All kind of problems!

[Computer Bugged]

This is my first post on this board. I'm not completely computer smart. I know some things but not as much as I'd like to know. I've been looking on this board now for two weeks before I decided to post. I've been through every page posted on here and you guys are really nice and understanding.

Okay here's my problem. I don't know what kind of mother board I have but I am using Windows Me. I had my computer built by a individual who owns a computer store here in my home town two years ago. Ever since I've had nothing but problems out of it and the people who built it are rude when you go into the store and try to talk to them. I don't like being talked down too or snapped at. I don't treat anyone that way I just installed myself a new hard drive and went from a 20 GB hard drive to a 40. Installed it with no problems and it done great for a couple of months. Now alot of my files have like disapeared and I can't figure out what to do. Everybody has told me that I need to get Windows XP because Windows Me sucked. I believe it too. I've had a computer since 94 so I've used Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows 98. Windows Me has been the only one I've used that I've had so much trouble out of. It does to much weird and crazy stuff. It's as if it has it's own mind. My problem right now is I don't have enough funds to get the XP just yet. So I was wondering if I could do something to fix it untill I could afford Windows XP. I have ran a software that tells you how many files you have messed up and it's came up with around a little more than 60 files missing. Is there a free file that anyone knows about out there on the net that could fix it or am I stuck. So far I've seen only two and one was PC Bug Doctor and PC Power Scan but each one of those you have to buy the fixes. Oh and I tried installing Windows Me over the main version and it didn't fix it. My sound comes on sometimes but when it does come on I can't log on the internet for some reason. I was going to reformat my hard drive and start over but ya'll talk about making a boot up disk. It won't even do that without telling me that the boot disk I made had to many errors.

Oh and another thing I wanted to ask. The guy that built my computer sent all the software that came with it, but no Windows Me software. I had a fellow to tell me that it was against the law to build and sell a computer without giving me the Windows Me software with it. Is this true! I have a copy of the Windows Me but that's after I burned my own copy. Thanks for any help you could give me!


Kathy

[bailey]

welcom to the forums, sorry to hear of all the problems your having.
one thing I would suggest is that you might download the free programs called adaware and spybot and run them on your system also a good anti-virus program.
I suspect that you may have a lot of unwanted garbage in your system that may be couseing all your problems

[Beemer]

Hi Kathy. Welcome to techimo.
Windows ME, depending on the hardware configuration, can be very buggy. It's my opinion that ME is Bill Gates joke on the computer consumer. Windows ME is Windows 98 on steroids. They knew that no matter what they released that year would be bought. They used ME as a testing platform for intended features of future O/S's. (Operating System's) E.g. WinXP.

Now add a bunch of spyware and maybe a virus or 2 and you have a little piece of Windows hell.

The company that built your machine may have put the O/S on the hard drive in a Windows me folder. They should be able to confirm at least that much for you.

If not, read your bill of sale and see if it says No Operating System, you have a case against them as they are contrary to Microsoft licencing if they sold you a computer with an O/S on the machine.

It would be nice to have some system spec's.
CPU
Amount of installed RAM
Size of hard drive
Motherboard

Here's a link to Belarc Adviser

Download and install it. The program is really small. It will give you a page of installed hardware and software and will answer any questions we may pose. Print the page(s).

Are you running any kind of virus protection software?
Have you run a spyware remover program? SpyBot S&D

I won't be able to get back to this thread until after my work day tomorrow, Pacific time. Someone else may be able to help in the mean time.

Cheers!

[Brainchild]

Here is a link to a good anti virus,and a free firewall as wel,both are a nice addition to narrowing down your problems

AVG and

Sygate. Both are nice programs,and free as well.

I am running Windows ME on a system I have,and the drivers aren't supported very well,and it is a bit tricky to maintain.I really don't have too much trouble out of it though,it usuall runs nice and stable.Upgrading to XP is a good idea,it is a much better OS.

[wju425]

Welcome to TechIMO!

Sorry to hear of your plight. You need to give a heave-ho to the jerks that called themselves computer experts. You can buy a computer w\o an OS but if you do get an OS it should come with a cd with a COA. Depending on what your computer is it might not be ready for winXP. If I were you I'd stick with win98se. It's what I'm using now but it's a hybrid (win98 with winME kernal and winXP browser).

\o/ Billy

EDIT: I meant the jerks at the computer store, not you guys.

[Bill in SD, CA]

Welcome to TechIMO!!

Another thing Belarc will tell you is your "CD" key.

Write it down somewhere for safe keeping.

Bill

[SunDizzle]

All,

[SunDizzle]

Sorry about that one, I have actually bought a pc before w/o a cd, it was an hp though...

Massive problems until I reloaded the os, propriety is deffinetly not fun!

[Computer Bugged]

Everyone here is so nice. I want to first thank you so much for help that I've already gotten. I downloaded what you told me to Beemer. Here's what my computer has in it from the Belarc Advisor:

CPU- Not sure what else is it called?
Amount of installed RAM- I have 128MB. I plan to upgrade it here soon.
Size of hard drive-40GB Maxtor 6E040L0- Just installed a month ago from having a 20GB.
Motherboard- Biostar Group M6TWG 1.X

I ran the SpyBot S&D and it said Congradulations no Immediate theats and Error During Check! Winpup32 (Ungultiger Date)

I haven't put the antivirus software on here yet. I did have Norton Antivirus 2001 on here but took it off last night.

The computer runs much faster but I'm still having trouble logging on. I have AOL 9.0. I just decided to try it a couple of weeks ago. It signs on and everything but then my browser won't load completely and when I check it out with Ctrl/Alt/Delete it says AOL not responding. Then I sometimes get this Msgsrv32 not responding. I'll usually have to reboot and when I do my little speaker on my bottom bar won't come up and I have no sound. I hope I helped you in figureing something out. Oh and I also have the freebie Nero browser too and when I log on it it won't bring nothing up on the screen. Except that it can't find the page or something like that. Please help if possible.


Thank You,
Kathy

[Computer Bugged]

Originally posted by Beemer
The company that built your machine may have put the O/S on the hard drive in a Windows me folder. They should be able to confirm at least that much for you.

If not, read your bill of sale and see if it says No Operating System, you have a case against them as they are contrary to Microsoft licencing if they sold you a computer with an O/S on the machine.

They told me the last time I went up there back a few months ago that they had put the Windows Software in a folder on my computer. That was the first time I had heard of it and I bought the computer two years ago, also it's not written anywhere on my bill of sale saying No Operating System. I have it right here in front of me.


Kathy