it says at that point.

I will say that XP is the most stable version yet...but it still lacks compared to the stability of Linux. Try SUSE 9.2, Xandros 3.0, or Linspire 4.5 and then talk to me a bout "much easier to navigate and manage." One click updates and (especially with the latter two) one click installs. I use a dual boot system with SUSE 9.2 and Windows XP. I boot into windows about once a month to play a game or two, or when I need to use print shop deluxe. All of my work is on my VERY reliable Linux partition. Never, ever, EVER have I had a problem with viruses or spy ware. Can't say the same for my poor old windows partition.

My two oldest boys have XP home installed, and it is a never ending battle of the following: 1) Software that installs on all desktops (AOL IM, etc...)
2) Software and games that will only run in Administrator mode. The only benefit my kids see from XP is the ability to log off/log on and have there own desktops/dirs. They still use open office and firefox in even in XP.

that I don't want to switch to linux or am a Microsoft zelot. XP is much better than any other version of Windows, hands down. Yes, there are a lot of updates but MS pushes them right to you, with a broadband connection these updates are a breeze, just like APT or YUM. If your still on Dialup that's your problem not your OS. I would never have the patients to do any Apt or Yum update with a dialup connection same goes for Windows. I can count on one finger the number of Virus infections that I have had, and that was a result of an errant floppy (Old Technology will bite you). I still don't get spyware, whats the big deal. I watch what I am downloading and run ad-aware (do it it's free) once a week and all that I ever have to clean up are a handfull of cookiees. I use FireFox, cause it is great!!!! That helps with the spyware and pop-up ect ect ect. My HARDWARE firewall (Linksys and software does not cut it) and keeping AV Software up to date helps the most. Basic computer security practices will keep you up and running far better than windows XP or Linux. The user has more to do with stability than the OS IMHO. I am learing linux and it is a monumental, but fun, task compaired with win 95 / 98. Win 95 / 98 were terrible but in my linux learning process I have reformated and reinstalled linux as many times as I had Win 95/98. I will say that all of these instances were a result of operator error. Now I have reinstalled WinXP 3 times since it came out. Each time I just happened to be upgrading the Motherboard in my machine. XP has been great. I am sure linux is too. As far as money goes I paid for the Pro Upgrade when it came out, that's the last time I gave MS any money save for the Mouse and Keyboard I bought that has their name on it. All my hardware worked, I try to keep relatively current hardware, so that helps and don't tell me you can't afford an ATI 9200 or an NVidia MX4000. I have joysticks that are 8 years old that still work under win XP same as they ever did. I just don't see where some of the Anti XP arguements come from. Now when I get a handle on running linux like I have on XP I am sure it will be every bit as good. The main problem I have learning linux is getting help. I read and read and read, but most answers are greek to me "you need to adjust config.conf in X11/etc and turn on the combustion joints in the half-shank" I swear Chris Farley posts this stuff from the grave. Much of the Linux help out there is not very straight forward, I guess I have just not found a good source yet. Once I get my Linux chops up to par with My XP chops I am sure I will be able to use XP as a gaming console. Ohh yeah can anyone tell me what PIM I can Sync my toshiba 335 running Pocket PC 2000 with under linux. (oops I lied I guess I paid for that copy of PPC 2K didn't eye) Anyway, Linux is cool XP runs great and computing just keeps getting better and better. Opensource apps for XP just keep comming and comming too!! I am a pig Mud!!!

XP may be more stable than previous Windows versions, but there's still the issue of viruses and spyware. Keeping everything up to date and constantly scanning takes a lot of time and effort; I'd prefer to spend my time doing something more productive. Also, Linux is very easy to navigate once you get used to it. Whenever I use a Windows machine, I'm always frustrated that things don't navigate as simply as they do in Linux. It's just a matter of getting used to something different, not something much harder.

ever heard of the blue screen of death, if as a windows user you have not got that horrible message at least once it will happen soon. linux is not that hard, just surf the net and find out about it, ive used windows for years and ever since 98SE its gone down hill, there were problems in 98 but it was possible to live through them, now Windows has become what AOL i to a web browser, bloated and useless