Ditching Windows ME

Ron Eggers

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
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I normally advocate sticking with whatever operating system comes bundled with your PC. Upgrades cause problems.

But I have an HP notebook that came with Windows ME. Despite doing a complete reformat and reinstall from the original disks earlier this year, almost nothing works with ME. The built-in modem, USB printers, card readers, "automatic" Windows updates, many new application installation - all balk at ME.

I don't think this notebook is a good candidate for XP or Windows 2000, so I've concluded that I need to "upgrade" to Windows 98 SE.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm guessing that I won't be able to install the 98 upgrade onto a PC that has a newer version of Windows already installed. I don't have a full version of 98 and I don't think you can buy it any more. (No, I haven't tried eBay.)

I may have to do a clean install of Windows 3.1 :eek: (the last pre-ME operating system that I have a full version of) and then upgrade to 98 SE. Then I'll have to go to the HP site and download a bunch of updated drivers.

Any thoughts? Any of you ever done this?

I guess I could buy a new notebook with XP, but it goes against my grain to abandon a perfectly functional (albeit obsolete) PC just because the operating system is a nightmare.
 
Ron

Under Microsoft’s licensing agreement you can do an “upgrade” “downwards” without having to get/buy a “new” copy of the “upgrade” “downwards” software…….i.e. you can “upgrade” to 98 using your ME licence……..if you can get your hands on a copy of 98 you can install it with having the Microsoft police breathing down your neck.

Sorry I cannot help you with your other issues.

Rgs

Dermot
 
Ron,
I was given the advise NOT to do the 98SE "upgrade" but rather do a new 98SE install. The "upgrade" version apparently has many bugs and issues not found in the new install.

I have the disks for a new install that I nolonger use. My computers use ME and XP. I could run them down to you if you want to go that route.

Let me know,
Denny
 
Ron, a while back I was having problems with ME on several computers. The main culprit for causing problems was a necessary upgrade to the DCOM's, try a search on the MS website for DCOM faults to find the way through it.
 
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