You have not optimised your TCP parameters. XP comes with the TCP parameters set for best performance in broadband connections, but when 98se first came out broadband was not as common as it is now, so the TCP parameters are more conservative and better for dial-up use.I can saturate my 10Mbps cable (real speed ~1.1MB/s) easily in 98se with a download manager like FlashGet. The best setup IMO is a dualboot - I have 98se *and* XP Pro on separate HDDs, and can switch between them whenever needed. I still mainly use 98se though, the XP being reserved for running programs that absolutely demand it.