regretting upgrade from ME to XP Home

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A couple of months ago I decided to upgrade because I was worried about
security issues if I continued to use ME. Wish I hadn't done it. I checked
the system requirements for this upgrade and thought I was OK, but evidently
not. My hard drive is way too full. In My Computer it says my C: drive
total size is 37.2 GB and free space is 2.72 GB. I've removed a bunch of old
email and docs, but it didn't help much. Ran Disk Cleanup. Disk is too full
to run Defrag. I think I even removed some of my virus and spyware software,
just trying to clear enough space to defrag. (Don't worry, the machine isn't
vulnerable. I'm using my work laptop at present and don't plan to get on the
internet again with my home machine until I can get this resolved.) I've
been reading, and reading, and reading in these discussion groups.....and now
I'm too scared to do anything else to it! At this point, if its still
possible, I think I'd rather just go back to ME. I have the reinstallation
CD that came with my computer, but I'm afraid I deleted ME files that I
shouldn't have. (I think I remember being asked about deleting ME files at
some point. Everything worked fine for weeks, so I may have done that. Sorry,
this was a while back and I just can't remember exactly.) My guess is that
I'd need a costly upgrade to make XP feasible. It might make better sense to
just buy a new machine.....but I really don't feel comfortable spending the $
right now (possible layoff looming). So...if I can go back to ME, that may
be best.

My system specs:
Dell Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.60 GHz, 128 MB RAM
floppy disk drive and CDROM

As you can probably tell, I know just enough to get myself in trouble, which
is exactly what I've done! I'd appreciate advice from the experts here, but
please "dummy it down" for me, or I won't get it! Thanks so much!

Melodie
 
Melodie said:
A couple of months ago I decided to upgrade because I was worried about
security issues if I continued to use ME. Wish I hadn't done it. I checked
the system requirements for this upgrade and thought I was OK, but evidently
not. My hard drive is way too full. In My Computer it says my C: drive
total size is 37.2 GB and free space is 2.72 GB. I've removed a bunch of old
email and docs, but it didn't help much. Ran Disk Cleanup. Disk is too full
to run Defrag. I think I even removed some of my virus and spyware software,
just trying to clear enough space to defrag. (Don't worry, the machine isn't
vulnerable. I'm using my work laptop at present and don't plan to get on the
internet again with my home machine until I can get this resolved.) I've
been reading, and reading, and reading in these discussion groups.....and now
I'm too scared to do anything else to it! At this point, if its still
possible, I think I'd rather just go back to ME. I have the reinstallation
CD that came with my computer, but I'm afraid I deleted ME files that I
shouldn't have. (I think I remember being asked about deleting ME files at
some point. Everything worked fine for weeks, so I may have done that. Sorry,
this was a while back and I just can't remember exactly.) My guess is that
I'd need a costly upgrade to make XP feasible. It might make better sense to
just buy a new machine.....but I really don't feel comfortable spending the $
right now (possible layoff looming). So...if I can go back to ME, that may
be best.

My system specs:
Dell Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.60 GHz, 128 MB RAM
floppy disk drive and CDROM

As you can probably tell, I know just enough to get myself in trouble, which
is exactly what I've done! I'd appreciate advice from the experts here, but
please "dummy it down" for me, or I won't get it! Thanks so much!

Melodie
Click to expand...

There is a better alternative to Windows ME and just about as good
as Windows XP HE and that is Windows 2000 Pro plus SP4. And adding
another 128 of RAM for a total of 256 MB would also be good for a
computer of this age.
 
A couple of months ago I decided to upgrade because I was worried about
security issues if I continued to use ME. Wish I hadn't done it. I checked
the system requirements for this upgrade and thought I was OK, but evidently
not. My hard drive is way too full.
Click to expand...


And you have nowhere near enough RAM.

In My Computer it says my C: drive
total size is 37.2 GB and free space is 2.72 GB. I've removed a bunch of old
email and docs, but it didn't help much. Ran Disk Cleanup. Disk is too full
to run Defrag. I think I even removed some of my virus and spyware software,
just trying to clear enough space to defrag.
Click to expand...



You might want to consider buying a second hard drive and moving a lot
of files to it. Your present drive is *very* small these days.

(Don't worry, the machine isn't
vulnerable. I'm using my work laptop at present and don't plan to get on the
internet again with my home machine until I can get this resolved.) I've
been reading, and reading, and reading in these discussion groups.....and now
I'm too scared to do anything else to it! At this point, if its still
possible, I think I'd rather just go back to ME.
Click to expand...


As a general rule, you can't uninstall an operating system. You have
to reformat the drive and install another operating system cleanly.

There's an exception to that, however. If you did an upgrade from
Windows 98 or Me, and took the option to save the previous operating
system and also did not convert your drive to NTFS, then you can find
an entry in Add/Remove Programs. Clicking on that will uninstall
Windows XP and revert to the previous operating system.

If there's no entry in Add/Remove Programs, then one or more of those
conditions wasn't met, and your only choice is to reformat and install
whatever operating system you want cleanly.

I have the reinstallation
CD that came with my computer, but I'm afraid I deleted ME files that I
shouldn't have.
Click to expand...


If you use the reinstallation CD, you'll be starting over, so what
files you deleted from the hard drive shouldn't be pertinent.

(I think I remember being asked about deleting ME files at
some point. Everything worked fine for weeks, so I may have done that. Sorry,
this was a while back and I just can't remember exactly.) My guess is that
I'd need a costly upgrade to make XP feasible.
Click to expand...


Depending on what type of RAM your computer uses, you should be able
to buy another stick of 128MB (for a total of 256MB) for under $50US.
And you can buy a 60-80HD for not much more than $50.

If I were in your shoes, I'd spend the $100 or so to upgrade those two
components, and you should be all right.
It might make better sense to
just buy a new machine.....but I really don't feel comfortable spending the $
right now (possible layoff looming). So...if I can go back to ME, that may
be best.

My system specs:
Dell Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.60 GHz,
Click to expand...


That's fine.

128 MB RAM
Click to expand...



Nowhere near enough. How much memory you need for decent performance
is not a one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the
amount of RAM you have keeps you from using the page file, and that
depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range of
business applications find that somewhere around 256-384MB works well,
others need 512MB. Almost anyone will see poor performance with less
than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things like editing
large photographic images, can see a performance boost by adding even
more than 512MB--sometimes much more.
 
Can you afford an additional Hard Drive? you could buy another of the same
size at a very low cost so you could install Windows ME or Windows 2000 on
it and migrate your files to lighten up the XP Drive. To make the
installation, you would need to install Windows (ME or 2000) on the drive
while plugged in the "Master" end of the IDE Cable and the old HD
disconnected.

You could get a new HD and a 256MB RAM module for clear under a $100. And
you would have a fully functional 384MB RAM dual installation.
 
Thanks, Ken. Your information is very helpful! (I posted a response
yesterday, but it hasn’t show up, so I must have done something wrong.) I
checked Add/Remove Programs. No luck there. So if I understand correctly, I
can backup my files and reinstall ME from CD, in order to get my machine
running again. (I’m really sick of hauling this heavy laptop back and forth
from work!) That will give me some time to buy and install the new HD and
RAM. Any suggestions on where I can look for specific instructions about how
to do this? Are there limitations on how much upgrading is possible with a
given machine?
Thanks so much!

Melodie
 
Thanks, Ken. Your information is very helpful!
Click to expand...


You're welcome. Glad to help.

(I posted a response
yesterday, but it hasn’t show up, so I must have done something wrong.) I
checked Add/Remove Programs. No luck there. So if I understand correctly, I
can backup my files and reinstall ME from CD, in order to get my machine
running again.

Sure.



(I’m really sick of hauling this heavy laptop back and forth
from work!) That will give me some time to buy and install the new HD and
RAM. Any suggestions on where I can look for specific instructions about how
to do this? Are there limitations on how much upgrading is possible with a
given machine?
Click to expand...


I hadn't realized this was a laptop. Laptops are much harder and more
expensive to upgrade than desktops, and there may *not* be room for a
second hard drive, as I suggested, and possibly not for extra RAM
either. You should check with your vendor.
 
Ken Blake said:
On Sun, 27 May 2007 04:59:01 -0700, Melodie

snip
snip

I hadn't realized this was a laptop. Laptops are much harder and more
expensive to upgrade than desktops, and there may *not* be room for a
second hard drive, as I suggested, and possibly not for extra RAM
either. You should check with your vendor.
Click to expand...

Hi Ken,

It's not a laptop. The machine she wants to downgrade or upgrade is her home
desktop, which she is not currently using. She's temporarily taking her laptop from
work home every night to have Internet access at home....at least that's what I got
from her posts. ;-)
 
I'm sorry, Ken, I guess I wasn't clear. The machine I'm upgrading is my own
desktop machine at home. I've been hauling the work laptop back and forth
from work only because my desktop is out of commission. So, your upgrade
recommendations are still valid. Now that we've got that straight, back to my
questions: Any suggestions on where I can look for specific instructions
about how
Thanks!

Melodie
 
OK, now I am a little cornfused.
If you plan to go back to WinME, you really don't need to add more RAM. WinME will
work fine with 128MB RAM....you do need to either clean off space on the hard drive
or get a bigger one, regardless.

You would need to add more RAM if you want to stay with XP.

With the amount of used space on the hard drive, it seems to me you ought to be able
to gain a lot of space by moving some of your data to CD or DVD. Do you have any
idea what is taking up all that space? It is certainly not programs or Windows
system files. I suspect it may be pictures, music files, documents and the
like....many of which can be archived to optical discs or an external hard drive, or
a second internal hard drive for storage.

I suggest getting either the freeware Scanner or the freeware DiskUsage for Windows
to see how your disk usage breaks down:
http://aumha.org/freeware/freeware.php#scanner
 
I'm sorry, Ken, I guess I wasn't clear. The machine I'm upgrading is my own
desktop machine at home. I've been hauling the work laptop back and forth
from work only because my desktop is out of commission.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the clarification (and thanks, Glee, for pointing it out).
Yes, I misread your message.


So, your upgrade
recommendations are still valid. Now that we've got that straight, back to my
questions: Any suggestions on where I can look for specific instructions
about how
Click to expand...


Adding RAM and adding a hard drive are both very easy. Perhaps the
best way to do these things the first time is to work with a friend
who has done them before. If you want a book, the enormous (and
expensive) volume "Upgrading and Repairing PCs" by Scott Mueller is
now in its 17th edition. It's the "bible" of this kind of book, but
it's probably overkill for you to buy. But you might want to see if
your local library or a friend has a copy you can borrow.

Also make sure you check your computers specs, and buy exactly the
same kind of RAM that's already installed. Also make sure your
computer has a free drive bay for installation of a second drive.

By the way, as Glee points out, you don't need the upgrades with ME.
You will need them only if you decide to go back to XP in the future.



Not really. You can replace every single component of the machine,
either one at a time, or all at once.

The only real issue is whether it makes economic sense to upgrade. If
you have to replace enough components, you might be better off just
buying a new computer. But in your case, adding RAM and a second drive
should be somewhere around $100, and probably makes sense to do if you
want to go to XP.
 
Melody said:
Any suggestions on where I can look for specific instructions about how
to do this? Are there limitations on how much upgrading is possible with
a given machine?
Click to expand...

To know your machine's upgrade limitations (or potential) install ASTRA32.
The motherboard is the fundamental component, knowing the make and model of
the motherboard you can search for information on it's full potential in the
maker's website.. but any motherboard has support for at least two
harddrives, and at least two memory modules and your's probably has only one
128MB module and room for another one.

Download ASTRA32 to know your computer's maximum RAM capacity (Look in DMI
Memory Info)
http://www.astra32.com/


-----------------------------------------------
 
Forgot to mention that you'll need to know the RAM memory characteristics so
you can buy a compatible module. ASTRA32 provides that information in "SPD
Memory Info".

You don't have to read all the following articles, but all of them have good
information to help you upgrade your computer.

Build Your Own PC (lots of good info)
http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step/7/

How to install an additional hard drive
http://www.basichardware.com/HowTo_Install_Hard_Drive.html

How To Install Internal & External Hard Drives
http://www.smartcomputing.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2004/w1510/07w02/07w02.asp

Add more memory to your computer
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/addmemory.mspx

Memory Module Physical Installation Procedure
http://www.pcguide.com/proc/physinst/ram-c.html

Install Memory (RAM), performing a RAM Upgrade, installing DIMMS
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/installing_dimm_memory_ram.htm

Memory Buying Guide
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/buying/hardware_buying_guide_ram_memory.htm

----------------------------------------------
 
OK, Ken. I think I've got it now! If I can't find that book, or something
similar, to refer to, there's always the option of bugging my brother for
help!
Glee pointed out that my hard drive shouldn't be this full. I had wondered
about that. I've been moving/deleting everything I can, but it hasn't helped
that much. There aren't any music or video files to blame, either. But if I
start all over with ME, will this problem be moot? TX!

Melodie
 
Thanks Ronaldo! I'll definitely check out these resources!
Melodie

Ronaldo said:
Forgot to mention that you'll need to know the RAM memory characteristics so
you can buy a compatible module. ASTRA32 provides that information in "SPD
Memory Info".

You don't have to read all the following articles, but all of them have good
information to help you upgrade your computer.

Build Your Own PC (lots of good info)
http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step/7/

How to install an additional hard drive
http://www.basichardware.com/HowTo_Install_Hard_Drive.html

How To Install Internal & External Hard Drives
http://www.smartcomputing.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2004/w1510/07w02/07w02.asp

Add more memory to your computer
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/addmemory.mspx

Memory Module Physical Installation Procedure
http://www.pcguide.com/proc/physinst/ram-c.html

Install Memory (RAM), performing a RAM Upgrade, installing DIMMS
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/installing_dimm_memory_ram.htm

Memory Buying Guide
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/buying/hardware_buying_guide_ram_memory.htm

----------------------------------------------
Click to expand...
 
Another thing that can take up a lot of room on a drive is System Restore,
especially if it is playing up and not working properly. Do you have any
idea how much room it is taking up ?
Joan
 
OK, Ken. I think I've got it now! If I can't find that book, or something
similar, to refer to, there's always the option of bugging my brother for
help!
Click to expand...


Help is good. Better than a book, in my view.

Glee pointed out that my hard drive shouldn't be this full. I had wondered
about that. I've been moving/deleting everything I can, but it hasn't helped
that much. There aren't any music or video files to blame, either.
Click to expand...



As I remember, Glee didn't say "shouldn't," but rather that you might
be able to offload some of your files to CDs.

When you deleted files, did you also empty the recycle bin. If not,
you don't save any space.


But if I
start all over with ME, will this problem be moot? TX!
Click to expand...


Probably just temporarily. I don't know what your files are, but
you'll like repeat whatever you've done to accumulate them.

Ken
 
Another thing that can take up a lot of room on a drive is System Restore,
especially if it is playing up and not working properly. Do you have any
idea how much room it is taking up ?
Click to expand...


Probably 12%, the default. That's a good point, and she can/should
reduce it substantially.

ken
 
In addition to using a utility such as the one Ronaldo mentioned, or one such as
Everest Home Edition:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/EVEREST_Free_Edition_d4181.html
you should go to the Crucial and Kingston web sites and look up your exact brand and
model computer on their memory configurators. They will show you the exact modules
that are compatible, in various sizes, along with the total amount you can use in
that system.

www.crucial.com

www.kingston.com

Both sell excellent RAM.

Kingston can be found at a number of resellers cheaper than buying direct from them.
www.newegg.com often has the best price on particular Kingston modules, if you check
by part number after using the Kingston configurator. Their ValueRAM is the best
bargain among their memory types.

Crucial sells direct....they are a subsidiary of the company that manufactures their
RAM.
 
You have essentially reached the end of the road without a second hard
drive. When you get it installed, you should consider creating a Program
Files folder on that new drive. Uninstall large programs (Office, Photoshop,
etc.) on your current drive and reinstall them in the new Program Files
folder. Move your My Documents folder to the new drive. If you are using
Adobe Reader, you could reduce disk space by uninstalling the Adobe Reader
and installing the Foxit Reader http://www.foxitsoftware.com Much smaller
and much faster.

As soon as you can, install Service Pack 2 (may have been included in your
installation CD) and the 100 or so critical updates since the Service Pack
was issued. There will be a lot of storage used by all of the critical
updates. If you can, defrag the old drive.

It's a lot of work, but will be well worth it. I've been there and done
that!
 
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