there are some easy things to tweak in xp pro.
for example, don't like the shut-down delay?

you can change it by running regedit from the start/run, then going into the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop subfolder where you can change the following options:

HungAppTimeout=4000 (Delay before a hung application is allowed to terminate, each 1000 = 1 sec)
WaitToKillAppTimeout=4000 (Delay before windows finally starts to shutdown, each 1000 = 1 sec)
MenuShowDelay=20 (Delay before a menu pops open, each 1000 = 1 sec)
AutoEndTasks=1 (Automatically closes running applications when Windows shuts down)

or you could just conclude the way it's defaulted is the 'only' way. maybe people should be entitled to get it exactly how they want, but unlikely.
as mid says, it's how comfortable you are with some of the big bro features in xp pro versus the stability of your applications. so stick to what tickles the fancy.

Originally posted by YellowHair:
XP has good security


Nope it has the worst security in windows history.
Thats my opinion anyway (blaster exploits, various windows messenger expliots, eveything things to be exploited on winxp)

Originally posted by Methril:
Nope it has the worst security in windows history.

Which is to say, Windows is the regnant operating system and is a natural target for attacks; nevertheless, Microsoft has been vigilant in the provision of updates.

i've picked up 50 megs worth of security fixes by regular updates. makes me wonder what's in those, exactly.
hey, you guys have just reminded me, i better check it out again.

Roe for your system to handle an older OS you have to change settings within your BIOS. Old versions of Windows don't understand ACPI nor a few other advancments in data transfering, RAM charges, and video card setup. I have played the guessing game on BIOS vs. OS for the last year and that is what I noticed always. I have tweaked and tinkered with 5 computers. All of them varied in components and OS's. Mind you I was changing OS's on them.