Will XP work?

I have a L600r Dell Dimension with 384mem and 20gig HD,I'm running 98se but would like to try XP Pro....This computer is only used for surfing the web...I know i have more than what Microsoft suggests for (minumum sys requirements) but dont want this thing to run super slow....
.....one more question...if i install XP...can i go right over my current operating sys or do i have to format the hardrive first......thx in advance..

 

i'm almost certain that you can just upgrade over it...xp tries to make backups of all your files, but none of them are guaranteed...you risk file loss...i'd suggest making backups yourself...you could probably fit everything you need onto a few 700mb cds...as for the minimum specs, go to microsofts site and check it out

 

Yes xp has built in partition manager and a very easy step by step install on the cd--it will ask the standard "save personal settings" click yes and xp will do the rest

As far as the specs the pc is fine but could use a stick of memory to bump up the performance of xp ( all that nifty stuff in xp takes sys resources) heres a link to some "uneeded services in xp- "screwed up link wait one...

Thathelpyaout?

 

Sorry edit time ran out but heres your link...http://www.tunexp.com/tips/security_and_maintenance/disabling_unnecessary_services/

 

Petaluma...thx for info...what do you think of XPlite...
http://www.litepc.com/xplite.html