Win Me back to 98SE?

[Mikey S.]

I have Windows ME and find it to be a terrible OS. My worst problem is I cannot access secure sites which require 128 bit cypher strength. I tried following the 4 pages of instructions in the Microsoft knowledge base to fix it but still can't get it to work -- partly because my ME OS is part of a system restore disk and I can't find some of the required files. I can access non-secure sites fine.

I never had a problem (at least not this bad) with Win 98 SE on my previous computer. My question is, can I install Win 98 SE (or even first edition) on a computer that is running Me now without causing any problems? If so, how?

Thanks very much in advance.

Mike

[blubomber]

You will have to reformat your hard drive and install Win98SE. Unless you upgraded 98SE to ME, and chose the option to allow you to revert back to 98SE if you did not like ME.

My suggestion would be just to reformat your drive a few times and then install 98SE. That way you get rid of ME for good.

[Mikey S.]

So I have to back-up all my data or lose it if I switch? Bummer. Maybe I need to just bite the bullet and pay $100 for Win XP.

[zen]

Originally posted by Mikey S.
So I have to back-up all my data or lose it if I switch? Bummer. Maybe I need to just bite the bullet and pay $100 for Win XP.

If your hardware is not too ancient I would suggest spending that $100.

[NMS]

I had Win ME some time ago on my system. IMO its the worst OS ever !
As Blubomber suggest, i would backup all important files and change back to win98 or if u have a good pc to win xp. Good Luck.

[butch81385]

also check for any discounts that you may be able to use... i got xp pro for $10 because my sister goes to CMU and they have a deal with microsoft!

[blubomber]

Mikey,

Go to www.newegg.com to get windows XP home. You can get the full OEM version for $92. Stay away from the update. I am pretty sure you can update ME with a full version of XP with out loosing your data.

[NMS]

Originally posted by blubomber
...
I am pretty sure you can update ME with a full version of XP with out loosing your data.

True, I have a friend who has updated his ME to XP, but he wasnt 'happy' after it. So u should take the full version of XP.

You can save the extra $ by getting the Upgrade version. It's the same as the Full, you just need to have a qualifying product to use it. If it's Home, a 9X,2K, or Me CD will work just fine. I don't believe Pro will work w/ Me.

You don't have to have the OS already installed to just install the Upgrade either, it just wants the CD during the setup process. I saved myself quite a few $'s by buying just the Upgrades for 2K and XP Pro both, I use the same 98SE CD when it asks during the setup process, both from clean installs.

Don't get the Full version if you already have a previous supported OS.

[Vagabond]

i actually like Win 2kpro a lot