Reinstall Windows Me; A New Way To Go!

REINSTALLING WINDOWS ME

After a couple of active years of use, sometimes the system files just need to be refurbished as interactions with other software applications cause corruptions of the System files that over time may compound and cannot be practically repaired file by file.

There are several ways to reinstal from reformating the hard drive to a parallel install all of which require reloading all the drivers and programs. Not a fun project.

Here's a trick that I read about from some technician from Brasil on the web who figured out this ingenious way to get rid of the corrupted System files and reload a fresh set of System files without having to blow out everything. He had done it for Windows 98 but I updated it and have done it successfully on Windows Me. Here are the instructions:
(while It has worked well for me I make no warranties and you must undertake this at your own risk as I can not take any liability for anyones actions)

1. Make a new folder in the C drive called "Zâ€
2. Copy the Windows Me installation CD into the Z folder.
3. Make copies of any folders in the Me Windows folder that you want to save. For example, Desktop, Favorites and Start Menu; and paste them into "Local Disk C" where they can sit safely while this process is going on.
4. Boot with the Me start up diskette and choose to start without CD support. When the "A prompt" appears, type C:\ and enter which will get you to the C prompt.
5. Type Z\setup and scandisk will run, after it does, hit X for exit and the Windows Me setup will start.
6. After you enter product keys etc., you will be asked to install Windows in C:\Windows folder but instead type "C:\WindowsC" in the box where Windows will be installed. Ignore the warnings.
7. Install Windows Me in "WindowsC" using the "compact" option, which will pop up. (you will uninstall this installation later.)
8. When the Windows installation finishes and reboots and you are able to enter the WindowsC installation, click on "My Computerâ€, local disk C then DELETE THE WINDOWS FOLDER! (Basically, this dumps all the corrupted System files, which are a part of this folder.)
9. Restart again with the Me boot diskette, select start without CD support and when the "A prompt" appears type C:\ and enter which once again brings you to the "C prompt" in the DOS mode.
10. Type Z\setup, let Scandisk run, hit X when Scandisk is finished to exit and setup will start again. This time when it asks where you want to install make sure you type: C\Windows and let it reinstall once again this time to C\Windows.(make sure the "C" is removed)
11. After the installation completes and boots, click on "My Computerâ€, local disk C and this time you are going to delete the "WindowsC" folder. You have now dumped the superfluous data that was loaded when you put the whole reinstall into this folder. You now have a virtually error free reinstallation of Windows Me with a new Windows folder which has all the nice clean System files. .
12. Paste your saved Windows folders back from "Loca Disc C" into the appropriate new Windows folders.
13. Check your programs to see which ones are still working using the desktop shortcuts, program start menu and go through the "Program Files" folder and check and reinstall or delete any Program files many of which will still be OK. (Except those that installed shared System files which have now been deleted)

You may have to reinstall a couple of programs but many of them will have an "exe" or setup file in the program folder which will let you reinstall the program without having to hunt up the installation CD’s. I also always keep a folder in the C local drive called "Program Install Back ups" where I put downloaded program install files in case I need to reinstall a program.

Good Luck, Monk

 

win98se

just wondering if the directions you just gave to reinstall me would work with win98se the same way or do I need to make some changes. Thanks