I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade from Windows ME to Windows XP Home Edition. The reason is ever since I've had this computer Win Me has had the aggrevating tendency to freeze up for no apparent reason.

It's usually when I'm on the net using IE happily clicking away when Windows takes it's ball and doesn't want to play anymore. Ctrl, Alt, Del shows program not responding and sometimes I get the dreaded blue screen of death, the only thing to do is reboot.

Sometimes its when I'm cold booting, Windows starts to load, I get to the desktop and when it gets to where Norton's icon should be showing up it freezes. Again I have to reboot and wait for the scan disk utility to do it's thing. Sometime I go weeks without any of this happening then it will happen several time a day.

So my Norton will be expiring in Sept. and rather than load the new one on this platform I thought I might try XP as I have heard it is more stable. Is this true? I would like those with XP to let me know.

WHen I got my first computer, it had Windows ME installed. I didn't get exactly the same errors that you were having, although I, too, decied that I should perhaps upgrade to Windows XP. I must say that Windows XP is far more stable for me, and so I think you should upgrade to this system. If you are willing to wait though, there is yet another version of windows, called Longhorn, coming out in the year of 2006. It's supposed to be completely rewritten, so it is most likely going to be the most stable.
If you are looking for a REALLY stable system though, I would definitely recomennd downloading Linux. I have personally only tried knoppix, but if you are willing to try out a completely new operating system, I recomend you download Red Hat. The current version, the last time I checked, was 9, and you may find it here, along with all of the other distros. If you would need any help as how to install these systems, let me know.

Here is the site:
http://www.linuxiso.org/

One last detail. You mentioned that you sometimes receive the Blue Screen of Death. Well, even though this is mostly caused by errors, in many cases, malicious hackers are able to overload your computer, and thus cause you a blue screen of death. I am sure this is most likely not the case, but if you would like tips on how to prevent such attacks from happening on your computer, you can ask me any time. Good luck,

Also, I STRONGLY recommend that you do not use IE, at least not until the long awaited SP2 (Service Pack 2) comes out. Although even then, SP2 is only for Windows XP, and since you still have ME, it is another reason to upgrade to XP. For a browser, I recommend you use Mozilla Firefox 0.9.3 (That's the most current version) It has a built in pop-up blocker and has other advanced features, which Internet Explorer doesn't have. You may find it here:

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

With Regards,
Codelock

Thanks Codelock

I will check into everything you mentioned, although I am not a great lover of Microsoft I will probably stick to Windows. I think my old brain is not into learning an entirely new platform. I will look into the new browser though. Thanks again.

XP is an improvement on Windows ME but some consideration has to be given to the computer it's going to run on. Processor speed and the amount of memory the computer has will make a difference to how successful an upgrade would be.

Microsoft recommend a processor speed of 300MHz or better (233MHz absolute minimum), 128MB of RAM (64 MB absolute minimum) and around a 1.5Gb hard disk. I'd say that the processor and RAM recommendations are on the low side though. An 800MHz processor and 512 Mb of RAM would be more like it in my opinion. It will run on less but might seem a bit sluggish. In general, the better the computer specifications are the better XP will like it.

If your computer is up to running XP, I'm sure you would find it better and more stable. I believe we have some members here who are using Windows ME successfully but it has to be said that the general trend of opinions on this OS seems to be that it isn't particularly good. I found Windows 98 SE to be much better and used it up until a recent computer and operating system upgrade (went to XP Pro on a fast computer).

There is always the option of trying to get your present set-up running better. Excessive freezing up and the blue screen of death can often be cured by formatting the hard disk and reinstalling the software. Have you ever done that before? I found that Windows 98 definitely benefited from having that done every now and again. This would also be the case with ME. There tends to be a build up of dross on these operating systems after a while that can end up causing various errors. If all the usual computer maintenance steps won't stop them occurring, then a disk format and a fresh start is often the answer.

A bit there to consider anyway

Thanks for the info TW
My system has a 1.2 G processor (does that sound right? This is from the spec sheet my vendor gave me when I bought it) and 256 Ram 40 G harddrive.

I have reformated my drive once since I got the system and it did work well for a while but not long enough to make it worth the effort to do it again.

I think I shall when the time comes upgrade.

That all sounds OK. Doubling up on the amount of RAM, although not essential, would be beneficial to the smooth running of the operating system and the programs running on it.

Hope all goes well with the upgrade. We're here to try and help should it be necessary.

I was a very satisfied 2000 pro user and went kicking and screaming to XP when I bought a new computer earlier this year, I wouldn't go back now from XP.

My only complaint with XP is that some of my periferals didn't like it, or should I say it didn't like them but that will be something you get whenever you do an upgrade.

What did amaze me is that my treasured WordPerfect 6.1 which I cannot work without at the office, I love it, actually installed and works perfectly with XP, it dates from 1995.

Good point Sue. argus - Make sure you download and save to CD the XP drivers that support your printer, scanner etc. Visit the manufacturers websites to download them.

Will Do, TW sure is nice to have friends so willing and able to help.Will let you know when I'm ready to upgrade how it's going, probably in early Sept.

I had my old PC on this network running Windows ME and it was causing no end of bother... put XP on it (and it's right on the bottom end of the PC specs to run it) and it's running like a dream - only ever really use it for internet when friends come round tho. That is on a 500mhz, 256mb memory comp.

I used to have WinME running without any problems whatsoever. Can't remember why, but at some point I decided to format my hard drive and re-install WinME. BIG mistake!! It never ran smoothly ever again, but I didn't give up, unwilling to surrender to my brother, who kept trying to convince me to install XP. Finally I gave in, and that was a very wise thing to do! I use XP Pro now and at times I've left my PC running non-stop for over a week, didn't encounter any problems at all!

One thing though. The looks of XP are very different from ME/98/95, which takes some getting used to. Either that, or you can use the option to change the looks back to the "old" versions. XP very much tries to help the PC user, which I found very annoying. If I want to search for a file on my hard disk I just want to type in the file name and don't want to go through some wizard kind of thingie that XP thinks is easier for me. But, also that can be changed in the settings! Phew. So, if I were you I'd switch to XP, but don't let the new looks scare you, they can be changed.

Thanks Leau, I'm expecting a change when I do upgrade, they say a change is as good as a rest. We'll see about that!

I have window XP Pro on my new computer. I was surprised at the easy of changing from 98 on my old machine. Looks is a bit different, some features are slightly different. I have yet to find a desk top button on my bottom panel, which I used to launch programs from. But the most used programs are on my start bar now, which 98 did not have.
My Office 97 works great, but not my MGI photo Suite 8.0. I can even use some old dos programs that are on my old HD. Old CD software is the only thing that shakes My XP.. and makes it reboot.
I have heard XP addresses the memory reserve issue from past Windows that required rebooting regularly. Tho I seem to be rebooting about once a week anyway as the automatic updates are loaded by XP and call for it.
I guess it keeps my system pretty well protected. I have not had to installed a pop up blocker, and my search engine has not been hijacked, tho I have visited a couple of sites that tried.
I think each windows series has taken more control, and most abused it..LOL
XP takes an even larger splice of control, but it does some amazing things with it. You still have access to the Registry and msconfig to check up on what is happening.
All and all I am impressed with the XP.
Jax

I would only make one rec - do not go to XP Home but to XP Pro - it may sound like a little difference but from all the people I know that have been using this OS for a long time now (including myself) XP Pro is much better and stable. I have no idea why, but we that are using Pro never had some issues people using Home experienced and they all switched by now.

I bought XP Pro because I also had read that it was more stable (meaning less prone to hang-ups and errors I suppose). I wonder about that though. I know a number of people who are using the Home Edition quite happily without any problems. XP Pro has some extra features that may never be used by an average home user, so perhaps it is a bit more than most people need.

Well I had Home first and then switched to Pro and it is more stable for me. On the other hand I use some rather demanding programs, that have a tendency to crash as it is but it is rather good like this, can't complain.

It seems people have different experiences with XP Pro. Some had to reinstall the system after 6 months or less. I have had this one for over a year now and it is still ok, which is a surprise considering what I do with my computer. Although as I said, pretty much everyone who has used both versions said Pro is better (although to be truthful we are not exactly average home users) ... well it is Windows after all, we shouldn't be surprised at anything

Thanks for that link Martin, I have Pro in the office and Home at home, only because Home was preloaded when I bought the computer. I was wondering what I was missing out on, I have remote access to the office, so that can't be correct. None of the rest looks interesting to me so I will stick with Home - it hasn't crashed yet.

On my home computer, if I click All Programs, Accessories, Communications, I then have a list with Remote Access at the bottom.

Leau has it right I think. You can control your office PC from home if the office computer has XP Pro installed. However, it wouldn't work the other way round. You wouldn't be able to control your XP Home computer from the office. The Home version doesn't have the 'Remote Desktop' feature that XP Pro has.

I have been looking into the various editions of XP I can buy in Canada. XP Pro upgrade and XP Pro and XP Home Edition Upgrade and XP Home Edition. Of course for the upgrade editions you need a licensed edition of Windows ME etc. They range from $500.00 Canadian for XP Pro down to $150.00 Can for XP Home Edition Upgrade.

Is there any difference between the Upgrade editions and the full versions?

I'm not so keen on upgrading over the top of an existing OS. I think it's better to back up all your files and necessary information, then do a clean installation of the new software. It's maybe best to buy the full version of XP to do this. However, this should still be possible even if you buy an upgrade version. It's just that, if starting from scratch, the XP installation will ask you to insert your ME disk at sometime during the procedure (to check for upgrade eligibility).

I read that, for a clean XP installation, there's no need to format the disk before the upgrade, the installation procedure gives a 'clean install' option (accepting this will overwrite everything, so you'd need to back all your wanted files up to a CD or other media before choosing it). I'd personally take the option if given. Then build up your new working system on that.

Thanks TW

I agree a clean install is the best. I just found out that the store I bought my computer from will install a new OS for me at no charge just the cost of the software and their price isn't out of line.