need help from someone knows about computer tech stuff

Goldom · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 1:02 am Post subject:

Now i am in 16 color graphics trying futilly to get everything on CD-rs before it dies WAaaaa why meee

Albino Gibbon · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 1:12 am Post subject:

Don't worry Goldom a good reformat and a fresh install is needed every once in a while. I do it about every 4 months, if it needs it or not. The OS increases in size slowly. By the way, I am not sure about ME, but to shut things down on boot, in 98, you go to startprogramsaccesoriessystem toolssystem information. Then you click the tools tab and click sytem configuration utility and click the startup tab. You can take things out there. Just be careful.

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Goldom · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 1:28 am Post subject:

I dont know where windows cd iS!
or.. network cd...
or dsl cd...

or.. system cd..
or.. etc etc

Goldom · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 1:48 am Post subject:

so how do you format it? You cant do it in windows cause its open, but ME has no Dos...

hoaxie · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 2:15 am Post subject:

Do you have a command line icon? If so, and you should, you can try it through there.

Also, when you boot your system and it does a memory check... how much RAM does it say you have. Your memory stick could be bad, not seated properly, or if you have more than one stick - you may have them in the wrong order.

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LONG LIVE THE 'VILLE!

Snaggletooth · Guest

Also, what type of RAM do you have? If you have Rambus and a stick is not working right, you'll have virtually no memory whatsoever.

FingerDemon · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 9:55 am Post subject:

Goldom,

I have Windows ME and like I told you in PM, there is a System Restore option that can take you back to a previous configuration. Its kind of like going back in time though for your PC. Any files you downloaded or acquired since the time the Restore point was set, will be lost. However, it beats wiping the hard drive completely. It is really hard to tell what it happening with your machine from your description.

As many have mentioned, grinding noises often accompany hard drives raking their little laser reader arms across the surface of your disk. This may not last long, because it almost always starts to damage the disk permanently until it can't be used. That's why a backup of anything important is a good idea...NOW! If the grinding is a fan making noise or something like that, you might be better off than a full hard drive replacement.

I have a Dell running WinME and I can say that there is a Task Manager (accessible by right clicking an empty area at the bottom or the screen) but it does not have the very cool "Processes" tab that XP and NT have. You do have a DOS prompt available through Accessories, but there are usually simpler options for starting in DOS mode, by hitting a certain key when you reboot.

Win ME's System Restore would be my first guess as to what you should try. That way if the grinding, memory usage, lost video driver and everything all relates to some registry change or install you made, it can be fixed. If you can, I would choose a Restore Point to a time when everything seemed to work fine. Also, that list of programs that run when you start up might be somewhat necessary. I have a much slower processor than you and less memory, but I let all that stuff run. If you go back to a previous point and things work, you might consider leaving them alone until you know what each one does and whether you can safely get rid of it or shut it down.

Good luck with it!

<TVB>FingerDemon-VS

PS. I should have said, that if you try the System Restore and it doesn't work. You can still do the hard drive wipe. You can also run a scandisk with the check disk surface option on as a diagnostic on the disk. (Or better yet Norton Disk Doctor) But it might be wise to try the Restore first. If the harddrive is failing, the surface check could be its last act, or it could just fix some bad sectors. Any way you look at it, the wiping of the hard drive is always an option.
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[ This Message was edited by: FingerDemon on 2002-04-03 10:00 ]

PyROZen · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 10:41 am Post subject:

I had this same problem, so here's what I did. Get a program called StartEd, it allows you to turn off the things that startup with windows. Turn off everything except explorer and anything else you want on. My systems resources are always around 80% free. I have an AMD 1.4ghz with only 256 RAM.

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"Conc Jumping, my old nemesis..."

[njk]Nopeace4u-DBD · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 10:57 am Post subject:

Do you have norton antivirus 2002 installed?? I if you do I had a similar problem in Norton would jack my cpu useage too 100% and i could not do anything, I uninstalled Norton & everything works fine now, hope this helps

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Snaggletooth · Guest

Finger, that will work assuming he created a restore file, if not, it will ask him to create one for future use...

hoaxie · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 11:31 am Post subject:

In XP it will automatically set points for you to restore to based on new software installation, etc. Is ME not the same?

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LONG LIVE THE 'VILLE!

Lil-Yugi · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 11:34 am Post subject:

Well I had PC trouble today, but ROXIO GOBACK SAVED MY LIFE. Roxio Goback Deluxe 3.0 is better than the sytem restore that ME and XP has. When you goback in time you get to rescue the files that was in the future. See thats why it's better than the system restore in ME and XP.

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My Trusty EMP Gernade Always Gets The Job Done.

[ This Message was edited by: Sneaky_Lil_Mikey on 2002-04-03 11:36 ]

FingerDemon · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 12:33 pm Post subject:

True enough, Mikey. But I for one am just glad I have anything. It beats the old Win95 days of install and pray. But my ME does automatic Restore points at certain times. I don't know what triggers them. I also create them myself whenever I install anything that I think will touch the registry.

FD

(+)ASSASSIN(+) · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 1:50 pm Post subject:

well your first problem is the fact that your using ME, IMO its the worst OS ever made. secondly if your getting a loud grinding or whining noise thats costantly there, then you may have a serious hardware issue. (hopefully not your HD)I would run a full scandisk to check the disk area and also defragment your drive. hopefully one of these 2 works for you.

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Killing is my bidness ladies and BIDNESS IS GOOD!!!!

Snaggletooth · Guest

Sigh, why must everyone bag on ME, it's not so terrible. Of course I work for networking and know how to make it not so crappy, but still...