Thanks, guys. It's not really as bad as i made it out to be, it's just that I just got over a period of constant blue-screen problems and safe-mode nonsense. What I really need to do is re-install the OS, it's been a long time, and my HD is mostly unnconnected garbage. I've been contemplating the move to 2000 since I've got to do something anyway.
The aquarium, however, has always run perfectly. No lock-ups or other glitches.