We check in on Microsoft's latest OS

Is Windows XP meeting your expectations or causing more exasperation than you bargained for?

Plus: Top 20 Windows XP tips

Microsoft's latest operating system just turned six months old, and most would say that it's neither a failure nor a raging success. While XP promised the latest and greatest multimedia, security, and ease-of-use features available, many users have not yet upgraded, fearing the hefty system requirements and potential compatibility disasters inherent in a major OS upgrade.

At the end of the day, some 17 million of us chose the XP route. Did we really get what we paid (quite a lot) for? Is XP really more stable and more secure? Does it support all of our hardware and software? Does it really have cool, new features we can't live without? In honor of its half anniversary, we checked in on XP to see what major issues linger, if any, and what features you might be missing.

The system requirements swamp
First, Microsoft says 64MB, then it turns around and says 128MB. What gives?

Oh, driver, my driver
You still can't find the right drivers? Here's the scoop.

Service pack, anyone?
If you've been holding off for some major updates, hope is on the horizon.

The help you need
Now, you don't have to run up your phone bill getting help from your techie uncle.

Programs to watch out for
No OS escapes the software bugaboo. Find out how XP's holding up.

The bugs crawl in
What good is your OS if any old Tom, Dick, or Hacker can march in anytime?