Well, I'm back, sort of.
Re formatted with XP professional and no partition.
The machine is lightning quick now, and I've got most stuff up and running. Problems:
Crappy soft internal modem refused to work, so replaced with a proper external one.
It uses the one and only serial port, so I'm stuck with disconnecting it to use my camera for now. (is it possible to connect two items to one port?)
Don't seem to have any software to run the scanner!
Been at it for hpurs, so I'll attack it again toomorrow (note new spelling as ordained by the president!)
Thanks one and all for the help.