Foo - Windows ME + Kids Computer = H-E: Double Toothpicks

Holy crap! I hooked my kids up with a hand me down computer last winter and ever since then, I spend the majority of my life going into their computer room to fix something that has locked up. :(

Windows ME does indeed suck, big time. Find a copy of XP and it will work a 1000x better.

Yeah and give them guest privliges. :lol:

Or teach them how to fix it... Fix a mans computer and you fix it the rest of your days, teach him how to fix it himself and you are a freed spirit.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Windows ME (Mistake Edition) is the problem with your setup. Pop a copy of XP on there and you're set.

Windows ME is the worst thing MS has ever unleashed on the unsuspecting public. Personally, I'd rather have to go back to a DOS environment than use ME...hell, I'd rather have to use an abicus.

Yeah ME was the last Windows in a long line of Windows for Workgroups pain in the ass systems. Get rid of it, go 2000 at the least, or XP. XP shouldn't lock unless you're kids are downloading a crapload of bad stuff (give them guest user privileges then), or have a hardware issue.

I wouldn't recommend Ubuntu if your kids are using any Windows-specific software. Mainly games, being as thats why kids love computers.

So where is the cheapest place to get a copy of XP? Every computer I have has the OS on it's own CD but i don't think you can spread it around, so to speak.

I have a copy of Windows 2000 that I will give ya. PM with your address if you want it.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

I second that!

Ah, Windows 98 Millennium Edition. I recommend seppuku.

Ah, Windows 98 Millennium Edition. I recommend seppuku.

Actually I'd take Windows 98 over ME any day...

It would still be like pulling teeth, but ME had much more serious stability problems.


Thing is, I've known people that have been happy running Windows 98... Windows ME, not so much.

We were happily running ME. Didn't know what everyone complained about it for.

Then we installed XP.

Holy!!! It doesn't crash every time we do stuff! It is amazing what you can get used to... rebooting a couple of times a day, don't even try to run more than one thing at a time...

If you do jump to XP, you should seriously consider making your kids just regular users, not administrators. If they want to install something, make them get you to do it. You'll cut down on a ton of crapware/adware/spyware/etc if you just don't let them download and install every little thing they find.

If you do jump to XP, you should seriously consider making your kids just regular users, not administrators. If they want to install something, make them get you to do it. You'll cut down on a ton of crapware/adware/spyware/etc if you just don't let them download and install every little thing they find.

Amen to this.

I ran windoze ME for a little while without any problems but it became unstable within about 4 months and I reinstalled 98SE. While it was working, it was pretty nice but not worth all the trouble.

I thought it was H-E Double Hockey Sticks. Like these...L L

Ya down wit dat?

ME well... 98SE and 2000 do everything ME does, and don't have the hassle.

Go 2000 or XP, IMHO. If you have more than five computers, consider buying a volume license so you can reinstall machines without having to re-activate them.

ME, the practice run for Vista. (Sorry, having issues with a certain other M$ OS right now). Yeah, get rid of ME in the fastest way possible. I suggest Format C:\ as the first step. Twice, just to be sure.

ME, the practice run for Vista. (Sorry, having issues with a certain other M$ OS right now). Yeah, get rid of ME in the fastest way possible. I suggest Format C:\ as the first step. Twice, just to be sure.


Isn't format part of the install process or at least isn't it an option?

The "format" command is the "nuke" portion of the standard Windows troubleshooting method of "Nuke & Pave".

The "format" command is the "nuke" portion of the standard Windows troubleshooting method of "Nuke & Pave".


What i was asking is if I will be prompted to format during the install process?

It's been a long time since I've installed Windows, but I believe the installer for the 9x series (95, 98, 98SE, 98ME) asks if you want to format the drive. Maybe the NT series (2000/XP) as well, but I think I've only used so-called "upgrade" installers for those, so I'm not sure.

If it doesn't, you should be able to boot to the command line from the installer disc and invoke format from there.

Yes you will. Format using the NTFS option.

Make sure your machine will allow you to boot from a CD, typically in the BIOS and when the disk runs up, it will say select any key to install from disk, hit the space bar, Windows will start to install. Soon in the process it will ask if you want to upgrade or clear the existing partition. Delete the Partition and reinstall.

Yeah, it will. Thanks jaxgtr. ;)

Welcome

edubuntu + xcfe is what you need