WinMEtips

Updated 09/11/2000

Introduction

According to Microsoft, Windows ME will be the last OS based on the Windows 95 kernel. All future OS's will be based on the Windows NT kernel ( although Win98 was supposed to be the end of the line in the Windows family ). The supposed successor to Win ME? Whistler ( don't get me started ).
This OS has a smoother interface, boots quicker and does seem to be more user-friendly. The system tools are easy to understand and I have found that the 'Hibernate' feature is quite useful ( I leave my PC on a lot! ).
Sooo...I'll jump right in and give you as much information as I have at this time. If you have any experiences or events you would like to share, please drop me an e-mail with your tip. Reader submitted tips are always credited to their author.
What I like most about Win ME: It crashes, like...900% less than Win 98.

The Death Of DOS

Gone...all gone! Although the DOS prompt is still in the Start menu in Win ME, it's not the real deal. There is no option to reboot into REAL MODE DOS, and this is most probably the reason for the added stability of this new OS.
Upgrading was quite painless, although I recommend a Clean Install.

Quick Tips For An Error-Free Setup
Disable all anti-virus programs running on your PC. If these utilities are left running during Setup, your computer may stop responding.
Note: Some PC's have anti-virus capabilities built right in to the system. If this option is left 'enabled' in the BIOS / CMOS settings, you may receive a warning about 'virus-like activity' or 'Master Boot Record' changes. You must allow these changes to take place in order for Setup to complete, therefore I find it easier to simply disable this option from the onset ( see your anti-virus software information ).
Run Scandisk to check for and fix any hard drive errors you may have prior to attempting Setup. Make sure that you have closed all running programs, screen savers, Advanced Power Management settings and any other program that could cause Setup to stop responding.
I found that I could avoid video errors by changing my video display driver to VGA setting. Setup can also be run from DOS but we'll not get into that here.
Make a new Startup Disk: Because of the real mode and auto-protect mode kernel's that support FAT32, Win ME Startup Disks are not compatible with earlier versions of Windows. So when you set up Win ME for the first time, make sure that you take the time to create a new Startup Disk.
Minimum System Requirements

Operating System: You can upgrade from Win 95, 98 & 98SE but not from Win 3.1, Win NT or Win 2000 ( a clean install is required ).
P150MHZ or higher ( P166MHZ is recommended as a minimum for running the Windows Media Player 7 with the OS ). MS recommends a PII 300MHz ( or better ) if you plan to run advanced multimedia features.
Memory: The amount of RAM ( Random Access Memory ) necessary to run Win ME is 32MB for the install and 64MB or better for multimedia or video features to run properly.
Hard Disk Drive: To install Win ME you will need a minimum of 320MB of free hard drive space. Again, multimedia and other applications would require more. Actually, in my opinion, 2GB is good.
CD-Rom: Recommended access rate of 100 milliseconds or lower and a transfer rate of at least 24X.
Sound Device: If you are not a gamer or into graphics and multimedia, then you could get away with a standard sound card. Otherwise you may want to consider a 3D sound card and nice speakers...the experience is worth it!
Modems: The minimum suggested modem for use with this OS should have a connection speed of at least 28.8 Kbs...of course, 56K is better.

Clean Install or Upgrade?

Will you need the expensive 'Full Version' for a Clean Install? Maybe not...so long as you have a copy of your previous version on CD, you can get away with the cheaper 'Upgrade' version( and use it to Upgrade as well ). Here's how...
After you reformat the hard drive ( see Win98 Tip & Tricks for 'OS Repair' ), just insert the Win ME Upgrade CD and run Setup as you would normally. As Setup starts the installation, it will find no previous version of Windows on the drive and will prompt you to verify that you indeed own a copy of Windows. Now, go ahead and remove the Win ME CD and pop in your previous Windows CD, click Browse to access your CD-Rom drive. Now when Setup verifies your ownership of the previous version, it will prompt you to re-insert the Win ME CD and continue to install the OS.

Easy Installation?

Pretty much. You'll find that installing Win ME isn't much different from a Win 98 install ( both take about 30-60 minutes depending on the PC ). Once you launch it, you will be guided through the entire setup step-by-step. When it prompts you to accept the license agreement, go ahead and enter the CD key and you're on your way. Remember to choose your options, create a Start up Disk and watch it go!
Note: If you are performing an upgrade, you will be prompted to the option of saving your existing system files. If you choose to do so, you may uninstall Win ME later if it's not to your liking. Thus, the uninstall would return you to your previous version of Windows.
If you choose not to save...there is no turning back without another reformat and install.
My advice is to save and later on if you want to keep ME, simple remove the Uninstall Information at another time if you need the added disk space.

Install In 1/2 The Time!

This is more-or-less for people who are very comfortable with their PC's. It's actually pretty easy, it only sounds scary. Please read on...
By copying the entire Win ME folder from the CD to your hard drive and running Setup from there is much faster as your hard drive operates much faster transferring data than your CD-Rom drive does. Having the Win ME folder on your hard drive will also reduce the amount of time it takes to add / remove components as you get accustomed to the new OS.
Go ahead and create a new folder in C:\ and name it 'W9xFlat' and simply copy all the files from the CD into it. When all the files are in the folder, remove the CD and find the setup icon ( little blue PC ) and click on it. Setup should begin and proceed as if you were installing from the CD-Rom drive...only quicker!

Next time around, I'll post some Tips similar to the Win 98 Tips & Tricks to help get Win ME fine tuned to your machine. I hope this page has helped...Thanks!

Official Disclaimer:spider-boy.com is not responsible for user-induced damage to your PC. These Tips & Tricks are provided in good faith and are meant to ease your use of Win98.Some links on this site connect to third-party web-sites and although we at spider-boy.com try our best to verify the integrity of each link,we are also not responsible for the content found there.
Thank you and come again...spider!