Beautiful..!! This is what I have been looking for. I'll try it and let you know....thanks much.
Okay.......I give up !!! I've done everything suggested...boot disk, gone through all the procedures, when I get to step 14 (Type sys c:), the computer tells me "cannot find systems file in STANDARD location...", and the machine still can not/will not read the CD drive- error message "not ready reading drive E". BUT, when I rebooted with the XP CD only in the machine, everything started loading. Go FIGURE !!

Loading XP now. If this doesn't work this time I'm going to have a NICE new boat anchor. Thanks for all the help, guys. Looks like I'll be staying with XP. Things running smoother and a bit FASTER now. The resource hog went out with the format. I appreciate alll the help....very much. I learned quite a bit, even though I had to go another route. Again, thanks much !! You guys are very patient with us dummies. Great job.

Darn.....now I guess I'll have to go out and spend money for a new anchor.In the meantime shop around for a good deal on a Win2K CD...most of the features of XP but with 1/2 the resources required.
I'd also add another STICK of RAM as well.And don't forget to add some protection to keep the bugs away.