Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 21351 2002-06-23 12:29:00 Win ME problems Waldorf (471) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
56778 2002-06-23 12:29:00 I run Win Me on an HP6726. My start menu is pruned to the bone for ME and starts only security applications, but still takes well over 2 minutes to grind into life. Isn't this too long?
I've tweaked and fiddled where I can without improvement. Any ideas?

Over recent weeks I have had a 25% failure rate on shutdown, being left with the last grey Dos screen with a blinking but dead cursor. Whats my problem - can we blame it on Microsoft?
Waldorf (471)
56779 2002-06-23 12:39:00 Sure! I blame a lot on micro$oft . After all, most PC's these days are optimised for M$ operating systems . Take the new Athlon XP processor - why do you think it's called XP?

Anyway, the first step is to be sure your hard drive is well defragged - see if you can get a third party defragger . Although the defrag in ME is better than previous, it's not perfect .

Secondly, run your system config (SCU) to check for start-up programs: they're not all in the start-up folder . You'll find the system configurator under Start-> Programs-> Accessories -> System tools-> system information . There's a menu in that program that will show System Configuration Utility .
Elwin Way (229)
56780 2002-06-23 13:00:00 Hi Elwin

Done the defrag and made a fairly extensive study of minimal start up requirements, I found good info on the net such as at
www2.whidbey.net . Check out start up problems.

Still unsure what is acceptable for start up time.
Waldorf (471)
56781 2002-06-23 13:15:00 if its still got the standard ram then upgrade the ram. another 128 will do nicely tweak'e (174)
56782 2002-06-23 13:16:00 Well, I run 98 on a PI 233 with 32Mb Ram. (My other PC? I don't have an other PC!)

Typically it takes 5 minutes to boot, with Zone Alarm, PopupAd Filter, and McAffee antivrus 6. The antivirus takes the longest at about 3.5 mins - reasonable since it does a scan before the PC is ready for work.

I have timed a 20 second boot-up time on a slower PC - Windows 98 and nothing in the startup. Even the autoexec.bat and config.sys was stripped!

At least the 5 minutes gives me enough time to make a cuppa before I start for the day :D
Elwin Way (229)
56783 2002-06-23 13:40:00 I've got ME and it takes about 30 seconds max to crank up but I've gone through and tweaked a few bits and pieces to speed up the process. Have a look at this site and follow the tips..... content.techweb.com this is a site done by fred Langa who is a very reputable source when it comes to computers so I Suggest a good read dipstick01 (445)
56784 2002-06-23 22:09:00 Firstly Windows ME was a disaster and should never have been put in the market. Second Throw your HP away, and get a REAL Computer.

:D
NathanTheKind (472)
56785 2002-06-23 23:10:00 Very unkind (nathantheunkind?)

But tempting??

Seriously, I ran ME on 3 machines (2 were HP, 1 Toshiba) and it was fine. Reboot 3 times daily to fix resource problems.
I used MSconfig (start-run-msconfig) and stopped any unneccessary processes, used McAffee antivirus.
With a normal functioning machine, a shutdown would occur within 10 seconds of request if all was well, that appeared to be a good indicator of wellness.
Never timed a startup but it was dominated by antivirus activity, so your mileage may vary anyway and suspect its highly dependent on things like number of files in directories etc..

Now use XP, good stability, however I repeat that ME was not a disaster for me, very useable
godfather (25)
56786 2002-06-23 23:26:00 Nathan

I appreciate ME is a bit of a granny machine with all its "helpful" add ons and that HP is marketed for the masses but I only want a home computer, I don't need massive computing power. Your obvious contempt reminds me of the Ford/ Holden debate - it's personal opinion.
With more demanding needs, I probably would share your view.
Waldorf (471)
1