Thanks everyone.  I got my question answered and then some.  I really appreciate it!  And yes the drivers issue is a good point. I have 2 delta 1010s on one machine and a firewire mackie blackbird on another.  the deltas are probably going to be the most problematic.  They are old and on their way out. I guess. 
  it sounds like 8.1 is great if you run itin desktop mode.  I will probably go with win 7 home on one machine and wait til I build a new one for 8.1   thanks again!!