Problems

[Shammu]

I run Windows ME, Most of the time it works great, however..... sometimes I end up having to format my hard drive. I get missing drivers, or I have corrupt files. I don't go to the updates any more, since when I do, I have this happen more often.
I have used windows me for over 3 years now. And it has been great to use. I am don't want to have to go to XP cause some of the programs I use most often, will not work on XP. According to microsoft.
HELP!

[Gracey]

There is no help.

I run ME too. I know a little something about computers and ME can only take so much.

Options:

(1) If you can get your hands on a copy of Win98, use that.
(2) A lot of the programs that are not currently compatible with WindowsXP are in the process of updating their programming or drivers (our church computer upgraded to XP PRO) What kind of programs are you finding not compatible? The WindowsCatalogue Upgrade thingy told me more than half mine weren't compatible, but nearly all of them had updates for XP.
(3) You can try and see if Windows2000 (which is primarily a business software) will run your programs. We have it on our laptop.

The biggest problem is finding anything other than XP in a box. It's pretty much unlikely you will, unless you buy a used op, or purchase over the net. There's a few places still have old software available, but I'd be a little careful about that. Lots of scams out there.

(4) You could also try some of the freebie ops (like GNU or Open BSD) - I have looked a little at GNU but haven't tried it.

The next time you have to reformat and reinstall, turn off the autoupdater and don't update anything except IE and Outlook Express.

Be sure though, that you have appropriate security protection, because if you don't update you won't be getting the security patches.

I haven't allowed an update since my last reinstall and it's running a lot better than previous times.

I have some good (free) security programs if you need them, let me know.

Gracey

[Shammu]

There is no help.

I run ME too. I know a little something about computers and ME can only take so much.

Options:

(1) If you can get your hands on a copy of Win98, use that.
(2) A lot of the programs that are not currently compatible with WindowsXP are in the process of updating their programming or drivers (our church computer upgraded to XP PRO) What kind of programs are you finding not compatible? The WindowsCatalogue Upgrade thingy told me more than half mine weren't compatible, but nearly all of them had updates for XP.
(3) You can try and see if Windows2000 (which is primarily a business software) will run your programs. We have it on our laptop.

The biggest problem is finding anything other than XP in a box. It's pretty much unlikely you will, unless you buy a used op, or purchase over the net. There's a few places still have old software available, but I'd be a little careful about that. Lots of scams out there.

(4) You could also try some of the freebie ops (like GNU or Open BSD) - I have looked a little at GNU but haven't tried it.

The next time you have to reformat and reinstall, turn off the autoupdater and don't update anything except IE and Outlook Express.

Be sure though, that you have appropriate security protection, because if you don't update you won't be getting the security patches.

I haven't allowed an update since my last reinstall and it's running a lot better than previous times.

I have some good (free) security programs if you need them, let me know.

Gracey

I have Win 95, 98, 98 SE, and my ME here

My auto update is turned off. Thats the first thing I did. I don't use IE I use Foxfire for my browser. Its twice as fast and not as bulky as IE.  GNU or Open BSD I have never heard of. :eek:

[Gracey]

If it were me, I'd probably load the Win98SE - hands down over ME.

OpenBSD and GNU is really more on the order of the linux op and I know one guy who runs the bsd and loves it.

I would guess tho, that you are probably best with the Win stuff.

Mind if I ask why you got the ME instead of sticking with the Win98?

Gracey

[JudgeNot]

Why isn't anyone advocating XP?  I never had ME - I heard it was so full of bugs I nevered bothered going from 98 to ME - but XP is a huge improvement over 98.  XP is sooooo easy.  It is "smart" in that (just a couple of example):
It will automatically detect and install drivers for new devices without you having to stroke a single key.
OS updates are done without interaction (unless you really want to interact).
If you have a home network it makes the setup a snap.

I'm a real XP fan.  In fact at work, we are gradually changing to XP Professional from Windows 2000. (I work for a company of over 10,000 employees.)  Our LAN Administrators around the world are almost unanimously sold on XP.

[Gracey]

Well, JudgeNot, about half my non-microsoft programming is not compatible with xp is why not. I can't afford all new programming. And you are quite right about ME - the buggiest program in creation. The silly thing is, after a while you start to get used to them  

uhh, my ME does autodetect too. I just need to plug in my new hardware and reboot. If you know how to use your software you can make it do a lot of things.

Dreamweaver already has a perfectly good ops in Win98SE and didn't want to have to buy XP and in that case my advice was good: Uninstall ME and reinstall Win98 - they are quite similar (98 is minus a few .dll files etc which can be downloaded from other places); and Dreamweaver doesn't rely on microsofts mail or browser programs, which is where a lot of the security problems lie.

Also, xp is sort of set up with some stuff that has future security concerns (for my part) and so I hesitate to go there til I know more. The OS updates without knowledge - definitely an invasion of privacy, unless you allow it. I most definitely would not.  

Now, if someone asked me "what do I get with my new computer" I'd probably say XP because from what I can tell, there's not a lot of choice left anymore. WinXP is pretty much "user friendly". If I were starting fresh, I might actually do the Debian/Gnu/Linux route.... at least I wouldn't be dependent on microsoft.  

Gracey

[Shammu]

Well, JudgeNot, about half my non-microsoft programming is not compatible with xp is why not.

 If you know how to use your software you can make it do a lot of things.

Which is where a lot of the security problems lie.

Now, if someone asked me "what do I get with my new computer" I'd probably say XP because from what I can tell, there's not a lot of choice left anymore. WinXP is pretty much "user friendly". If I were starting fresh, I might actually do the Debian/Gnu/Linux route.... at least I wouldn't be dependent on microsoft.  

Gracey

As about half of my software, won't work with XP Judgenot.
I can make ME do alot of things I can't under 98 SE.
I have never had a problem with Foxfire browser as far as security problems go.

[JudgeNot]

DW & Gracey,
I feel your pain.  

I can’t get any of my 8-track tapes to work in my DVD player.  

And try as I might, those parts off my old ’61 Ford just won’t work in my ’03 Toyota.  

(Sarcastic, aren’t I.)  

Good thing you don't know where I live - you'd probably drive out of your way just to "slap me hard and call me stupid"!  

[Gracey]

 


aaahhhaaaaa......  

Okay JudgeNot.... I'll send you some of my bugs via email, lol.

Dreamweaver, if you like some of the stuff ME does and don't want to go back to Win98, you can reinstall all over....and over.... and over..... ad nauseum     Just don't let it go do the updates. But, what exactly are things you can't do in 98 that you can do in ME? Sometimes there's tweaks....... after all, ME is really only a glorified 98 (hah!)

Gracey

ps: Judge, what are these "8-track" things? I'm still playing those big black round things.....ya know? It's tough tho...I'm gettin too old to wind the player all the way up    
Parts I don't need to worry about; my horse just needs its hay.....

[Shammu]

DW & Gracey,
I feel your pain.  

I can’t get any of my 8-track tapes to work in my DVD player.  

(Sarcastic, aren’t I.)  

Good thing you don't know where I live - you'd probably drive out of your way just to "slap me hard and call me stupid"!  

Well I think I have a few 8-track players laying around here. 2 for a car as well. I also have a bunch of black discs?
some are 45's and 33 1/3  

[Shammu]

aaahhhaaaaa......  

Okay JudgeNot.... I'll send you some of my bugs via email, lol.

Dreamweaver, if you like some of the stuff ME does and don't want to go back to Win98, you can reinstall all over....and over.... and over..... ad nauseum     Just don't let it go do the updates. But, what exactly are things you can't do in 98 that you can do in ME? Sometimes there's tweaks....... after all, ME is really only a glorified 98 (hah!)

Gracey

ps: Judge, what are these "8-track" things? I'm still playing those big black round things.....ya know? It's tough tho...I'm gettin too old to wind the player all the way up    
Parts I don't need to worry about; my horse just needs its hay.....

I have 3 old record players here. :eek: and a bunchof plastic disc that play on them. :eek;




Now I know I'm old.

[JudgeNot]

Ha-ha-ha-ha!  

Now that we've determined we're all "old" - what do we do next?  'Gum' a rare steak together?

Ha-ha-ha-ha!  

I can flatuate as I walk across a room without even trying!  Can YOU do that?

(If any young c-unite members are reading this thread they are choking on their spegettios!)
 

[Shammu]

If any young c-unite members are reading this thread they are choking on their spegettios!
 

Hee hee hee hee hee
Now thats funny

[Gracey]

I can flatuate as I walk across a room without even trying!  Can YOU do that?

Nope.   THAT is not one of my skills, ROFL. However, my husband probably has you beat, hands down,  

If any young c-unite members are reading this thread they are choking on their spegettios!
 
Hee hee hee hee hee
Now thats funny

Spegettios???      
(Do people actually EAT that stuff???)

[Shammu]

I can flatuate as I walk across a room without even trying!  Can YOU do that?

Nope.   THAT is not one of my skills, ROFL. However, my husband probably has you beat, hands down,  

If any young c-unite members are reading this thread they are choking on their spegettios!
 
Hee hee hee hee hee
Now thats funny

Spegettios???      
(Do people actually EAT that stuff???)

I guess, I remember when they came out. :eek: