Win98SE is my preference too - more features and more stable than 95 was, and well-tested unlike the various 2000/ME releases.
I'm one of those people who considers Uncle Bill's offerings to be "beta" unitl they've been around a couple of years and everyone else has got most of the bugzz out
I really think you should consider "downgrading" unless there's something in ME that is vital to you.
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What goes around . . .
. . often lands better!