I bought Windows XP(Home Edition) and tried to download it on to my computer which currently ran Windows98. For some reason I couldn't make head nor tail of it and immediately removed it. I took my computer to the computer store and they completely buggered it up. I bought a new computer with Windows XP and I have since had no problems. In fact I found it far easier to operate than Windows98. But I think that older computers are not equipped to take Windows XP. You should ensure that your printer and scanner are compatable with the new Windows, and you have to update the drivers.