After installing Xpize, which by the way really improves the look of XP, I noticed that I don't see the Windows start screen with the scrolling start progress meter. I see a shades of blue windows logo. Also if by chance I have a USB drive inserted at startup the OS usually gives me a chance to allow or skip the check scan of the device. I can no longer see that. That isn't good. How do I get around that.

Open up your C:\Boot.ini file in Notepad and remove the \BOOTLOGO and \NOGUIBOOT switches, then save, then restart. If you cannot save the file uncheck "Read only" in the file's properties. If you cannot find C:\Boot.ini then enable the showing of both hidden and protected system files under Folder Options.