Shut down wont work, excessive lockups

I am running ME on a reasonably heavy loaded computer. Recently I am experiencing lots of lockup and the latest is that the shut down wont work either through the "Start" button routine or through CtrlAltDel. It is the computer which will not die. I have to turn it off through the power switch to get a reboot. Any ideas?

 

Windoze ME is famous for lockups and power management issues. It gets worse as you update components of Windows which is why it may have been ok before and not now.

I recommend upgrading to Windows 2000, or XP if your PC can handle it. 2000 has much teh same requirements as ME though.

As a tech, i am not a fan of ME. It was a horrible OS and no coincidence that you can still buy the Win 98 CD from most wholesalers, but cant buy ME. Nobody wants it. Its aaaawweful.

Best advice is upgrade your OS, and dont do so over the top of ME, back up your data and format the drive during 2000 or XP setup. Do so in the NTFS file system format too when asked. Fact is mate, you are better off with windows 98SE than ME.

I had ME for a whole week at one time. It was so painful i went back to 98SE until i had checked out XP properly and then went to that.

 

Thanks

I really appreciate the helpful hints. I went through the run-on-startup programs and found one I could shut off which seems to fix the problem. I really like the suggestion to upgrade to a better OS, but the procedure seems a bit daunting. Backup my 30 or so G of programs and data? Format the harddrive? Yikes! I still like the idea, but I think I'll hunt down a tech who can perform the surgery. Thanks again.

 

You should do this, it will clean up your ME system, and maybe prevent some lockups. Boot the computer with a boot floppy, choose without CD rom support. Do not choose Command Prompt Only, as these commands will not work easily. Type in these commands, pressing Enter at the end of each line.
smartdrv
deltree c:\windows\cookies
deltree c:\windows\history
deltree c:\windows\temp
deltree c:\windows\tempor~1
scanreg /opt
scanreg /fix
When you get the message that 'window has repaired the registry', take out floppy and reboot. Those deleted folders will be rebuilt clean.

 

Aol

I have problems similar to yours, H Hanover. They started when I loaded AOL's 9.0 Security Edition. It is an abolute hog and almost seems like a virus itself, appearing all over my computer and wanting to take control of everything.

My own analysis, before going to the helpful link listed was that graphics was involved, but I didn't/don't know the ultimate fix. I am unfortunately in a position where I cannot expend anything on improving my system. I have been just putting up with it, but wondered if the final straw for H or others might also have been AOL.

I have used ME for three years now without problems until this.