Windows ME Fixes... Showing all messages in thread #1071745687 Windows Me Annoyances Discussion Forum The following are all of the messages in this thread (12 in all), shown in chronological order. Click any message subject to view that message by itself or to view the thread hierarchy. Windows ME Fixes... Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 3:08 am Posted by Jack Gulley (5917 messages posted) It is time for an update to my old version of Windows ME Fixes so..... Windows ME Fixes By: ..Jack Gulley.. 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, browser hijackers, virus, worms and trojans, then update all device drivers, install all Windows Updates and make sure your hardware is OK. Memory hardware problems: First make sure your system memory (RAM) is OK. For example: memory failures can cause random 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. Memory problems can also result in program files on the disk being corrupted during a Defrag. A common memory problem from tweaking your system 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. Use the 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). Setting the memory DRAM Timings to "Turbo" or "Fast" instead of the "Normal" setting can also cause problems. 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 MS_253912, 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 MS_304943 to limit Windows ME to using just 1GB of physical RAM: [386Enh] MaxPhysPage=40000 See Memory Resources and Memory Management_vcache for additional information. 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, update Windows ME with security fixes, 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. The first time you run it, select the "Downloaded Program Files" line, click View button, and manually removed all "objects" shown, in case one of these plug-ins are back level and causing problems. They will download again if required. Information on Spyware and Browser Hijack removal tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found at SpywareInfo. You can get help identifying new hijackers, related programs and current news. A major problem today is new and rapid changing Browser Hijackers. Check for and remove the newest of these with the CoolWeb Browser Hijack removal tool. Downloaded and then OPEN the program CWshredder.exe . In some cases Browser Hijackers will prevent you from accessing this download site and other SpywareInfo sites. In that case you can use any working computer to download the small CWshredder.exe program to a diskette and then run it from the diskette on the infected system. Close all other Internet Explorer windows and then run it. When done, reboot your system and run it again. 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 free and easy to use Spyware-Adware remover is Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. It finds and removes a large number of ADWare programs and Porn Dialers. Purchase version includes real-time detecting and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove Spyware-Adware. Be sure to check for updates before using. The first time you run it, you should select the Custom mode and enable all checks that you can. If any items are found, check them to remove them and be sure to reboot the system afterwords. 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. If HouseCall does not download and run, try getting the Klez removal tool at Symantec Removal Tools and make sure this virus is not on the system. Or try the Panda On-Line virus scan. A quick check for Internet Explorer browser HiJack'ers can be done at DoxDesk.com web site. If any are detected, then Ad-Aware or SpyBot should be used to remove them. 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. You can also use the Windows ME System Tools - System Information utility, expand "Software Environment" and look at the "Running Tasks" and the "Loaded Modules", to find all programs running and all programs, DLLs and Drivers loaded into memory. To help make yourself aware of background processes ending or aborting, go to Control Panel - Sounds and Multimedia Properties - Sounds tab and select the "Program Close" event and enable one of the program close sounds, and Apply it. Now every time a program closes or aborts you will hear the sound, and alert you to possible problems you were not aware of. There is also a recommended update (patch) on the Windows UpDate for the Internet Explorer navigation sound (click) that is needed to avoid random hangs when using IE. To make Windows ME stable and allow ScanDisk and Defrag to run without restarts, it is important to remove two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause performance problems, hangs and restarts of ScanDisk and Defrag. 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. Be aware that if you have a software FireWall, that it logs hits to a log file, and will be doing writes to the disk drive. This may cause ScanDisk and Defrag to restart. To get around this problem you either have to disable the firewall logging, disable the firewall during scans, unplug the internet connection, or do the scans in Safe Mode. The LexMark Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. If not sharing Lexmark printer to the network, one of it's problem drivers can be removed without effecting normal operation. 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. Reboot and test. In addition, for most LexMark printers, like the Z42, you can also remove Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab list with RUN - MSCONFIG utility, (keep LexmarkPrintTray). Test to see that removing it does not cause printer problems with your model, other than slowing down initial printing of the first page. 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. Then change the "Typical role of this computer:" to the Network Server option for better performance. - - 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, hangs, or the mouse to freeze for 3 seconds every five minutes. 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. Next go to Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs and look for "Critical Update Notification". If found, Remove it. See AnswersThatWork - WUCrtUpd.exe. It can cause your system to check the Windows Update site every five minutes when online. Then use the Windows UpDate site to update manually. On the Windows Update site, there is an update for the Automatic Update program. Make sure you install this update, and then go back to the Control Panel and Turn off automatic updating again. Trying to do automatic updates in the background can kill Dialup performance, so you have to disable automatic updates in both places. Slow system performance just after booting up and/or just after connecting to the Internet or a Network can be caused by the default setting for NetCrawl. NetCrawl is a Windows ME feature that searches for Network Shares of servers and printers. See MS_Q256248 . If not connected to a network or if you never connect to a network server or printer, this function can be disabled. See MS_276322 or in "My Network Place", Tools, Folder Options, View tab, un-check the "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and click "Apply". This setting can require you to manually connect to local network resources. If you have MicroSoft's Office installed and have slow disk access problems, use Kill Fast Find MS_158704 procedure to disable the problem causing Fast Find function, and leave it that way. If your system hangs while you are a way from it, it could be due to default Power Management settings, which are a problem with Windows ME. To disable Hibernate, in Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate tab, uncheck the "Enable hibernate support" option. Then on the Power Schemes tab, make sure the "System Stand by" option is set to Never. It is also recommended that you go into the systems BIOS CMOS Settings and under Power Management Setup disable "ACPI function" and "PM control by APM". If you still have random hangs and shutdown problems, and all else has failed to help, try using Micro$ofts procedures for trouble shooting Windows ME Shutdown Problems. Security: 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. Make a Windows ME Start up diskette in Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs icon, Startup Disk tab. 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. [Reply or follow-up to this message]

Tip: Run a free scan for common Windows errors ad

re: Windows ME Fixes... Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 3:51 am Posted by Jack Gulley (5917 messages posted) Knew I would leave something out. It is important to update all device drivers for you hardware (System board chip set, Video adapter, Ethernet card, modem, sound, Printer, etc.) Reaktek has released an update for its Network adapters that fixes a shutdown hang problem. VIA Tech provides its Hyperion 4in1 system board drivers and sound driver updates for system boards with VIA chip sets. As does INTEL for INTEL chip set boards. nVidia for their graphics adapter drivers. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 8:46 am Posted by jabuck (2274 messages posted) Love the add-ons Jack, very up to date---again, a masterpiece. ---jabuck On Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 3:08 am, Jack Gulley wrote: > It is time for an update to my old version of >target="_break"> Windows ME Fixes so..... > >Windows ME Fixes > >By: >face="Comic Sans MS"size=+1 color=#2200EE>..Jack Gulley.. > > > 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, browser hijackers, virus, worms and trojans, then update >all device drivers, install all Windows Updates and make sure your hardware >is OK. > >Memory hardware problems: > > First make sure your system memory (RAM) is OK. > For example: memory failures can cause random 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. Memory problems can also result in program files on the >disk being corrupted during a Defrag. A common memory problem from tweaking your >system 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. Use the 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). Setting the memory DRAM Timings to "Turbo" >or "Fast" instead of the "Normal" setting can also cause problems. > Run a standalone memory test from a DOS boot diskette. Get both >target="_blank"> DocMemory_v2.0 and >target="_blank"> 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. > > name="512 MB Limits" > > If a Windows >ME system has more than 512MB of RAM, then to work around a >bug in the vcache management, per >target="_blank">MS_253912, 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 >target="_blank">MS_304943 to limit Windows ME to using >just 1GB of physical RAM: > >[386Enh] >MaxPhysPage=40000 > >See >Memory Resources and > Memory Management_vcache for >additional information. > > > name="Standard Intro" > >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, update Windows ME with security fixes, and then remove >some unnecessary programs. > > SCANDISK > > 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. > > Disk CleanUp > > 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. The first time you run it, select the "Downloaded Program >Files" line, click View button, and manually removed all "objects" shown, in case >one of these plug-ins are back level and causing problems. They will download again >if required. > > name="Spywareinfo" > > Information on >target="_blank"> Spyware and Browser Hijack removal >tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found at >target="_blank"> SpywareInfo. You can get help identifying >new hijackers, related programs and current news. > > CWShredder> > A major >problem today is new and rapid changing Browser Hijackers. Check for and remove the >newest of these with the CoolWeb Browser Hijack removal tool. Downloaded and then >OPEN the program >CWshredder.exe . In some cases Browser Hijackers will prevent you from accessing >this download site and other SpywareInfo sites. In that case you can use any working >computer to download the small >CWshredder.exe program to a diskette and then run it from the diskette on the >infected system. Close all other Internet Explorer windows and then run it. When >done, reboot your system and run it again. > > Spyware - SpyBot > > Next, and >most important step, is to download and install the >target="_blank">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 >target="_blank">SpyBot later by using the un-checked >items. > > Ad-Aware - Lavasoft > > Another good >free and easy to use Spyware-Adware remover is >color=#2200FF>Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. It finds and removes a large number >of ADWare programs and Porn Dialers. Purchase version includes real-time detecting >and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at >target="_blank"> Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove >Spyware-Adware. Be sure to check for updates before using. The first time you run >it, you should select the Custom mode and enable all checks that you can. If any >items are found, check them to remove them and be sure to reboot the system afterwords. > > name="Virus Scan" > > 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 >target="_blank"> 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 >target="_blank"> PC-cillin or >target="_blank"> Symantec Removal Tools or >target="_blank"> McAfee_AV sites for information on >the specific virus and removal tools and instructions. If HouseCall does not download >and run, try getting the Klez removal tool at >target="_blank"> Symantec Removal Tools and make sure this virus is not on the >system. Or try the >color=#111188> Panda On-Line virus scan. > > name="DoxDisk" > > A quick check for Internet Explorer browser HiJack'ers can be done at >target="_blank"> DoxDesk.com web site. If any are detected, then Ad-Aware or >SpyBot should be used to remove them. > > name="WINTOP tool" > > To understand >what tasks and programs are running on your machine, may be causing problems and >taking up the processor bandwidth, download >target="_blank"> WinTop, one of the free Micro$oft Kernel Toys. It gives accurate >%CPU usage by program. You can also use the Windows ME System Tools - System >Information utility, expand "Software Environment" and look at the "Running Tasks" >and the "Loaded Modules", to find all programs running and all programs, DLLs and >Drivers loaded into memory. > > Program Close Sound > > To help >make yourself aware of background processes ending or aborting, go to Control Panel >- Sounds and Multimedia Properties - Sounds tab and select the "Program Close" >event and enable one of the program close sounds, and Apply it. Now every time a >program closes or aborts you will hear the sound, and alert you to possible problems >you were not aware of. > >There is also a recommended update (patch) on the >target="_blank">Windows UpDate for the Internet >Explorer navigation sound (click) that is needed to avoid random hangs when using >IE. > > name="PCHealth - TaskMonitor" > > To make >Windows ME stable and allow ScanDisk and Defrag to run without restarts, it >is important to remove two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause performance >problems, hangs and restarts of ScanDisk and Defrag. 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. >size="-2">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. > > >Be aware that if you have a software FireWall, that it logs hits to a log file, >and will be doing writes to the disk drive. This may cause ScanDisk and Defrag to >restart. To get around this problem you either have to disable the firewall logging, >disable the firewall during scans, unplug the internet connection, or do the scans >in Safe Mode. > > name="LexMark Drivers" > > The LexMark >Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. >If not sharing Lexmark printer to the network, one of it's problem drivers can be >removed without effecting normal operation. 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 >target="_blank"> AnswersThatWork - Lexpps.exe. Reboot >and test. In addition, for most LexMark printers, like the Z42, you can also remove >Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab list with RUN - MSCONFIG utility, (keep >LexmarkPrintTray). Test to see that removing it does not cause printer problems with >your model, other than slowing down initial printing of the first page. > > name="System _RESTORE" > > 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 >target="_blank"> 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. Then change the "Typical role of this computer:" >to the Network Server option for better performance. - - Also, make sure system >is up to date on the >color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site, as there is a year old fix for >System Restore not working correctly. > > name="Automatic Updates" > > 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, hangs, or the >mouse to freeze for 3 seconds every five minutes. 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. > Next go to Control >Panel - Add/Remove Programs and look for "Critical Update Notification". If >found, Remove it. See >target="_blank"> AnswersThatWork - WUCrtUpd.exe. It >can cause your system to check the Windows Update site every five minutes when online. >Then use the >color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site to update manually. On the Windows >Update site, there is an update for the Automatic Update program. Make sure you install >this update, and then go back to the Control Panel and Turn off automatic updating >again. Trying to do automatic updates in the background can kill Dialup performance, >so you have to disable automatic updates in both places. > > NetCrawl > > Slow system performance >just after booting up and/or just after connecting to the Internet or a Network can >be caused by the default setting for NetCrawl. NetCrawl is a Windows ME feature >that searches for Network Shares of servers and printers. See >target="_blank"> MS_Q256248 . If not connected to >a network or if you never connect to a network server or printer, this function can >be disabled. See >target="_blank"> MS_276322 or in "My Network Place", >Tools, Folder Options, View tab, un-check the "Automatically search for network folders >and printers" and click "Apply". This setting can require you to manually connect >to local network resources. > > Fast Find > > If you have MicroSoft's >Office installed and have slow disk access problems, use >target="_blank"> Kill Fast Find MS_158704 procedure to disable the problem causing >Fast Find function, and leave it that way. > > Update Drivers > > > Power Management > > If your system >hangs while you are a way from it, it could be due to default Power Management >settings, which are a problem with Windows ME. To disable Hibernate, in Control >Panel - Power Options - Hibernate tab, uncheck the "Enable hibernate support" option. >Then on the Power Schemes tab, make sure the "System Stand by" option is set to Never. >It is also recommended that you go into the systems BIOS CMOS Settings and under >Power Management Setup disable "ACPI function" and "PM control by APM". > > Shutdown Problems > > If you still have >random hangs and shutdown problems, and all else has failed to help, try using Micro$ofts >procedures for trouble shooting >target="_blank"> Windows ME Shutdown Problems. > >Security: > > > DELINDEX.bat > > 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. Make a Windows ME Start up diskette in Control Panel, Add/Remove >Programs icon, Startup Disk tab. > > name="Security - SSDPRSRV - GRC - PcFlank" > > 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 >target="_blank"> Windows UpDate site and download >the Security updates for Windows ME and your version of IE. - Then go to > GRC.com and run >target="_blank"> 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. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... Saturday, January 3, 2004 at 1:11 pm Posted by Ralph (1 messages posted) Great list Jack. Too bad some of the readers/responders don't heed your advice about deleting the original message. :) [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... Test fixed links Monday, January 5, 2004 at 2:14 pm Posted by Jack Gulley (5917 messages posted) 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, browser hijackers, virus, worms and trojans, then update all device drivers, install all Windows Updates and make sure your hardware is OK. Memory hardware problems: First make sure your system memory (RAM) is OK. For example: memory failures can cause random program hanging symptoms. Or if you are overclocking and there is a random failure problem. This can happen without you realizing it on most system boards running Windows. So you must test memory outside of Windows. Memory problems can also result in program files on the disk being corrupted during a Defrag. A common memory problem from tweaking your system 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. Use the CMOS Setup function to set memory values to default settings, and the CL setting to 3 (unless you know for a fact your memory is rated CL=2). Setting the memory DRAM Timings to "Turbo" or "Fast" instead of the "Normal" setting can also cause problems. 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 MS_253912, 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 MS_304943 to limit Windows ME to using just 1GB of physical RAM: [386Enh] MaxPhysPage=40000 See Memory Resources and Memory Management_vcache for additional information. 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, update Windows ME with security fixes, 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. MS Info. 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. The first time you run it, select the "Downloaded Program Files" line, click View button, and manually removed all "objects" shown, in case one of these plug-ins are back level and causing problems. They will download again if required. Information on Spyware and Browser Hijack removal tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found at SpywareInfo. You can get help identifying new hijackers, related programs and current news. A major problem today is new and rapid changing Browser Hijackers. Check for and remove the newest of these with the CoolWebSearch Browser Hijack removal tool. Downloaded and OPEN CWshredder.exe by Merijin. Some Browser Hijackers prevent you from accessing these SpywareInfo sites. In that case, use a working system to download the small CWshredder.exe program to a diskette and then run it from the diskette on the infected system. Close all other Internet Explorer windows and then click Fix. to run it. When done, reboot your system and run it again. 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 free and easy to use Spyware-Adware remover is Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. It finds and removes a large number of ADWare programs and Porn Dialers. Purchase version includes real-time detecting and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove Spyware-Adware. Be sure to check for updates before using. The first time you run it, you should select the Custom mode and enable all checks that you can. If any items are found, check them to remove them and be sure to reboot the system afterwords. 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. If HouseCall does not download and run, try getting the Klez removal tool at Symantec Removal Tools and make sure this virus is not on the system. Or try the Panda On-Line virus scan. A quick check for Internet Explorer browser HiJack'ers can be done at DoxDesk.com web site. If any are detected, then Ad-Aware or SpyBot should be used to remove them. 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. You can also use the Windows ME System Tools - System Information utility, expand "Software Environment" and look at the "Running Tasks" and the "Loaded Modules", to find all programs running and all programs, DLLs and Drivers loaded into memory. To help make yourself aware of background processes ending or aborting, go to Control Panel - Sounds and Multimedia Properties - Sounds tab and select the "Program Close" event and enable one of the program close sounds, and Apply it. Now every time a program closes or aborts you will hear the sound, and alert you to possible problems you were not aware of. There is also a recommended update (patch) on the Windows UpDate for the Internet Explorer navigation sound (click) that is needed to avoid random hangs when using IE. To make Windows ME stable and allow ScanDisk and Defrag to run without restarts, it is important to remove two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause performance problems, hangs and restarts of ScanDisk and Defrag. 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. Be aware, when a software FireWall logs hits it will do writes to the disk drive. This will cause ScanDisk and Defrag to restart. To get around this problem you either have to disable the firewall logging, disable the firewall during scans, unplug the internet, or do the scans after booting the system into Safe Mode. The LexMark Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. If not sharing Lexmark printer to the network, one of it's problem drivers can be removed without effecting normal operation. 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. Reboot and test. In addition, for most LexMark printers, like the Z42, you can also remove Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab list with RUN - MSCONFIG utility, (keep LexmarkPrintTray). Test to see that removing it does not cause printer problems with your model, other than slowing down initial printing of the first page. 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. Then change the "Typical role of this computer:" to the Network Server option for better performance. - - 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 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, hangs, or the mouse to freeze for 3 seconds every five minutes. 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. Next go to Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs and look for "Critical Update Notification". If found, Remove it. See AnswersThatWork - WUCrtUpd.exe. It can cause your system to check the Windows Update site every five minutes when online. Then use the Windows UpDate site to update manually. On the Windows Update site, there is an update for the Automatic Update program. Make sure you install this update, and then go back to the Control Panel and Turn off automatic updating again. Trying to do automatic updates in the background can kill Dialup performance, so you have to disable automatic updates in both places. Slow system performance just after booting up and/or just after connecting to the Internet or a Network can be caused by the default setting for NetCrawl. NetCrawl is a Windows ME feature that searches for Network Shares of servers and printers. See MS_Q256248 . If not connected to a network or if you never connect to a network server or printer, this function can be disabled. See MS_276322 or in "My Network Place", Tools, Folder Options, View tab, un-check the "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and click "Apply". This setting can require you to manually connect to local network resources. If you have MicroSoft's Office installed and have slow disk access problems, use Kill Fast Find MS_158704 procedure to disable the problem causing Fast Find function, and leave it that way. If system slows down and System Resources drop after running System Information, check Task Manger (Alt-Ctrl-Del) for WinMGMT running. Use Task Manager or WINTOP to End Task, or RUN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WBEM\WINMGMT.EXE /kill to kill WinMGMT.exe. It does not always exit when it should. It is important to update all device drivers for you hardware (System board chip set, Video adapter, Ethernet card, modem, sound, Printer, etc.) Reaktek has released an update for its Network adapters that fixes a shutdown hang problem. VIA Tech provides its Hyperion 4in1 system board drivers and sound driver updates for system boards with VIA chip sets. As does INTEL for INTEL chip set boards. nVidia for their graphics adapter drivers. If your system hangs while you are a way from it, it could be due to default Power Management settings, which are a problem with Windows ME. To disable Hibernate, in Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate tab, uncheck the "Enable hibernate support" option. Then on the Power Schemes tab, make sure the "System Stand by" option is set to Never. It is also recommended that you go into the systems BIOS CMOS Settings and under Power Management Setup disable "ACPI function" and "PM control by APM". If you still have random hangs and shutdown problems, and all else has failed to help, try using Micro$ofts procedures for trouble shooting Windows ME Shutdown Problems. Security: 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. Make a Windows ME Start up diskette in Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs icon, Startup Disk tab. To improve Security and help protect your system from Trojans and Worms; 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, then Restart system. Go to the Windows UpDate site and download the Security updates for Windows ME and IE. 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. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... Test fixed links Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at 7:10 am Posted by Nathan (2 messages posted) Hello Jack, Thank you very much for the reference to your incredibly detailed and hope-injecting writings on the problem I am having. If I am able to put this to the good use that it strongly makes me believe...I will be thrilled...thanks for giving me sound steps to follow. On Monday, January 5, 2004 at 2:14 pm, Jack Gulley wrote: > > name="Intro - Windows ME" > > > 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, browser hijackers, virus, worms and trojans, then update >all device drivers, install all Windows Updates and make sure your hardware >is OK. > >Memory hardware problems: > > name="Memory Tests" > > First make sure your system memory (RAM) is OK. > For example: memory failures can cause random program hanging symptoms. Or if >you are overclocking and there is a random failure problem. This can happen without >you realizing it on most system boards running Windows. So you must test memory outside >of Windows. Memory problems can also result in program files on the disk being corrupted >during a Defrag. A common memory problem from tweaking your system 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. Use the CMOS Setup function to set memory values to default settings, >and the CL setting to 3 (unless you know for a fact your memory is rated CL=2). Setting >the memory DRAM Timings to "Turbo" or "Fast" instead of the "Normal" setting can >also cause problems. > Run a standalone memory test from a DOS boot diskette. Get both >target="_blank"> DocMemory_v2.0 and >target="_blank"> 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. > > name="512 MB" > > If a Windows >ME system has more than 512MB of RAM, then to work around a >bug in the vcache management, per >target="_blank">MS_253912, 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 >target="_blank">MS_304943 to limit Windows ME to using >just 1GB of physical RAM: > >[386Enh] >MaxPhysPage=40000 > >See >Memory Resources and > Memory Management_vcache for >additional information. > > name="Standard Intro" > > >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, update Windows ME with security fixes, and then remove >some unnecessary programs. > > name="SCANDISK" > > 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. >target="_blank"> MS Info. > > name="Disk CleanUp" > > 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. The first time you run it, select the "Downloaded >Program Files" line, click View button, and manually removed all "objects" shown, >in case one of these plug-ins are back level and causing problems. They will download >again if required. > > name="Spywareinfo" > > Information on >target="_blank"> Spyware and Browser Hijack removal >tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found at >target="_blank"> SpywareInfo. You can get help identifying >new hijackers, related programs and current news. > > name="CWShredder" > > A major >problem today is new and rapid changing Browser Hijackers. Check for and remove the >newest of these with the CoolWebSearch Browser Hijack removal tool. Downloaded and >OPEN CWshredder.exe >by Merijin. >Some Browser Hijackers prevent you from accessing these SpywareInfo sites. In that >case, use a working system to download the small >CWshredder.exe program to a diskette and then run it from the diskette on the >infected system. Close all other Internet Explorer windows and then click Fix. >to run it. When done, reboot your system and run it again. > > name="Spyware-SpyBot" > > Next, >and most important step, is to download and install the >target="_blank">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 >target="_blank">SpyBot later by using the un-checked >items. > > name="Ad-Aware-Lavasoft" > > Another >good free and easy to use Spyware-Adware remover is >target="_blank">Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. It finds and >removes a large number of ADWare programs and Porn Dialers. Purchase version includes >real-time detecting and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at > >Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove Spyware-Adware. Be sure to check for >updates before using. The first time you run it, you should select the Custom mode >and enable all checks that you can. If any items are found, check them to remove >them and be sure to reboot the system afterwords. > > name="Virus Scan" > > 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 >target="_blank"> 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 >target="_blank"> PC-cillin or >target="_blank"> Symantec Removal Tools or >target="_blank"> McAfee_AV sites for information on >the specific virus and removal tools and instructions. If HouseCall does not download >and run, try getting the Klez removal tool at >target="_blank"> Symantec Removal Tools and make sure this virus is not on the >system. Or try the >color=#111188> Panda On-Line virus scan. > > name="DoxDisk" > > A quick check for Internet Explorer browser HiJack'ers can be done at >target="_blank"> DoxDesk.com web site. If any are detected, then Ad-Aware or >SpyBot should be used to remove them. > > name="WINTOP tool" > > To understand >what tasks and programs are running on your machine, may be causing problems and >taking up the processor bandwidth, download >target="_blank"> WinTop, one of the free Micro$oft Kernel Toys. It gives accurate >%CPU usage by program. You can also use the Windows ME System Tools - System >Information utility, expand "Software Environment" and look at the "Running Tasks" >and the "Loaded Modules", to find all programs running and all programs, DLLs and >Drivers loaded into memory. > > Program Close Sound > > >To help make yourself aware of background processes ending or aborting, go to Control >Panel - Sounds and Multimedia Properties - Sounds tab and select the "Program >Close" event and enable one of the program close sounds, and Apply it. Now every >time a program closes or aborts you will hear the sound, and alert you to possible >problems you were not aware of. > > >There is also a recommended update (patch) on the >target="_blank">Windows UpDate for the Internet >Explorer navigation sound (click) that is needed to avoid random hangs when using >IE. > > name="PCHealth-TaskMonitor" > > To make >Windows ME stable and allow ScanDisk and Defrag to run without restarts, it >is important to remove two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause performance >problems, hangs and restarts of ScanDisk and Defrag. 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. >size="-2">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. > > name=Firewall-Defrag > > Be aware, when a software FireWall logs hits it will do writes to the disk drive. >This will cause ScanDisk and Defrag to restart. To get around this problem you either >have to disable the firewall logging, disable the firewall during scans, unplug the >internet, or do the scans after booting the system into Safe Mode. > > name="LexMark Lexpps" > > The LexMark >Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. >If not sharing Lexmark printer to the network, one of it's problem drivers can be >removed without effecting normal operation. 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 >target="_blank"> AnswersThatWork - Lexpps.exe. Reboot >and test. In addition, for most LexMark printers, like the Z42, you can also remove >Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab list with RUN - MSCONFIG utility, (keep >LexmarkPrintTray). Test to see that removing it does not cause printer problems with >your model, other than slowing down initial printing of the first page. > > name="System_RESTORE" > > 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 >target="_blank"> 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. Then change the "Typical role of this computer:" >to the Network Server option for better performance. - - Also, make sure system >is up to date on the >color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site, as there is a year old fix for >System Restore not working correctly. > > name="Automatic Updates" > > If system slowdowns 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, hangs, or the >mouse to freeze for 3 seconds every five minutes. 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. > Next go to Control >Panel - Add/Remove Programs and look for "Critical Update Notification". If >found, Remove it. See >target="_blank"> AnswersThatWork - WUCrtUpd.exe. It >can cause your system to check the Windows Update site every five minutes when online. >Then use the >color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site to update manually. On the Windows >Update site, there is an update for the Automatic Update program. Make sure you install >this update, and then go back to the Control Panel and Turn off automatic updating >again. Trying to do automatic updates in the background can kill Dialup performance, >so you have to disable automatic updates in both places. > > name="NetCrawl" > > >Slow system performance just after booting up and/or just after connecting to the >Internet or a Network can be caused by the default setting for NetCrawl. NetCrawl >is a Windows ME feature that searches for Network Shares of servers and printers. >See >MS_Q256248 . If not connected to a network or if you >never connect to a network server or printer, this function can be disabled. See > >color=#0000BB> MS_276322 or in "My Network Place", Tools, Folder Options, >View tab, un-check the "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and >click "Apply". This setting can require you to manually connect to local network >resources. > > name="Fast Find" > > >If you have MicroSoft's Office installed and have slow disk access problems, use > >Kill Fast Find MS_158704 procedure to disable the problem causing Fast Find >function, and leave it that way. > > name="WinMgMt" > > If system slows down and System Resources drop after running System Information, >check Task Manger (Alt-Ctrl-Del) for WinMGMT running. Use Task Manager or >WINTOP to End Task, or RUN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WBEM\WINMGMT.EXE >/kill to kill WinMGMT.exe. It does not always exit when it should. > > name="Update Drivers" > > It is important to update all device drivers for you hardware (System board chip >set, Video adapter, Ethernet card, modem, sound, Printer, etc.) >target="_blank"> Reaktek has released an update for its Network adapters that >fixes a shutdown hang problem. >VIA Tech provides its Hyperion 4in1 system board drivers and sound driver updates >for system boards with VIA chip sets. As does >target="_blank"> INTEL for INTEL chip set boards. >target="_blank"> nVidia for their graphics adapter drivers. > > name="Power Management" > > >If your system hangs while you are a way from it, it could be due to default Power >Management settings, which are a problem with Windows ME. To disable Hibernate, >in Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate tab, uncheck the "Enable hibernate support" >option. Then on the Power Schemes tab, make sure the "System Stand by" option is >set to Never. It is also recommended that you go into the systems BIOS CMOS >Settings and under Power Management Setup disable "ACPI function" and "PM control >by APM". > > name="Shutdown Problems" > > If you still have >random hangs and shutdown problems, and all else has failed to help, try using Micro$ofts >procedures for trouble shooting >target="_blank"> Windows ME Shutdown Problems. > > name="DELINDEX" > > >Security: > > 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. Make a Windows ME Start up diskette in Control Panel, Add/Remove >Programs icon, Startup Disk tab. > > name="Security" > > To >improve Security and help protect your system from Trojans and Worms; > > 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, then Restart system. > Go to the >color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site and download the Security updates >for Windows ME and IE. > Go to GRC.com and run > Shields UP >tests. Read about security there and try to follow advice on >target="_blank">closing your ports. > Additional advanced security testing, worm and trojan information and Firewall >testing can be found at PC Flank.com. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Windows ME Fixes... 2004/1/16 Friday, January 16, 2004 at 12:44 am Posted by Jack Gulley (5917 messages posted) Windows ME Fixes By: ..Jack Gulley.. 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, browser hijackers, virus, worms and trojans, then update all device drivers, install all Windows UpDates and make sure your hardware is OK. Memory hardware problems: First make sure your system memory (RAM) is OK. For example: memory failures can cause random program hanging symptoms. Or if you are overclocking and there is a random failure problem. This can happen without you realizing it on most system boards running Windows. So you must test memory outside of Windows. Memory problems can also result in program files on the disk being corrupted during a Defrag. Use the system board BIOS CMOS Setup function to set memory values to default settings, and the CL setting to 3 (unless you know for a fact all your memory is rated CL=2). Setting the memory DRAM Timings to "Turbo" or "Fast" instead of the "Normal" setting can also cause problems. 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 design bug in the vcache management, per MS_253912, 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 MS_304943 to limit Windows ME to using just 1GB of physical RAM: [386Enh] MaxPhysPage=40000 You do NOT need any memory managers or Optimizers with Windows ME. See Memory Resources and Memory Management_vcache for additional information on Windows ME memory and vcache management. 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, update Windows ME with security fixes, 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. MS Info. 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. The first time you run it, select the "Downloaded Program Files" line, click View button, and manually removed all "objects" shown, in case one of these plug-ins are back level and causing problems. They will download again if required. Information on Spyware and Browser Hijack removal tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found at SpywareInfo. You can get help identifying new hijackers, related programs and current news. A major problem today is new and rapid changing Browser Hijackers. Check for and remove the newest of these with the CoolWebSearch Browser Hijack removal tool. OPEN CWshredder.exe by Merijin. Close all Internet Explorer windows and then click Fix. When done, reboot your system and run it again. - This program has updates almost every week. - VBRun60 required on older versions of Windows. - Some Browser Hijackers prevent you from accessing SpywareInfo sites through additions to the Windows\HOSTS file. In that case, use different browser, or a working system to download the small CWshredder.exe program to a diskette and run it on the infected system. Next, and most important step, is to install the SpyBot Search_&_Destroy tool for deleting Spyware/AD-ware and Browser hijackers. Read about this type of Malware at Spyware_etc. Malware comes hidden in "free" software, like KaZaA and Internet Accelerators, and can corrupt or slow down your system. Or can be installed by some hijack web pages that hijack your browser settings. After installing SpyBot S&D, use Search for updates to update the program and its file list, check items found. Change the UniDo(Europe) download site to USA or Australia, then click Download update. Click Check for problems to scan and when done, delete all items in red found. Leave the non-red items for later. Advanced users can do additional cookie, history list and Registry deleting with SpyBot later by using the other items. Be aware that the Immunize function of SpyBot S&D can block your access to some Control Panel functions in Windows. Another good, free and easy to use Spyware-Adware remover is Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. It finds and removes a large number of ADWare programs and Porn Dialers. Purchase version includes real-time detecting and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove Spyware-Adware. Be sure to check for updates now before using every week. The first time you run it, you should select the Custom scanning options and enable all checks that you can. If any items are found, check them to remove them. Be sure to reboot when done if problems were found. A quick check for Internet Explorer browser Hijackers can be done at DoxDesk.com web site. If any are detected, then Ad-Aware or SpyBot should be used to remove them. 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. If HouseCall does not download and run, try getting the Klez removal tool at Symantec Removal Tools or Stinger and make sure this virus is not on the system. Or try the Panda On-Line virus scan. 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 idle time and usage by program. You can also use the Windows ME System Tools - System Information utility, expand "Software Environment" and look at the "Running Tasks" and the "Loaded Modules", to find all programs running and all programs, DLLs and Drivers loaded into memory. To help make yourself aware of background processes ending or aborting, go to Control Panel - Sounds and Multimedia Properties - Sounds tab and select the "Program Close" event and enable one of the program close sounds, and Apply it. Now every time a program closes or aborts you will hear the sound, and alert you to possible problems you were not aware of. There is also a recommended update (patch) on the Windows UpDate for the Internet Explorer navigation sound (click) that is needed to avoid random hangs when using IE. To make Windows ME more stable and allow ScanDisk and Defrag to run without restarts, it is important to remove two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause system performance problems, hangs and restarts. 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 only collects system configuration change information, for use in remote problem analysis by Enterprise Network $upport desks. Is your company paying for that kind of remote 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. Programs will load a little faster, the disk drive has to work less and Defrag and ScanDisk will not restart as often. Be aware, when a software FireWall logs hits it will do writes to the disk drive. This will cause ScanDisk and Defrag to restart. To get around this problem you either have to disable the firewall logging, disable the firewall during scans, unplug the internet, or run them after booting into Safe Mode. The LexMark Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. If not sharing Lexmark printer to the network, one of it's problem drivers can be removed without effecting normal operation. 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. Reboot and test. In addition, for most LexMark printers, like the Z42, you can also remove Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab list with RUN - MSCONFIG utility, (keep LexmarkPrintTray). Test to see that removing it does not cause printer problems with your model, other than slowing down initial printing of the first page. 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 900MB (or less) of disk space to limit how much of the drive it might use. Also change the "Typical role of this computer:" to the Network Server option for better performance. - - Make sure system is up to date on the Windows UpDate site, as there is an old fix for System Restore not working. If system slowdowns 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, hangs, or the mouse to freeze for 3 seconds every five minutes. 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. Use the Windows UpDate site to update manually. On the Windows Update site, there is an update for the Automatic Update program. Make sure you install this update, and then go back to the Control Panel and Turn off automatic updating again. Trying to do automatic updates in the background can kill Dial-up performance, so you have to disable automatic updates in both places. Next go to Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs and look for "Critical Update Notification". If found, Remove it. See AnswersThatWork - WUCrtUpd.exe. It can cause your system to check the Windows Update site every five minutes when online. Slow system performance just after booting up and/or just after connecting to the Internet or a Network can be caused by the default setting for NetCrawl. NetCrawl is a Windows ME feature that searches for Network Shares of servers and printers. See MS_Q256248. If not connected to a network or if you never connect to a network server or printer, this function can be disabled. See MS_276322 or in "My Network Place", Tools, Folder Options, View tab, un-check the "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and click "Apply". This setting can require you to manually connect to local network resources. If you have MicroSoft's Office installed and have slow disk access problems, use Kill Fast Find MS_158704 procedure to disable the problem causing Fast Find function, and leave it that way. If system slows down and System Resources drop after running System Information or HELP, check Task Manger (Alt-Ctrl-Del) for WinMGMT running. Or if you use Adobe Reader to view a PDF document from inside IE and exit, check for ACCORD32.exe still running. Use Task Manager or WINTOP to select Winmgmt or ACCORD32 and End Task. They do not always exit when they should. If your system hangs while you are a way from it, it could be due to default Power Management settings, which are a problem with Windows ME. To disable Hibernate, in Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate tab, uncheck the "Enable hibernate support" option. Then on the Power Schemes tab, make sure the "System Stand by" option is set to Never. It is also recommended that you go into the systems BIOS CMOS Settings and under Power Management Setup disable "ACPI function" and "PM control by APM". It is important to update all your hardware device drivers with the newest Windows ME specific drivers. (System board chip set, Video adapter, Ethernet card, modem, sound, Printer, etc.) The default Windows ME drivers are too old and do not work with new adapters. Often the drivers that come with older adapters or system boards have bugs and are not Windows ME specific. Use Device Manager and System Information tool to help identify chip sets used and their ID numbers. Reaktek has released updates for their Ethernet Network adapters that fix a random shutdown hang problem. VIA Tech provides its Hyperion 4in1 system board drivers and AC'97 sound driver updates for system boards with VIA chip sets. INTEL for INTEL chip set boards. System board vendor for SIS chip set systems. nVidia or ATI for their video graphics adapter drivers. ROXIO ECDC/Direct-CD or NERO for CD-RW burner updates. Agere Systems for latest Lucent/Agere LT WinModem driver. If you still have random hangs and shutdown problems, and all else has failed to help, try using Micro$ofts procedures for trouble shooting Windows ME Shutdown Problems. Security: 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. Make a Windows ME Start up diskette in Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs icon, Startup Disk tab. Be aware that recent versions of McAfee AV will automatically delete the DELINDEX.BAT file! To improve Security and help protect your system from Trojans and Worms; 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, then Restart system. Go to the Windows UpDate site and download the Security updates for Windows ME and IE. When upgrading to Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or Direct-X 9.0b with Dial-Up, download package from Download Center first to a work folder, then reboot into Safe Mode and do the install to avoid problems. Go to GRC.com and run Shields UP tests. Read about security there and try to follow advice on closing your ports. After closing ports, if broadband Internet connection, consider getting a router with Firewall or a software firewall program like ZoneAlarm. Remember to update your Anti Virus and Spyware programs every week! Additional security and Firewall testing, worm and trojan information can be found at PC Flank.com. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... 2004/1/16 Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 5:42 am Posted by lupino (7 messages posted) I'm glad I came here, this is the best bit of free information I've read about fixes for WindowsMe. Why is it that when doing a SCAN DISK it keeps stopping and starting and comes back with a message to the effect that some other program is running and so cannot complete the task? This happens every time I do a Scan Disk and DeFrag. Or is that just me with this problem? I'm new to this forum so please excuse me if I'm asking about something that has been dealt with elsewhere. But thanks for the Fixes Jack...will try them as best I can, since some sound rather complicated to do. Thanks ~ Amÿ On Friday, January 16, 2004 at 12:44 am, Jack Gulley wrote: > >Windows ME Fixes > By: >face="Comic Sans MS"size=+1 color=#2200EE>..Jack Gulley.. >name="Intro"> > > 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, browser hijackers, virus, worms and trojans, then update >all device drivers, install all target="_blank">Windows UpDates and make sure your hardware is OK. >name="Memory Tests"> > >Memory hardware problems: > First make sure your system memory (RAM) is OK. > For example: memory failures can cause random program hanging symptoms. Or if >you are overclocking and there is a random failure problem. This can happen without >you realizing it on most system boards running Windows. So you must test memory outside >of Windows. Memory problems can also result in program files on the disk being corrupted >during a Defrag. Use the system board BIOS CMOS Setup function to set memory values >to default settings, and the CL setting to 3 (unless you know for a fact all your >memory is rated CL=2). Setting the memory DRAM Timings to "Turbo" or "Fast" instead >of the "Normal" setting can also cause problems. > Run a standalone memory test from a DOS boot diskette. Get both target="_blank"> DocMemory_v2.0 and target="_blank"> 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. >name="512 MB"> > If a Windows >ME system has more than 512MB of RAM, then to work around a >design bug in the vcache management, per target="_blank">MS_253912, 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 target="_blank">MS_304943 to limit Windows ME to using >just 1GB of physical RAM: > >[386Enh] >MaxPhysPage=40000 > You do NOT need any memory managers or Optimizers with Windows ME. See > Memory >Resources and color=#332288> Memory Management_vcache for additional >information on Windows ME memory and vcache management. >name="Standard Intro"> > >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, update Windows ME with security fixes, and then remove >some unnecessary programs. >name="SCANDISK"> > 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. target="_blank"> MS Info. >name="Disk CleanUp"> > 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. The first time you run it, select the "Downloaded >Program Files" line, click View button, and manually removed all "objects" shown, >in case one of these plug-ins are back level and causing problems. They will download >again if required. >name="Spywareinfo"> > Information on target="_blank"> Spyware and Browser Hijack removal >tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found at target="_blank"> SpywareInfo. You can get help identifying >new hijackers, related programs and current news. >name="CWShredder"> > A major >problem today is new and rapid changing Browser Hijackers. Check for and remove the >newest of these with the CoolWebSearch Browser Hijack removal tool. OPEN href="http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/junk/CWShredder.exe"> >CWshredder.exe by target="_blank"> Merijin. Close all Internet Explorer windows and then click >Fix. When done, reboot your system and run it again. - This program has >updates almost every week. - target="_blank">VBRun60 required on older versions of Windows. - Some Browser >Hijackers prevent you from accessing SpywareInfo sites through additions to the Windows\HOSTS >file. In that case, use different browser, or a working system to download the small > CWshredder.exe >program to a diskette and run it on the infected system. >name="Spyware-SpyBot"> > Next, >and most important step, is to install the target="_blank">SpyBot Search_&_Destroy >tool for deleting Spyware/AD-ware and Browser hijackers. Read about this type of >Malware at Spyware_etc. >Malware comes hidden in "free" software, like KaZaA and Internet Accelerators, and >can corrupt or slow down your system. Or can be installed by some hijack web pages >that hijack your browser settings. After installing SpyBot S&D, use Search for >updates to update the program and its file list, check items found. Change the >UniDo(Europe) download site to USA or Australia, then click Download update. >Click Check for problems to scan and when done, delete all items in red >found. Leave the non-red items for later. Advanced users can do additional cookie, >history list and Registry deleting with color=#110099>SpyBot later by using the other items. Be aware that >the Immunize function of SpyBot S&D can block your access to some Control >Panel functions in Windows. >name="Ad-Aware-Lavasoft"> > Another >good, free and easy to use Spyware-Adware remover is target="_blank">Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. It finds and >removes a large number of ADWare programs and Porn Dialers. Purchase version includes >real-time detecting and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at > >Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove Spyware-Adware. Be sure to check >for updates now before using every week. The first time you run it, you should >select the Custom scanning options and enable all checks that you can. If >any items are found, check them to remove them. Be sure to reboot when done if problems >were found. >name="DoxDisk"> > A quick check for Internet Explorer browser Hijackers can be done at target="_blank"> DoxDesk.com web site. If any are detected, then Ad-Aware or >SpyBot should be used to remove them. >name="Virus Scan"> > 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 target="_blank"> 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 target="_blank"> PC-cillin or target="_blank"> Symantec Removal Tools or target="_blank"> McAfee_AV sites for information on >the specific virus and removal tools and instructions. If HouseCall does not download >and run, try getting the Klez removal tool at target="_blank"> Symantec Removal Tools or target="_blank"> Stinger and make sure this virus is not on the system. Or try >the >Panda On-Line virus scan. >name="WINTOP tool"> > To understand >what tasks and programs are running on your machine, may be causing problems and >taking up the processor bandwidth, download target="_blank"> WinTop, one of the free Micro$oft Kernel Toys. It gives accurate >%CPU idle time and usage by program. You can also use the Windows ME System >Tools - System Information utility, expand "Software Environment" and look >at the "Running Tasks" and the "Loaded Modules", to find all programs running and >all programs, DLLs and Drivers loaded into memory. > Program Close Sound> > >To help make yourself aware of background processes ending or aborting, go to Control >Panel - Sounds and Multimedia Properties - Sounds tab and select the "Program >Close" event and enable one of the program close sounds, and Apply it. Now every >time a program closes or aborts you will hear the sound, and alert you to possible >problems you were not aware of. > >There is also a recommended update (patch) on the target="_blank">Windows UpDate for the Internet >Explorer navigation sound (click) that is needed to avoid random hangs when using >IE. >name="PCHealth-TaskMonitor"> > To make >Windows ME more stable and allow ScanDisk and Defrag to run without restarts, >it is important to remove two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause system >performance problems, hangs and restarts. 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 only collects system configuration >change information, for use in remote problem analysis by Enterprise Network $upport >desks. Is your company paying for that kind of remote 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. Programs will load a little faster, the disk drive >has to work less and Defrag and ScanDisk will not restart as often. >name=Firewall-Defrag> > Be aware, when a software FireWall logs hits it will do writes to the disk drive. >This will cause ScanDisk and Defrag to restart. To get around this problem you either >have to disable the firewall logging, disable the firewall during scans, unplug the >internet, or run them after booting into Safe Mode. >name="LexMark Lexpps"> > The LexMark >Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. >If not sharing Lexmark printer to the network, one of it's problem drivers can be >removed without effecting normal operation. 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 target="_blank"> AnswersThatWork - Lexpps.exe. Reboot >and test. In addition, for most LexMark printers, like the Z42, you can also remove >Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab list with RUN - MSCONFIG utility, (keep >LexmarkPrintTray). Test to see that removing it does not cause printer problems with >your model, other than slowing down initial printing of the first page. >name="System_RESTORE"> > 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 target="_blank"> 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 900MB (or less) of disk space to limit how >much of the drive it might use. Also change the "Typical role of this computer:" >to the Network Server option for better performance. - - Make sure system >is up to date on the color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site, as there is an old fix for System >Restore not working. >name="Automatic Updates"> > If system slowdowns 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, hangs, or the >mouse to freeze for 3 seconds every five minutes. 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. Use the color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site to update manually. On the Windows >Update site, there is an update for the Automatic Update program. Make sure you install >this update, and then go back to the Control Panel and Turn off automatic updating >again. Trying to do automatic updates in the background can kill Dial-up performance, >so you have to disable automatic updates in both places. > Next go to Control >Panel - Add/Remove Programs and look for "Critical Update Notification". If >found, Remove it. See target="_blank"> AnswersThatWork - WUCrtUpd.exe. It >can cause your system to check the Windows Update site every five minutes when online. >name="NetCrawl"> > >Slow system performance just after booting up and/or just after connecting to the >Internet or a Network can be caused by the default setting for NetCrawl. NetCrawl >is a Windows ME feature that searches for Network Shares of servers and printers. >See > MS_Q256248. If not connected to a network or if you >never connect to a network server or printer, this function can be disabled. See >color=#0000BB> MS_276322 or in "My Network Place", Tools, Folder Options, >View tab, un-check the "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and >click "Apply". This setting can require you to manually connect to local network >resources. >name="Fast Find"> > >If you have MicroSoft's Office installed and have slow disk access problems, use > >Kill Fast Find MS_158704 procedure to disable the problem causing Fast Find >function, and leave it that way. >name="WinMgMt"> > If system slows down and System Resources drop after running System Information >or HELP, check Task Manger (Alt-Ctrl-Del) for WinMGMT running. Or if you use >Adobe Reader to view a PDF document from inside IE and exit, check for ACCORD32.exe >still running. Use Task Manager or WINTOP to select Winmgmt or ACCORD32 and End Task. >They do not always exit when they should. >name="Power Management"> > >If your system hangs while you are a way from it, it could be due to default Power >Management settings, which are a problem with Windows ME. To disable Hibernate, >in Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate tab, uncheck the "Enable hibernate support" >option. Then on the Power Schemes tab, make sure the "System Stand by" option is >set to Never. It is also recommended that you go into the systems BIOS CMOS >Settings and under Power Management Setup disable "ACPI function" and "PM control >by APM". >name="Update Drivers"> > It >is important to update all your hardware device drivers with the newest Windows ME >specific drivers. (System board chip set, Video adapter, Ethernet card, modem, sound, >Printer, etc.) The default Windows ME drivers are too old and do not work with new >adapters. Often the drivers that come with older adapters or system boards have bugs >and are not Windows ME specific. Use Device Manager and System Information tool to >help identify chip sets used and their ID numbers. > > Reaktek has released >updates for their Ethernet Network adapters that fix a random shutdown hang problem. > VIA Tech provides >its Hyperion 4in1 system board drivers and AC'97 sound driver updates for system >boards with VIA chip sets. > >INTEL for INTEL chip set boards. > System board vendor for SIS chip set systems. > nVidia >or ATI for their >video graphics adapter drivers. > ROXIO >ECDC/Direct-CD or NERO for >CD-RW burner updates. > Agere Systems for latest target="_blank"> Lucent/Agere LT WinModem driver. > >name="Shutdown Problems"> > If you still have >random hangs and shutdown problems, and all else has failed to help, try using Micro$ofts >procedures for trouble shooting target="_blank"> Windows ME Shutdown Problems. >name="DELINDEX"> > >Security: > > 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. Make a Windows ME Start up diskette in Control Panel, Add/Remove >Programs icon, Startup Disk tab. Be aware that recent versions of McAfee AV will >automatically delete the DELINDEX.BAT file! >name="Security"> > To >improve Security and help protect your system from Trojans and Worms; > > 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, then Restart system. > Go to the color=#0000BB>Windows UpDate site and download the Security updates >for Windows ME and IE. > When upgrading to Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or Direct-X 9.0b with Dial-Up, download >package from target="_blank"> Download Center first to a work folder, then reboot into Safe >Mode and do the install to avoid problems. > Go to GRC.com and run > Shields UP >tests. Read about security there and try to follow advice on target="_blank">closing your ports. > After closing ports, if broadband Internet connection, consider getting a router >with Firewall or a software firewall program like target="_blank"> ZoneAlarm. > Remember to update your Anti Virus and Spyware programs every week! > Additional security and Firewall testing, worm and trojan information can be >found at PC Flank.com. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... 2004/1/16 Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 4:14 pm Posted by Jack Gulley (5917 messages posted) That could be power or power supply problems, over heating processor, or any number of different software problems with some of the installed programs. I have several systems running Windows ME hooked to a local Network that often run for months before I reboot them to make software changes. Of course I have a UPS unit on them so that power glitches don't cause problems. If your problem is cause by hardware, then XP Pro (skip XP Home Edition) will have problems too. Of course, you will be forced to replace some of your applications with newer ones that will work better, and reload most programs that will clear up corruption from problems with disk drives. [Reply or follow-up to this message] Windows ME Fixes... 2004/2/18 Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 4:24 pm Posted by Jack Gulley (5917 messages posted) Windows ME Fixes By: ..Jack Gulley.. Actually, Windows ME is very stable (well can be) if you remove a few default software modules, clean up your disk drive, remove any/all Spyware_AD-ware, browser hijackers, virus, worms and trojans, then update all device drivers, install all Windows UpDates and make sure your hardware is OK. It is recommended that all items be checked and changed in the sequence listed. Reboot and check after each of the changes. Some changes will leave unused work files on the disk drive, but most of these will be removed when you run the DELINDEX.bat clean up program. INDEX Hardware problems Memory hardware problems More than 512 MB SYSTEM.INI changes Clearing PnP/PCI BIOS settings Disk drive errors - ScanDisk Windows ME Software fixes Slowdown and hang problems Run SCANDISK Disk Clean Up utility Spyware/Adware/Browser hijack information CWShredder - Remove CoolWebSearch browser hijack SpyBot Search & Destroy Lavasoft's Ad-Aware removal tool Quick browser HiJack check OnLine Free OnLine Virus scans WinTop Task Manager tool Windows Update and program sounds Removing PCHealth and TaskMonitor SSDPSRV and Firewall restart Defrag Remove LexMark LEXPPS module Slow downs due to System Restore Disable Automatic updates Disable NetCrawl Disable Fast Find WinMgMt and ACCORD32 problems Power Management - Hibernate problems Updating Device Drivers Removing work files with DELINDEX.bat System security Resolving Shutdown Problems Hardware problems Memory hardware problems: First make sure your system memory (RAM) is OK. For example: memory failures can cause random program hanging symptoms. Or if you are overclocking and there is a random failure problem. This can happen without you realizing it on most system boards running Windows. So you must test memory outside of Windows. Memory problems can also result in program files on the disk being corrupted during a Defrag. Use the system board BIOS CMOS Setup function to set memory values to default settings, and the CL setting to 3 (unless you know for a fact all your memory is rated CL=2). Setting the memory DRAM Timings to "Turbo" or "Fast" instead of the "Normal" setting can also cause problems. Run a standalone memory test from a DOS boot diskette. Get MemTest86_v3.0 and/or DocMemory_v2.0, and make their boot diskettes. You should be able to run their memory tests for at least 12 hours without errors to test your hardware, before you suspect Windows ME is the cause of reboot or hang problems. More than 512 MB memory, SYSTEM.INI changes: If a Windows ME system has more than 512MB of RAM, then to work around a design bug in the vcache management, per MS_253912, 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 MS_304943 to limit Windows ME to using just 1GB of physical RAM: [386Enh] MaxPhysPage=40000 You do NOT need any memory managers or Optimizers with Windows ME. It already has the best you can get (without switching to Windows XP Pro). Let Windows manage your virtual memory (default). Never set a Maximum size! See System Resources and Memory Management_vcache for additional information on Windows ME memory and vcache management. Clearing PnP/PCI Configuration: When rebooting, random hangs with a blank screen after the initial Windows ME Splash screen can be caused by the system board's BIOS Plug and Play configuration data (DMI) being corrupted or wrong for the current hardware configuration due to hardware changes or failures. To clear the DMI data, enter the system board's BIOS CMOS Setup utility (normally the DEL key during the Power On Self Test). Go to the PnP/PCI Configurations section and Enable the Reset Configuration Data option. Save the setup and exit. BIOS will rebuild the DMI Configuration table. This type of hang can be caused by failing hardware, back level or corrupted device drivers, and USB cables that are defective or too long. Using the boot menu Bootlog option several times and then looking at the hidden C:\BOOTLOG.TXT file can often help identify what hardware is causing the problem. Disk drive errors: Windows Exception errors {0D: - 0E:} and system slowdowns or stalls can sometimes be caused by damaged disk drives. Powering off a system while it is writing to the disk can can sometimes cause damage to the permanent address marks and sync fields. This can result in read/write errors that slow down the system or corrupt programs or data. Running ScanDisk in thorough mode or FORMAT often will flag these areas as bad. If you suspect this type of error on the disk drive, you need to run the disk drive manufactures quality check program. These run from standalone boot diskettes. If the drive is damaged, the only way to fix it is to use these utilities to do a LOW LEVEL FORMAT of the drive. Often recovers full use of the drive, as there is really nothing wrong with it. This process will of course erase everything on the drive and you will have to run FDISK and FORMAT before installing the Windows Operating System and your applications and data again. Running ScanDisk in thorough mode several times can bypass most of these errors and recover the data, making the disk drive usable. But if the problems come back, it is time to check the quality of the disk drive with a manufactures utility. Some will allow different types of Low Level Format operations to correct problems, but risk losing all data. Backup your drive first! Quality check and Low Level Format utilities: Samsung - HUTIL IBM and Hitachi - Drive Fitness Test Compaq - Use system Diagnostics Quality check only: Maxtor and Quantum - PowerMax Seagate - SeaTools Desktop Western Digital - Data Lifeguard Gateway - GWSCAN 5.07 or GWSCAN 3.15 Use these diskettes only if you understand what you are doing! Windows ME Software fixes 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, update Windows ME with security fixes, and then remove some unnecessary programs. First, run ScanDisk in thorough mode, 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. MS Info. 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. The first time you run it, select the "Downloaded Program Files" line, click View button, and manually removed all "objects" shown, in case one of these plug-ins are back level and causing problems. They will download again if required. Information on Spyware and Browser Hijack removal tools, prevention tools, links and forums can be found at SpywareInfo. You can get help identifying new hijackers, related programs and current news. A major problem today is new and rapid changing Browser Hijackers. Check for and remove the newest of these with the CoolWebSearch Browser Hijack removal tool. OPEN CWshredder.exe by Merijn. Close all Internet Explorer windows and then click Fix. When done, reboot your system and run it again. - This program has updates almost every week. - VBRun60 required on older versions of Windows. - Some Browser Hijackers prevent you from accessing SpywareInfo sites through additions to the Windows\HOSTS file. In that case, use different browser, or a working system to download the small CWshredder.exe program to a diskette or from MajorGeeks and run it on the infected system. Next, and most important step, is to install the SpyBot Search_&_Destroy tool for deleting Spyware/AD-ware and Browser hijackers. Read about this type of Malware at Spyware_etc. Malware comes hidden in "free" software, like KaZaA and Internet Accelerators, and can corrupt or slow down your system. Or can be installed by some hijack web pages that hijack your browser settings. After installing SpyBot S&D, use Search for updates to update the program and its file list, check items found. Change the UniDo(Europe) download site to USA or Australia, then click Download update. Click Check for problems to scan and when done, delete all items in red found. Leave the non-red items for later. Advanced users can do additional cookie, history list and Registry deleting with SpyBot later by using the other items. Be aware that the Immunize function of SpyBot S&D can block your access to some Control Panel functions in Windows. Another good, free and easy to use Spyware-Adware remover is Lavasoft's_Ad-Aware. It finds and removes a large number of ADWare programs and Porn Dialers. Purchase version includes real-time detecting and blocking of Spyware-Adware. Download the free version at Ad-Aware_6 to scan for and remove Spyware-Adware. Be sure to check for updates now before using every week. The first time you run it, you should select the Custom scanning options and enable all checks that you can. If any items are found, check them to remove them. Be sure to reboot when done if problems were found. A quick check for Internet Explorer browser HiJackers can be done at DoxDesk.com web site. If any are detected, then Ad-Aware or SpyBot should be used to remove them. 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. If HouseCall does not download and run, try getting the Klez removal tool at Symantec Removal Tools or Stinger and make sure this virus is not on the system. Or try the Panda On-Line virus scan. 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 idle time and usage by program. You can also use the Windows ME System Tools - System Information utility, expand "Software Environment" and look at the "Running Tasks" and the "Loaded Modules", to find all programs running and all programs, DLLs and Drivers loaded into memory. To help make yourself aware of background processes ending or aborting, go to Control Panel - Sounds and Multimedia Properties - Sounds tab and select the "Program Close" event and enable one of the program close sounds, and Apply it. Now every time a program closes or aborts you will hear the sound, and alert you to possible problems you were not aware of. There is also a recommended update (patch) on the Windows UpDate for the Internet Explorer navigation sound (click) that is needed to avoid random hangs when using IE. While there, install all of the Security updates for ME and IE and the Critical updates. (You can skip the Windows Media Player 9, the .NET and the Multi-Language Features updates.) To make Windows ME more stable and allow ScanDisk and Defrag to run without restarts, it is important to remove two Windows ME Startup tasks that often cause system performance problems, hangs and restarts. 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 only collects system configuration change information, for use in remote problem analysis by Enterprise Network $upport desks. Is your company paying for that kind of remote 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. Programs will load a little faster, the disk drive has to work less and Defrag and ScanDisk will not restart as often. Be aware, when a software FireWall logs hits it will do writes to the disk drive. This will cause ScanDisk and Defrag to restart. To get around this problem you either have to disable the firewall logging, disable the firewall during scans, unplug the internet, or run them after booting into Safe Mode. Remove SSDPSRV which slows down the system and leaves port 1900 and 5000 open, as part of Universal Plug and Play. Go to Start - Settings - Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs - Windows Setup tab - select Communications - Details - and un-check "Universal Plug and Play". Click OK, OK, then Restart system. It also causes random hangs and slowdowns when connected the Internet or a Network. It can also be remove by un checking its entry in the Startup list. The LexMark Z, A & P series printer drivers cause random program and shutdown hangs. If not sharing Lexmark printer to the network, one of it's problem drivers can be removed without effecting normal operation. 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. Reboot and test. In addition, for most LexMark printers, like the Z42, you can also remove Lexstart.exe from the Startup tab list with RUN - MSCONFIG utility, (keep LexmarkPrintTray). Test to see that removing it does not cause printer problems with your model, other than slowing down initial printing of the first page. 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 900MB (or less) of disk space to limit how much of the drive it might use. Also change the "Typical role of this computer:" to the Network Server option for better performance. - - Make sure system is up to date on the Windows UpDate site, as there is an old fix for System Restore not working. If system slowdowns 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, hangs, or the mouse to freeze for 3 seconds every five minutes. 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. Use the Windows UpDate site to update manually. On the Windows Update site, there is an update for the Automatic Update program. Make sure you install this update, and then go back to the Control Panel and Turn off automatic updating again. Trying to do automatic updates in the background can kill Dial-up performance, so you have to disable automatic updates in both places. Next go to Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs and look for "Critical Update Notification". If found, Remove it. See AnswersThatWork - WUCrtUpd.exe. It can cause your system to check the Windows Update site every five minutes when online. Slow system performance just after booting up and/or just after connecting to the Internet or a Network can be caused by the default setting for NetCrawl. NetCrawl is a Windows ME feature that searches for Network Shares of servers and printers. See MS_Q256248. If not connected to a network or if you never connect to a network server or printer, this function can be disabled. See MS_276322 or in "My Network Place", Tools, Folder Options, View tab, un-check the "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and click "Apply". This setting can require you to manually connect to local network resources. If you have MicroSoft's Office installed and have slow disk access problems, use Kill Fast Find MS_158704 procedure to disable the problem causing Fast Find function, and leave it that way. If system slows down and System Resources drop after running System Information or HELP, check Task Manger (Alt-Ctrl-Del) for WinMGMT running. Or if you use Adobe Reader to view a PDF document from inside IE and exit, check for ACCORD32.exe still running. Use Task Manager or WINTOP to select Winmgmt or ACCORD32 and End Task. They do not always exit when they should. If your system hangs while you are a way from it, it could be due to default Power Management settings, which are a problem with Windows ME. To disable Hibernate, in Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate tab, uncheck the "Enable hibernate support" option. Then on the Power Schemes tab, make sure the "System Stand by" option is set to Never. It is also recommended that you go into the systems BIOS CMOS Settings and under Power Management Setup disable "ACPI function" and "PM control by APM". It is important to update all your hardware device drivers with the newest Windows ME specific drivers. (System board chip set, Video adapter, Ethernet card, modem, sound, Printer, etc.) The default Windows ME drivers are too old and do not work with new adapters. Often the drivers that come with older adapters or system boards have bugs and are not Windows ME specific. Use Device Manager and System Information tool to help identify chip sets used and their ID numbers. Reaktek has released updates for their Ethernet Network adapters that fix a random shutdown hang problem. NIC drivers for 3Com, LinkSys. VIA Tech provides Hyperion 4in1 system board drivers, NIC and AC'97 sound driver updates for boards with VIA chip sets. INTEL for INTEL chip set boards. System board vendor for SIS chip set systems. nVidia, S3 or ATI for their video graphics adapter drivers. Sound cards - Creative, ESS. ROXIO ECDC/Direct-CD or NERO for CD-RW burner updates. Conexant chipset modems - Give up, buy a decent cheap modem. Agere Systems for latest Lucent/Agere LT WinModem driver. DelINDEX.bat: 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. Make a Windows ME Start up diskette in Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs icon, Startup Disk tab. Be aware that recent versions of McAfee AV will automatically delete the DELINDEX.BAT file! While at that site, look over some more radical suggestions, links and Windows ME - How To's at Burzurq.com. System Security Improve Security and protect system from Worms and Trojans: Go to the Windows UpDate site and download the Security updates and Critical updates for Windows ME and IE. When upgrading to Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or Direct-X 9.0b with Dial-Up, download package from Download Center first to a work folder, then reboot into Safe Mode and do the install to avoid problems. Remove SSDPSRV. Remove Windows Messaging or WinPopUp to prevent Network PopUp messages. Start - Settings - Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs - Windows Setup tab - select System Tools - Details - and un-check "WinPopup". Then make sure the Compressed Folders option is checked. This option supports ZIP folders and allows you to avoid Spyware/Malware that comes with some ZIP programs. Click OK, OK, then Restart system. Go to GRC.com and run Shields UP tests. Read about security there and try to follow advice on closing your ports. After closing ports, if broadband Internet connection, consider getting a router with Firewall, or a software firewall program like ZoneAlarm. Remember to update your Anti Virus and Spyware scan programs every week! Additional security and Firewall testing, worm and trojan information can be found at PC Flank.com. Beating a Dead Horse If you still have random hangs and shutdown problems, and all else has failed to help, try using Micro$ofts procedures for trouble shooting Windows ME Shutdown Problems. End [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... 2004/1/16 Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 4:33 pm Posted by Jack Gulley (5917 messages posted) First, welcome to the forum. I hope you find the information useful and use it to help others. If you spend time reading through these forums every day you will learn a lot. Most of the problems are not problems with Windows ME, but problems caused by other programs, hardware and program corruption. The purpose of the list of fixes started out to be a list of fixes for common problems with Windows ME, but it has turned into a "how to clean up ADware/Virus/etc..." Second. When you post in response to a question, please erase the prior message in the box before you type yours. HTML is used to format your entry and this messes up any material from the prior post. So mark it and "Cut" it out, except for any short sections you need to refer to. The preferred format is to use HTML through the "QuickLink" for format messages, and reserve the "preserve your spacing" for special cases. This will require you to learn a little basic HTML like starting a paragraph with a "paragraph brake" HTML command (a P with angle brackets around it. Check out the QuickLink below the box, and formating options. This way people can set their browser to any size window and the text will re-flow to fit, instead of them having to scroll it side to side to read your notes. When you use the "preserve your spacing" option, it forces all other notes to be reformated you your longest line length. As for DEFRAG and SCANDISK restarting. That is because other programs are running in the background and causing the restarts. The Windows ME Fixes addresses some of these problems, by removing most of these Windows programs, and the Spyware type programs that may be also running. Micro$oft recommends booting into Safe Mode. But if you do all of the Windows ME fixes, then normally the only thing that will be doing writes will be your firewall program, and this can be stopped by disconnecting from the Internet while you run these programs. Recommend you use the newer version of the Windows ME Fixes uploaded today. See: NEW Windows ME Fixes It has a few new additions and an INDEX that can jump you to the selected topic. Once there, use the "BACK" button to jump back to the index. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Windows ME Fixes... 2004/1/16 Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 11:40 pm Posted by lupino (7 messages posted) Thank you! :) for the following... tips on using this message board! advice about hibernating PC which seems to be working fine now! New Fixes for Windows Me! Thanx '-) [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows Me Discussion Forum