[js1138]

I strongly recommend XP if you want Windows. An upgrade version of XP is under $100 dollars, and you can get OEM versions of XP Home on EBay for under $70, completely legal and legit.

I'd be careful buying XP from odd sources. I recently bought a copy of XP Pro for $99. It's a real Windows CD, with the hologram and all, but it is intended for use in a corporate licensed environment. You cannot use Windows Update with it. The "Advantage" applet says it's counterfeit.

[DesScorp]

"I'd be careful buying XP from odd sources. I recently bought a copy of XP Pro for $99. It's a real Windows CD, with the hologram and all, but it is intended for use in a corporate licensed environment. You cannot use Windows Update with it. The "Advantage" applet says it's counterfeit."

There are no such restrictions or classifications with XP Home. As long as you're buying from a rated seller with a good history, you're ok on Ebay. They even toss in some small piece of hardware on the OEM discs to comply with the license.