So I decided to install Linux. I am about halfway through it. I used parted magic to set up my ext3 partitions and a swap. Then I needed to delete one of the ext 3 and the swap because the Debian install didn’t seem to like the partitions that I had set up for it.
Not wanting to install grub over the MBR files I spent a few days researching NTLDR. I set up the right directories and changed the auto log in to 15 seconds. All that effort was wasted, because upon installing Debian, it trashed the MBR anyway. Now I have a one boot loader too many, going from Grub>NTLDR. Hope to change my grub defaults tonight so that XP is again my default.
Hopefully I can find a way to make my Winmodem work.
At least that is over, I have a partition ready for Linux from scratch (which is what I want to install).
I must say, the Debian system seems pretty slick and polished. Gnome desktop, Open Office, etc. it all looks and feels a lot better than the last time I tried it out. I was fortunate that I only needed the first DVD for an install, although I would have preferred a choice for XFCE and I need to find and install Xroach.
Anyway, steep learning curve, mostly due to doing things the hard way.
If some one understood any of that, you obviously know more than I do.