I hadn't replied because I bought the Hal Reader just before I moved from ME to XP, but as no one else made comment here, I will.
I do remember some problem with it.
If I remember correctly(?) when I configured in Haptek SAPI config for KATE, after I closed Hal I would have to configure again everytime I started Hal. It was a pain in the ....
Sorry I can't give more details, I only had it short time before getting XP.
There's no problems with XP.
I know this don't help much, perhaps someone else can shed light ??