Jose:
In regards to this that you wrote:
"As for the USB connection, I have searched for a suitable adapter (for my Laptop, BTW) and could find only one, expensive thing (I think it was around 100 US$) and that required WinXP and would not accept any other OS. As I do not (and most probably will never do) use WinXP, I decided not to use my laptop for this application."

Products seem to be leaning towards USB these days. I have tried to find a Gameport connector that used to run about 12$US with a combo In-out MIDI 6' cable like I have here but to no avail. Mine has a pass through for the joystick. (I use the MS flight simulator some.) I've had this one for about 8 years.

Voyetra or Turtle Beach sells this one:
http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/Cables.asp

Whic states nothing about the OS:

USB MIDI Cable
Connects your MIDI keyboard to a USB port on your PC or Mac.

Loks like it should work on most modern comps. I suppose that one could send them an Email about it.

Which OS do you have anyway? I find XP vastly superior to my old Win 98 although Win 3.11 was just as fast as booting up as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you Bilbo. That site offers a suitable USB <-->MIDI adapter for 40 US$ (not cheap, but still affordable:

"VTB offers a USB MIDI Adapter Cable for $49.95 plus S&H that also includes
MIDI Recording Software to get you started: "USB Music Studio Kit"

If you already have your own MIDI Sequencing software, you may purchase
the (stand-alone) USB Cable from our Web Site > Accessories page for only
$39.95 plus S&H.

The complete package (cable + recording SW) is possible just what Jiting needs for his specific application, in case he does not have a Games/Joystick port in his/her Soundcard.

I use Win2000 and I prefer it over WinXP, mainly because it does not bother me each time I change the HW configuration of my PC (something I do rather often, such as changing a DVD drive, adding a sound card, etc). WinXP does not like any change (something probably inherited from its conservative parents at MS) and so normally requires new authorization from MS.
As I own a legal copy of the OS, I do want to feel free to change my own computer in any way I need or like, without having to request permission to Mr. Gates' company.
Win2K is also fairly stable and flexible enough for my needs.

Of course WinXP is a big jump from the venerable Win98, but also is Win 2K. This last is based on the WinNT core, the more professional OS version and oriented to networking.
But you know, each one has its preferences and dislikes, what is good for me or for you and for others is equally valid.

Interesting Jose,
I think that people have had issues not so much with XP but with the updates that keep flowing from MS. I think many of their updates are to prevent software theft of their OS.

I did think that XP was based on the NT core or at least you can format the HDDs to run the NT file system. No issues with adding peripherals here so far.
Since I've ahad this machine that I built, I've added Network card, moved things around in PCI slots replaced a Kbd, added a CD-RW and dropped an old CD, I (of course) added memory and I have switched between several secondary HDDs and a primary NDD with Win 98 OS still intact. Also have a few USB devices in use here. One is the MS optical mouse. It works but the older MS mouse was better.

I see you have a different experience than me:

I bought the PC I presently use second hand and it had WinXP installed. I decided to give iit a try and see why people is so happy with it.

But I wanted 2 DVD units instead of one so I replaced one drive and on start up Windows would not let me continue, requesting for a new authorization.

So I reformatted the HD, installed my old faithful 2k and has operated flawlessly since then.

But if your XP version has allowed you so many changes without complaining, you are lucky and I would stay with it, was I in your place. My case was different (for some reason) and I did not have the patience to investigate further.

I have checked a little more about those USB midi adapters and they have drivers also for Win2K. I will probably buy one in January, as I am eager to test my midi pieces in the Casio ToneBand Keyboard I have, but due to space reasons I cannot do it from my table PC and must do it with the laptop.

Thanks for the opportunity!