of course! because it wants to run linux

lol

makes no sense ,i have seen it done ,what errors do you get when trying to install it .

if the laptop comes with a hidden partition you might have problem installing anything else but the restore cd.

i load regular winxp on older laptops all the time ,I remove the recovery partition.

Common sense is key.

99% of viruses/spyware are caused by peoples stupidity e.g downloading "updates" (Viruses really) from emails supposedly from Microsoft or clicking official looking popups

stupidity,is a strong word for it ,more like they just don't know any better,gullible ,naive .I know Educators who use a computer like a 2 yr.old!!Actually worse than a 2 yr old .

i accept your approach but small correction if you want to be a secured user you should be a geniune user of your operating system ,so that you can get extra protection from your operating system,you can upgrde your os any time if it is original to get more advanced features than a pirated

i agree.

Pirated systems generally have SP1 so are easialy botnetted

and sp2 is unbotnettable?
guys, this whole updates business is only good for new features, which are usually much better implemented by 3rd part software anyway

I've never recommended updating XP to my customers unless they have no better protection