Windows ME Problem

Question

Hello all, I have a Dell 8200 with 512MB RDRAM, 100GB Hard Drive with Windows ME. I'm having a problem with Windows ME, I think. On all the windows that I open up on my computer there are numbers and letters in the boxes. In the right hand upper corner where the Minimize (0), Maximize (1), and Close (r) are these numbers and letters appear in the boxes. I have the number 6 next to the back in the upper left corner and the letter p in the lower right corner. All of my fonts on the desktop icons changed as well, very small. Ran all of Norton System Works 2003 including virus scans, tried system restore, and spyware removal. Nothing has worked. Please help. Close to throwing it out the window

Flooby · Answer

A Registry Restore fixed that for the last user I saw with similar problems.  See the link below for instructions. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221512&Product=winme

confusedME · Answer

Tried the registry restore but it did not work. The working registry only went back to March 3. My son tells me this computer has had this problem for almost two weeks. I tried repairing the registry as well, but it didn't work. Thanks for the help and any other help you can give me.

Flooby · Answer

The only other thing I can think of that might be worth a try (and it's recommended only as a temporary fix) would be to perform a dirty installation (i.e., reinstalling ME over the top of the existing installation) of the OS, using the Reinstall Guide for that system as instructions.  Given the comparatively frail nature of Win9x operating systems (which include Windows ME), the only other likely cure will be a format and new installation of your operating system.  If I was going to have to go to that length, I would seriously consider investing in a copy of Windows XP and installing that instead, as it is far superior to WinME, particularly on a Dimension 8200. Message Edited by Flooby on 03-09-2004 09:11 AM

jimbourg8 · Answer

This last person before me has the right idea....................Do a clean install after deleting your Hard Drive..............

thats drastic but better than continuously trying to feret out those kinds of problems.........AND the best solution was to install Win XP to your system............I had WinME and chucked if for WinXP Home about 4 months ago ( I had prblems similar to yours ).............and so far I have been happy with XP..............unfotunately I had endured WIN ME for over 3 years !!! Its got to be the worst OS Microsoft had presented !! Good luck !

confusedME · Answer

My computer went nuts a few days ago. I'm back on now but still need to change to WinXP. I have some drivers and software updates to get and then I will try the change. I hope it all goes well. Thank you to Flooby and jimbourg8 for your help.

osprey4 · Answer

You're definitely on the right track, moving to XP. Good luck.

dacure123 · Answer

I'm not sure if you fixed your problem or not, but it seems the symptoms you have are the same thing that occurs with Microsoft Internet Explorer when there is LOW MEMORY available, and the screen is closer to freezing, etc..  Perhaps your issue is in your short-term RAM memory configurations?  You have the memory, but perhaps a Memory option is not set properly for Windows ME?

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