Windows XP downgrade

yes, you'll need to fdisk and remove partitions for ntfs under xp and then reboot, fdisk with fat32 for win98, format and load the operating system. We've got the open license operating system agreement and most our systems are 98, we've experimented with xp with smoe of our old apps and have had to go back.

Without formatting?

Only if the computer is using FAT32 and the WinXP "full install" did not use the same directory as the Win98 directory.

Otherwise, you have to format and essentially reinstall your Win98 OS and all the applications.

I've been asked to do this twice now to brand new systems that come prepackaged with Xp Home and it is great when done!!
Go for the FDISK options described in the last post for FAT32 conversion and you'er off to the races.
Why did XP have to come in a homogomized HOME edition anyhow?

BACKUP your xp files, BACKUP your files and do a full format and change back to fat 32. I use either Maxblaster or Western Digitals LIFEGUARD to do this. Then use the 98 boot to reinstall. The biggest problem is to get a full format and back to fat 32. I have had one HD die from this change back out of about 70. I only use WD HD's. I do hope this helps as Many of my customers have had to downgrade due to XP's incompattability with legacy software.