Windows ME Fixes
Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 10:19 pm
Windows Me Annoyances Discussion Forum
Posted by Jack Gulley
(5917 messages posted)
With that kind of response, I should have put my updated two cents worth
version here. My Windows ME is now very stable with all these changes. What the hay.
I'll post it again anyway.
 Actually, Windows
ME is very stable (well can be) if you remove
a few default software modules from memory, clean up your disk drive, remove any/all
Spyware_AD-ware,
virus, worms and trojans, update all device drivers, install all Windows Updates
and make sure your hardware is OK.
Memory hardware problems:
For example: memory failures can cause program hanging symptoms. Or if you are overclocking
and there is a random failure problem. This can be happening without you realizing
it on most system boards running Windows. So you must test memory outside of Windows.
Having memory problems can also cause corrupted program files on the disk during
a Defrag. A common memory problem is a BIOS setting of "CLK SDRAM Cycle Length" of
CL=2 when you may have a CL=3 rated SDRAM module added to the machine. So use your
CMOS Setup function to set memory values to default or standard settings, and the
CL setting to 3 (unless you know for a fact your memory is rated CL=2). Then run
a standalone memory test from a DOS boot diskette. Get both DocMemory_v2.0 and MemTest86_v3.0, and make their boot
diskettes. You should be able to run both for at least 12 hours without errors
to test your hardware, before you suspect Windows ME is the cause of problems.
 If a Windows ME
system has more than 512MB of RAM, then to work around a bug in the
vcache management, per Q253912, you must add the following
to the [vcache] section of C:\Windows\SYSTEM.INI file:
[vcache]
MaxFileCache=524288
If more than 1024MB (1GB) RAM, then a second entry in SYSTEM.INI may
be required in the [386Enh] section per Q304943 to limit Windows ME to using
just 1GB of physical RAM:
[386Enh]
MaxPhysPage=40000
For more information see
Memory Management_vcache.
Slowdown and hang problems:
 Standard
approach to this type of problem is to clean up the disk drive, run a full up to
date virus scan, check for and remove Spyware - Ad-ware
- Browser Hijackers, and then remove some unnecessary programs.
 First, run ScanDisk to make
sure the drive is OK. If problems running ScanDisk, then reboot the system into SAFE
MODE (hold Ctrl when rebooting, before the Windows splash screen) and
run Scandisk. In some cases it may be necessary to boot from a Windows ME
boot diskette and run from the DOS prompt: SCANDISK C: to clear errors.
 To do a quick Disk
CleanUp and clean out temp files that you do not need, run (Start - Programs -
Accessories - System Tools -Disk CleanUp) on your C: drive. Run this every
week to keep system clean.
 If you do
not have a good up to date virus scan utility installed or there are
problems with it, do a free online AV scan at HouseCall_AV by TrendMicro.
This will take a while to run but worth it to know that you do not have a virus or
common Trojan. If any are found and not removed, go to either PC-cillin or Symantec Removal Tools or McAfee_AV sites for information on
the specific virus and removal tools and instructions.
 Next, and
most important step, is to download and install the SpyBot Search_&_Destroy
tool to delete any Spyware/AD-ware/hijacker found. Read about this type of junk at
Spyware_etc.
These programs come hidden in "free" software, like KaZaA, and can corrupt or slow
down your system. Or can be installed by some hijack web sites that hijack your browser
settings. After installing SpyBot, use the ONLINE feature to update
the software and its reference lists, then run a scan and delete any checked items
found. Leave the un-checked items alone for now. Advanced users can do additional
cookie, history list and Registry deleting with SpyBot later by using the un-checked
items.
 Another good
Spyware-Adware remover is Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. Purchase versions include real-time
detecting and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove
Spyware-Adware.
 Additional information on Spyware
and Browser Hijack removal tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found
at SpywareInfo.
Here you can get help identifying new hijackers, related programs and current news.
 To understand
what tasks and programs are running on your machine, may be causing problems and
taking up the processor bandwidth, download WinTop, one of the free Micro$oft Kernel Toys. It gives accurate
% CPU usage by program. Also use the Windows ME System Tools - System Information
utility to find all programs running and all programs, DLLs and Drivers loaded into
memory.
 To remove
two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause performance problems and hangs, use
(Start - RUN - msconfig - OK, Startup tab) to un-check and remove PCHealth
and TaskMonitor from your Windows ME startup list. They are not needed and
if their data files are corrupted, they can slow down your system. PCHealth collects
system configuration changes for use in remote problem analysis by Enterprise Network
$upport desks. Are you paying for that kind of online support?
TaskMonitor collects information on what parts of programs are being loaded and Tune-UP
uses it to tell Defrag which 10 programs to leave fragmented. Drives
are fast and you do not need this minor tweak for loading a select few programs,
one time. Un-check the "show message box" when the system boots. Once this
is done, reboot and go to System Tools - Scheduled Tasks and delete
the icons for PCHealth and Tune-UP applications, the second part of
these programs, again unneeded. Defrag will now run a little faster.
 The LexMark
Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. If not sharing
Lexmark printer to the network, its problem drivers can be removed without effecting
normal operation. Use MSCONFIG to remove Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab
list (keep LexmarkPrintTray), and then rename or delete the file \Windows\System\Lexpps.exe
using Safe Mode or a boot diskette DOS prompt. The file, Lexpps.exe, may also
exist with some low end HP and Compaq printers that were OEM'ed by Lexmark, so search
for it and rename. See AnswersThatWork - Lexpps.exe.
 If your system _RESTORE
files are corrupted, contain a virus or have grown too large, it can cause system
slowdown problems. Often the STMGR.exe task will start running at 50% or more in
the background. This can be corrected by Disabling System Restore and then
re-enabling System Restore, to delete all the old restore points. Go to (Start
- Settings - Control Panel - System - Performance tab - File System - Troubleshooting
tab), and check the box for "Disable System Restore", click Apply and
exit. System will reboot. Allow STMGR time to delete all the old system restore files,
wait for no disk activity for at least a minute. Then run DEFRAG on the drive. Next
go back into the Troubleshooting tab and un-check the box to enable System
Restore again. Then use the Hard Disk tab to set the "System Restore disk space
use:" slide bar to only use about 1000MB (or less) of disk space to limit how
much of the drive it might use. - - Also, make sure system is up to date on the Windows
UpDate site, as there is a year old fix for System Restore not working
correctly.
 If system slowdowns only start after
logging on to the Internet, then disable Automatic Windows and IE updates.
Again, if their files are corrupted it can cause system slowdowns. Go to Control
Panel - Automatic Updates and under Options, set "Turn off automatic
updating. I will update my computer manually." Check this every so often as Windows
will turn it back on sometimes. Then in Internet Explorer, click Tools - Internet
Options line - Advanced tab, and un-check the box "Automatically Check for IE
updates" and then click Apply. Then use the Windows UpDate site to update
manually.
 To really clean out unneeded Windows
ME temp files, the IE temp files, cookies and index files (which have a history
of every web site you have visited), and corrupted work files, get a copy of the
DELINDEX.BAT file and place it on your C:\ drive. Then boot from a Windows
ME Startup boot diskette and run the batch file per its instructions. It will
clear out INDEX.DAT files junk and free up disk space, so that the system and IE
can run better.
To improve Security and help protect your system from Trojans and Worms, first remove
SSDPSRV which leaves port 1900 and 5000 open, as part of Universal Plug and
Play. Go to Start - Settings - Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs - Widows Setup
tab - select Communications - Details - and un-check "Universal Plug
and Play". Click OK, OK and reboot system.
- Next go to the Windows UpDate site and download
the Security updates for Windows ME and your version of IE.
- Then go to
GRC.com and run Shields UP tests. Read about security there and try to
follow advice on closing
your ports.
- Additional advanced
security testing, worm and trojan information and Firewall testing can be found at
PC Flank.com.
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