The bad part about XP is it's not totally backwards compatible. There's tons and tons of software that runs on Win98 but fails on XP. Moron$oft screwed up again.

My friend told me a horror story about NAV 2k2: He had been using it for months until he found out there were new open ports on the computer. He tried everything with NIS to lock 'em down. No dice. Then he grilled the HD with reformat: his usual routine when things don't work the way he wants.

The first thing I do after installing Linux is close all ports. It's a good learning experience for me. I use 98SE because I know how to close all ports. 2K/XP has a # of open ports run by servers and services the average user never uses.

BTW, you don't need to reinstall ME, just deny IE's access to the Internet via firewall.

I did block access for IE, Outlook Express, Outlook, Office Suite, Windows Updates, Windows Explorer, etc. I used Zone Alarm for that. I did some of the security checks that are available on different websites and it passed all the tests. The reason I wanted to un-install is simply that I'm stubborn and pig-headed and didn't like the fact that I was being dictated to that way. (Now is about the time most men start feeling sorry for my husband! ) It was like the all out war I had with MS after I bought an Intellimouse and the only way to register it via the internet was by installing MSN. They didn't even have the card available to mail in. I refused, sent MS some nasty e-mails to which they responded that it was their policy and that I didn't have to pay for MSN to simply register my products. I finally did install it after using the Tax program for MS Money and the only way to send the info to the IRS was by insalling MSN. I was extremely annoyed. I went to uninstall it afterwards, which btw there was no option for and I had to use Norton Cleansweep which still didn't completely remove it from the registry. I was determined to remove it all and in the process messed up my registry so badly that I couldn't fix it and had to do a complete re-install. That was the beginning of my hate affair with MS. Yes I know I could have just left it alone but I've always been one to strip every unncessary application from my computers. I also didn't back up my registry first (I know, not a smart move) and this was when I was running Windows 95. It I'd had 98 I could have done a restore via DOS.

How do you close the ports on Linux? I have a Bastille firewall installed and I also did some security checks for leaks and it passed with flying colors. But if there are other things I need to do for security I would certainly like to know how.

Thanks shassouneh for the advice

I already have all of the other windows versions, but I was just saying I will not buy XP.

I use win2k for work and winME for games.

My wife is using win98, because I don't want to buy another copy of win2k or winME.