HP forum: Have a HP Pavilion a123n and wondering which OS to use

I usually build my computers but my son gave me the Pavilion. When I got it there was some issues that could only be cured (properly) by reformatting and installing the operating system.
I have been using Windows XP Pro SP3 on my other computers so I used that, I had some problems with the DVD burner so wondered if the HP Firmware needed the Media Edition to work properly.
I went to the HP update site for my computer but when I tried to run some of the updates it said my computer did not meet the requirements so it wouldn't install, this is strange as the drivers was made for this exact computer! Any ideas?
I added replaced the hard drive so I could set up Windows XP Professional SP3 and have been using that lately.
Oh, I also updated the BIOS from V3.05 to 3.15 with no apparent changes.
Here is my question(s): would you go with Windows XP Pro or Windows Media Edition with SP3?
I seem to prefer the XP better but don't know what I might be missing without the Media Edition.
I use my computer for some games and watching DVD's also adding movies and songs for my 30gb iPod.
What do you guys and gals think?
I really don't know what the Media edition has that I might be wanting to use so can someone help me decide so I can put the side cover back on my computer?
THANKS!