edit: I'll add this. win2000 is going to cost you a lot less, have most of winXP capabilities (other then the 'pretty graphics'), is still supported by everyone, and as a licensing scheme that'll let you install it without any problem on the number of PC you could dream of)
1) Yes, you'll need to reformat/reinstall. Upgrading from a MS OS to an other as always been known to be unreliable. And you're going to want to go NTFS anyway.
2) Can't help you there, got my copy for free from MSDNAA.
3) win98 was made in a time when 512+ MB of RAM barely existed (for user-end desktop PC anyway). It simply can't manage and properly use the extra amount of RAM. It'll help with every drivers. You will see improved performance.
4) I'll recommand google. As far as I know, winXP pro is not limited to a single PC and doesn't require to be 'activated' in any way what-so-ever (I never had to do it anyway). You'll be able to run Linux with your ATi card, just don't expect to be doing any gaming with 'recent' game (ie: anything made this millenium).
And valium? Come on, you can do better then that.
This comment was edited on Jul 28, 03:37.