WinXP Home Initial Install Probs

[ALP]

I am a senior (which may be most of the prob) but I
purchased an "OEM" version of WIN XP Home for my Gateway
Computer last July. Purchase was not from Gateway OR
Microsoft. (I Bought a brand new copy, never registered
et.al...)AND for about $99 cheaper than Gateway or
Microsoft offered.
Being on a fixed income, this price was attractive so I
bought and tried to install it myself. I did have the
assurance (I thought) from Gateway that they would assist
me with that installation, but when it came to crunch time
I could never catch up to that person.
So...here's what I'm left with. I have an "OEM"
version of Win XP that is now my main software, and I can
connect to the Internet, and have email (Outlood Express),
but I DON'T have access to any of my old Win 98 SE files,
my computer no longer has a "D" drive, which means I
cannot 're-install' Win 98, nor load my Works 2000 Suite
w/word processor etc...
My biggest problem is that Microsoft won't help me
because my software has an "OEM" in the PID...Original
Equipment Manuf. licensing agreements?? and Gateway won't
help me because I didn't purchase my version of XP thru
them? Is this a dichotomy? Between a rock and a hard
place? Do I just write off my purchase and buy another
copy from a Microsoft licensed dealer...and have them
install it for me...or is there some simple thing I can
fix myself?

Thanks to any and all that take the time to respond.

ALP

 

[Carey Frisch]

OEM versions of Windows XP are not capable of upgrading
over an existing Windows installation. They must be installed
on a freshly formatted drive. Sounds like you reformatted your
drive, thereby destroying all your existing Windows 98 files.
OEM versions are cheaper, but you sacrifice any Microsoft
technical support. Only the "retail versions" of Windows XP
offer Microsoft technical support.