i might end up installing vista business x86. i have a valid copy of several windows OS's because of school.

there's an issue with the sata drive and installing from an xp pro disc vs the gateway restore dvd. ubuntu and vista both work fine, tho. /sigh

edit: nevermind, got the right files from a part of the gateway site that hadn't come up with the laptops serial number (go figure). xp pro sp2 install is underway.

edit2: just got windows up and running..going to start winupdate and make sure everything is good there. installed avast antivirus, which is a highly recommended free antivirus software.