Buying Windoze XP

[adolescent]

One thing to be aware of is Windows XP's activation feature.  If you get a non-valid license key you will not be able to use the software.  Even if you get a hacked version that works with the current service pack, it's not likely to work with future updates.

It's not a lot to spend.  But, if you just want to run Windows software you can always use WINE on Linux, BSD, etc.

[adolescent]

I agree, ~6 minutes to boot means the system is broken.  My Pentium 4 550 boots in 55 seconds (from the time I hit the power button, to the time the hour glass leaves and the system is fully usable.).  And ~17 seconds of that is POST and BIOS loading.  (This system isn't modified for fast booting, or even optimized in any way.)