Home PC probs. Win ME. Won't boot past the logon screen :(
Turbo Mini Forums

Don't know what happened - well, i've got an idea :(

After it happened, I realised I'd switched my firewall off a few days ago to download the update on my virus protection - unfortunately - idiot here forgot to switch it back on

Anyways - somethign is clearly amiss. If i do ctrl-alt-del there is nothing at all running in the applications window - it's completely empty!

So, How do i fix this? Is it a case of inserting the windows CD and trying to get it to boot off this? I'm going to get it upgraded to win ME soon - but want to switch all my files over to CD first, so just need to log back once to get the files off.
Any ideas?

Oh - anyone got a Windows ME disc? Mine seems to have gone walkies

windows ME is really shite. you'd do better to use this opportunity to 'upgrade' to XP (or linux!)

got xp pro if any good ...let me know..go into bios and set for boot from cd ... or safe mode and insert cd .. porn`s a bugger to get rid of.. ask jim he seems to manage to help his international dialers at bay.

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

Porn?

Thanks Mark, but that's what DVD's were invented for Besides - Ell spends mmore time on the PC than i do... Maybe i should check the history under her username!!!

So, will all my documents sat in various random folders, along with all my other stuff still be sat there if i install XP over the top of ME?

yep

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

I wouldnt put XP on top of ME unless you have to you will most likly have serious problems and I think you will lose your files.
Try to get ME fixed first (for backup reasons)then run a clean install.
I have a ME disk at work somewhere.

Edited by AllanMcD on 10th Oct, 2005.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Back everything up, then install a fresh version of XP. Much better.

dave if you need anything, let me know

Team Racing

Dave you need to make the computer boot from the CD in the BIOS. Press DEL when starting up and it will go into the BIOS. Put you CD in and restart. It should automatically boot from CD giving you options on what you want to do. You dont have to manually find files it should do all that for you. When you have finished make sure you put the BIOS back to boot from HDD.

ps ... dave hit the delete constantly as the pc starts up.

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

also if you keep pressing f8 or delete then go for boot up in safe mode then try and do a system restore back tobefore you had the problem.

oh shit just relised you have me and not xp so may be you cant.

thats whats great about xp.

hope you fix it, didnt relise ell went over to spectic land with you.

always looking for them bigger bunches of bannanas

Remember, Windows Me uses the FAT32 file system (which is pants), and Windows XP uses NTFS file system (much better).

Unfortunately, if you install over the top of your WinMe install, you will have to install XP onto a FAT32 file system, which is far from ideal!

By far the easiest option with any Windows 9x problem (95/98/98se/Me) is to boot off your Windows CD, and install over the top of the exisitng install, this will leave all your files in tact (providing you don't choose to reformat during the installation).

Once you've got access to Windows again, back up all of your data and reformat the drive using a Windows XP install CD, and Choose NTFS quick format.

I expect I could dig a copy of WinMe out from somewhere if you can't find yours.

Con

I run Windows 2000.

All the benefits of XP, without the 'pretty' interface and hassles with registration!

Been running for about three years with free anti spyware, antivirus and firewall.

No problems so far.

Andy

I've got XP because thats what the computer came with. Its got a damn virus or something and goes haywire every now and again.
Hopefully Neil8p is going to sort it out for me.

If not I will take my BFH to it. I would offer to post it to you Dave so you can use it too but I expect postage on an 8lb lump hammer to the USA might be a bit much, and also I expect you have a suitable alternative in the garage.

lol @ tom,
Dave do you still have the cd's of xp and office I gave you?

Team Racing

I do Jim! Found them last night...

Just been given a CD off a guy at work called windows ME Upgrade. I've no idea if this is just an upgrade disc - or an upgraded version. I've no idea what ME version i was using either - basically, I'll just have to try it and see.
I've decided on the full level re-format as there are a few funny things happening and bad sectors on the HD (maybe from when it was shipped from UK to USA - they weren't there when i checked it before boxing it up).

dave bin windows ME, it's crap!!! put xp on mate

Team Racing

Definatly go with XP. ME is junk

I kind of agree, write off anything you had saved on there and learn a lesson. Install XP, use firefox instead, limits your chances of catching anything nasty.

Dave, do you have another HDD? If so install XP on the other and then just pull off what you need to keep from the other HDD like emails and stuff.

Another way.

If you have a spare machine, set the drive up as a slave and install it in the second pc.

Copy the files you require off of the drive, then convert it back to a master drive and put it back in your original PC.

Install the operating system as new.

Then transfer your old files across using either a burnt DVD/CD or ethernet etc.