I got one of they usb sticks for wireless internet and installed it etc!

But now the windows xp software is contradicting it and neither of them will stay on

anyone know how to fix this?

What do you mean "contradicting it"?

To use the third party software you installed, you will need to disable the windows wireless configuration tool.

Here's how

Then insert the USB stick and open the 3rd party software and it should pick up your wireless connection. If you have a secured network (which you should have) you will have to put in your network key.

Got it, thanks