WinME suggestions wanted..

I am looking for advice on transferring an existing WinME system to another
(preferrably NEW) set of hardware.

I have an older WInME pc (which I was planning to retire and "convert" to
Linux) but I feel that the whole pc needs serious replacement.
Particularly, the video subsystem is showing age (at boot up the characters
are jumbled(1), and sometime the screen boots to BLANK(2)). I can fix (1)
with a simple ctrl-alt-del at bootup. But when (2) happens, it's the most
annoying since the next boot is only possible in SafeMode and 16 colours!
The latter happend recently; I ended up re-installing the older WinME
drivers for the video card - and it wasn't easy! (originally I had upgraded
the drivers to the latest Nvidia ones - but those are the ones that NOW
start to cause problems) The video subsystem is AGP via an external card.
The exisiting pc doesn't have an integrated video.

I still really need to use WinME for a little while. It's my ICS machine
that allows dialup sharing for another pc. And.. quite frankly, I'm used
to using it as is. A complete change over to Linux would stall me.

So.. I'm fishing for opinions on what would be a good strategy for
migrating WinME to a fresh set of hardware. I am leary on just using
someone's old pc which may or may not have problems of its own.

There were two approaches I was thinking might work:

[1] Barebone kit. This one inspires me: http://tinyurl.com/2pughc If that
link doesn't cooperate, try this one:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...pe=2 &subid=0
Or.. just go to http://tigerdirect.ca and enter "M452-2850 C" (without the
quotes) in the product search.

With this approach, the idea is to them have a relatively modern pc that I
can use for Linux or XP in the future. This model seems to have both IDE
and SATA. The plan is to utilize the IDE for the exisiting hdd (with the
WinME OS) and then build upon the SATA for future storage or main hdd use.
Would that work, or are simultaneous us of IDE hdd and SATA hdd not allowed
on mobo's?

[2] A new pc that supports boot via USB and utilize the existing WinME OS
via an hdd enclosure.

The dilema of course is the ram limitation in WinME (max 512meg with tweaks
in Vcache) ..and maybe a few other limitations such as suitable video driver
support.

W.r.t the barebone kit above, would WinME have problems with PCI-Express?

Hey Ogg,
I know you have your heart set on maintaining Me a while longer,
however, you really should consider simply getting another machine with XP.
The transition from Me to XP for the user is very, very easy......well, I
found it so. The advantages are many when you consider hardware, software,
support, etc. Just my 2 cents, about what it is worth. Sorry, but, I am
unable to answer your other questions.....I'm sure one of the gurus will be
along shortly for that.
Heirloom, old and lovin' my XP


"Ogg" wrote in message
...
I am looking for advice on transferring an existing WinME system to another
(preferrably NEW) set of hardware.

I have an older WInME pc (which I was planning to retire and "convert" to
Linux) but I feel that the whole pc needs serious replacement.
Particularly, the video subsystem is showing age (at boot up the
characters
are jumbled(1), and sometime the screen boots to BLANK(2)). I can fix (1)
with a simple ctrl-alt-del at bootup. But when (2) happens, it's the most
annoying since the next boot is only possible in SafeMode and 16 colours!
The latter happend recently; I ended up re-installing the older WinME
drivers for the video card - and it wasn't easy! (originally I had
upgraded
the drivers to the latest Nvidia ones - but those are the ones that NOW
start to cause problems) The video subsystem is AGP via an external card.
The exisiting pc doesn't have an integrated video.

I still really need to use WinME for a little while. It's my ICS machine
that allows dialup sharing for another pc. And.. quite frankly, I'm used
to using it as is. A complete change over to Linux would stall me.

So.. I'm fishing for opinions on what would be a good strategy for
migrating WinME to a fresh set of hardware. I am leary on just using
someone's old pc which may or may not have problems of its own.

There were two approaches I was thinking might work:

[1] Barebone kit. This one inspires me: http://tinyurl.com/2pughc If that
link doesn't cooperate, try this one:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...pe=2 &subid=0
Or.. just go to http://tigerdirect.ca and enter "M452-2850 C" (without the
quotes) in the product search.

With this approach, the idea is to them have a relatively modern pc that I
can use for Linux or XP in the future. This model seems to have both IDE
and SATA. The plan is to utilize the IDE for the exisiting hdd (with the
WinME OS) and then build upon the SATA for future storage or main hdd use.
Would that work, or are simultaneous us of IDE hdd and SATA hdd not
allowed on mobo's?

[2] A new pc that supports boot via USB and utilize the existing WinME OS
via an hdd enclosure.

The dilema of course is the ram limitation in WinME (max 512meg with
tweaks
in Vcache) ..and maybe a few other limitations such as suitable video
driver
support.

W.r.t the barebone kit above, would WinME have problems with PCI-Express?

I hear ya. Yes. XP would be the better way to go, especially if newer
hardware is concerned. I believe that is ultimately what I should be doing.
Getting a new box, slapping in the WinME OS hdd and expect WinME to
"resolve" all the hardware requirements is probably a risky long-shot. It's
probably better to consider converting my existing WinME hdd into an
external USB enclosure, and gradually move the data I want to keep onto the
new XP pc. I have been considering low-cost refurbished XP machines (under
$300) too.

Did you have any any other insight as what the "transition from Me to XP"
entails? Or do I have the right idea?


I know you have your heart set on maintaining Me a while longer,
however, you really should consider simply getting another machine with
XP. The transition from Me to XP for the user is very, very
easy......well, I found it so. The advantages are many when you consider
hardware, software, support, etc.

"Heirloom" wrote in message
...
Hey Ogg,
I know you have your heart set on maintaining Me a while longer,
however, you really should consider simply getting another machine with
XP. The transition from Me to XP for the user is very, very
easy......well, I found it so. The advantages are many when you consider
hardware, software, support, etc. Just my 2 cents, about what it is
worth. Sorry, but, I am unable to answer your other questions.....I'm
sure one of the gurus will be along shortly for that.
Heirloom, old and lovin' my XP

Transition from ME to XP is even easier if you go to XP display properties
and select the Classic theme. Then the biggest difference for users is file
locations. WinME lets you put files anywhere. In XP you can put them
anywhere if you are the system admin (since it's based on NT it's built for
multi-user and it's not recommended to sign in as an admin unless you need
the access rights for something particular), but the default is to put
everything in your user profile path.


"Ogg" wrote in message
...
I am looking for advice on transferring an existing WinME system to
another
(preferrably NEW) set of hardware.

....
There were two approaches I was thinking might work:

[1] Barebone kit. This one inspires me: http://tinyurl.com/2pughc If
that link doesn't cooperate, try this one:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...pe=2 &subid=0
Or.. just go to http://tigerdirect.ca and enter "M452-2850 C" (without
the quotes) in the product search.

With this approach, the idea is to them have a relatively modern pc that
I can use for Linux or XP in the future. This model seems to have both
IDE and SATA. The plan is to utilize the IDE for the exisiting hdd (with
the WinME OS) and then build upon the SATA for future storage or main hdd
use. Would that work, or are simultaneous us of IDE hdd and SATA hdd not
allowed on mobo's?

I don't believe you can use IDE and SATA hard drives in the same system at
the same time, though I'm not 100% sure.
If the old system works and you have a CDRW drive for it, you may just want
to get a CDRW disc and transfer files that way.
If you have a switch and can network both of them, it may be even easier,
though some people have issues getting an ME system to talk to an XP system.

[2] A new pc that supports boot via USB and utilize the existing WinME OS
via an hdd enclosure.

The dilema of course is the ram limitation in WinME (max 512meg with
tweaks
in Vcache) ..and maybe a few other limitations such as suitable video
driver
support.

W.r.t the barebone kit above, would WinME have problems with PCI-Express?

I wouldn't recommend WinME on a new system.

It is possible to get a "new" system for under $300, but for a new PC with
XP and a monitor I'd expect at least closer to $500.
Spend closer to $1000 if you want it to last a few more years, or if you
want some extras (printer? backup power supply?).
Spend closer to $1500 if you want good bragging rights. You could even
spend more than that, but then you're probably just getting ridiculous.
If you really want to be a cheapskate, skip the new and refurbished and run
right to the classifieds. People have some decent sounding relatively new
systems in there usually well under $300. Of course they probably don't
have a flat screen monitor, or warranty...

On mine, there are no user profiles, everything is administrator. Of
course, my wife and I are the only ones with access to the machine.....I
guess it would depend on your circumstance.

When I went to XP, I had all the program discs that I wanted to put
on......in most cases the new install is best. As far as moving data, I
found using an ATA Flash card made it very easy. I simply copied what I
needed onto the flash card and moved it to the XP machine. My original
intent was to get the Me box 'talking' to the XP box through the router,
but, I was never able to get the Me box to recognize the XP machine and the
XP machine would only 'see' a portion of what I needed on the Me box.
(don't ask, I never did figure it out.....the flash card made it
easy.....and card readers are really cheap now....I got a floppy drive with
built in card reader that will read like 10 different cards for $24, IIRC).
And, you can get a 1G flash card for about $12 now.....I did all my moving
with a 256Mb card.

No biggie, it is whatever YOU want that really matters. I just felt that,
in the long run, you would be better off with the XP machine for a variety
of reasons. Functionally, it is nothing to get used to using.....very user
friendly and intuitive.
Heirloom, old and it's raining again today....I
have moss growing on my north side.

"Eric" wrote in message
...

"Heirloom" wrote in message
...
Hey Ogg,
I know you have your heart set on maintaining Me a while longer,
however, you really should consider simply getting another machine with
XP. The transition from Me to XP for the user is very, very
easy......well, I found it so. The advantages are many when you consider
hardware, software, support, etc. Just my 2 cents, about what it is
worth. Sorry, but, I am unable to answer your other questions.....I'm
sure one of the gurus will be along shortly for that.
Heirloom, old and lovin' my XP

Transition from ME to XP is even easier if you go to XP display properties
and select the Classic theme. Then the biggest difference for users is
file locations. WinME lets you put files anywhere. In XP you can put
them anywhere if you are the system admin (since it's based on NT it's
built for multi-user and it's not recommended to sign in as an admin
unless you need the access rights for something particular), but the
default is to put everything in your user profile path.


"Ogg" wrote in message
...
I am looking for advice on transferring an existing WinME system to
another
(preferrably NEW) set of hardware.

...
There were two approaches I was thinking might work:

[1] Barebone kit. This one inspires me: http://tinyurl.com/2pughc If
that link doesn't cooperate, try this one:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...pe=2 &subid=0
Or.. just go to http://tigerdirect.ca and enter "M452-2850 C" (without
the quotes) in the product search.

With this approach, the idea is to them have a relatively modern pc that
I can use for Linux or XP in the future. This model seems to have both
IDE and SATA. The plan is to utilize the IDE for the exisiting hdd
(with the WinME OS) and then build upon the SATA for future storage or
main hdd use. Would that work, or are simultaneous us of IDE hdd and
SATA hdd not allowed on mobo's?

I don't believe you can use IDE and SATA hard drives in the same system at
the same time, though I'm not 100% sure.
If the old system works and you have a CDRW drive for it, you may just
want to get a CDRW disc and transfer files that way.
If you have a switch and can network both of them, it may be even easier,
though some people have issues getting an ME system to talk to an XP
system.

[2] A new pc that supports boot via USB and utilize the existing WinME
OS
via an hdd enclosure.

The dilema of course is the ram limitation in WinME (max 512meg with
tweaks
in Vcache) ..and maybe a few other limitations such as suitable video
driver
support.

W.r.t the barebone kit above, would WinME have problems with
PCI-Express?

I wouldn't recommend WinME on a new system.

It is possible to get a "new" system for under $300, but for a new PC with
XP and a monitor I'd expect at least closer to $500.
Spend closer to $1000 if you want it to last a few more years, or if you
want some extras (printer? backup power supply?).
Spend closer to $1500 if you want good bragging rights. You could even
spend more than that, but then you're probably just getting ridiculous.
If you really want to be a cheapskate, skip the new and refurbished and
run right to the classifieds. People have some decent sounding relatively
new systems in there usually well under $300. Of course they probably
don't have a flat screen monitor, or warranty...

easy.....and card readers are really cheap now....I got a floppy drive
with built in card reader that will read like 10 different cards for $24,
IIRC). And, you can get a 1G flash card for about $12 now.....I did all my
moving with a 256Mb card.


This box has a multi card reader *instead* of a floppy drive! Hence the
great fun installing XP to a RAID, when it only accepts drivers from a
floppy (I do now have an installation CD that installs the drivers
automatically - and beyond accepting the eula, choosing to install rather
than repair and to which partition, automated the entire setup routine! Next
time you need to hit the keyboard is when the desktop is up!

In fact I'm prepared - for a reasonable fee - to constuct such CDs for
others - so long as they supply the original, of course. What do you think?
Send me the XP CD and a list of what they want - eg, keyboard and regional
settings, time zone, which extras, what to name the computer, whether to
install a workgroup and so on and get back a CD that after choosing where to
install to, you can leave running and just go do something else?).

As for the card price you quote, for not much more you can get a 2G SD card
in town, here. Real tempted to get one for the camera - only lately I
haven't even been making use of the 128MB it does have! I guess prices will
continue to fall though, so when I start using it again it won't be too late
to get a bargain. In fact I'll probably be able to get a 4G then, for the
same price.

But, you know, I get maybe 50 really big shots (that make crystal clear
filled-and-cropped wallpapers on this widescreen monitor) on 128MB! It's
when I think of being able to store about 16x as many that I decide to
'leave it for now'. I think there must be a smaller one - of similar value -
that will be more appropriate. But what is actually wrong with fitting, say
(for the sake of argument) 750 photos you could make posters with on my
camera's memory card? All I know is it makes my mind reel!

I don't recall if I bought this up before, H (old bean!) - but I read an
article that (like a slap round the face) made me aware of at least one part
of what is happening these days: that solid state storage is usurping the
mechanical variety. Quite astounding, really, just considering the space
that'll save - but then we do march relentlessly on towards ever-increasing
miniturisation, don't we, nothing new in that. But there'll be no spin-up
time. Push the 'On' button and Windows will be available just as fast as the
monitor can initialise. Well, this machine is 'whisper' quiet - certainly in
the daytime when there is background noise anyhow - but it'll sound like
shouting when instead of the HDD we're Solid State. Though if it gets
shortened to 'SS' I think we'll have forgotten the lesson of the valve era.

I saw - for the first time, realistically - the prospect of a mobile phone
with the power of a desktop. Now, if they can just advance cybernetics to
where we can swap our hands for ones with tiny little fingers...!


Shane

Yeah, I have often wondered when the solid state "HD's" would be available.
With the improvements that come out, almost daily, i.e. HDSD cards, speed
will become the least of our worries. My puny little 256Mb ATA Flash card
is over 20x larger than my first HD!!....and I thought I would never be able
to fill that up! The large G cards are still rather costly, but, like all
electronics, they will come down and get smaller in the process. Won't be
long before the "Dick Tracy" watch (or Bluetooth type headset) will have
wireless connections to printers, phone, Net, fax, camera and movie, tv,
radio, MP3,
visual scanner, GPS, health monitor and a myriad of other items with a
direct neuro connection to ones optic nerve and probably other sensory
abilities. Won't be any need for schools, simply program the knowledge one
needs into storage and get your degree.
Heirloom, old and I don't want to be
around then


"Shane" wrote in message
...
easy.....and card readers are really cheap now....I got a floppy drive
with built in card reader that will read like 10 different cards for $24,
IIRC). And, you can get a 1G flash card for about $12 now.....I did all
my moving with a 256Mb card.


This box has a multi card reader *instead* of a floppy drive! Hence the
great fun installing XP to a RAID, when it only accepts drivers from a
floppy (I do now have an installation CD that installs the drivers
automatically - and beyond accepting the eula, choosing to install rather
than repair and to which partition, automated the entire setup routine!
Next time you need to hit the keyboard is when the desktop is up!

In fact I'm prepared - for a reasonable fee - to constuct such CDs for
others - so long as they supply the original, of course. What do you
think? Send me the XP CD and a list of what they want - eg, keyboard and
regional settings, time zone, which extras, what to name the computer,
whether to install a workgroup and so on and get back a CD that after
choosing where to install to, you can leave running and just go do
something else?).

As for the card price you quote, for not much more you can get a 2G SD
card in town, here. Real tempted to get one for the camera - only lately I
haven't even been making use of the 128MB it does have! I guess prices
will continue to fall though, so when I start using it again it won't be
too late to get a bargain. In fact I'll probably be able to get a 4G then,
for the same price.

But, you know, I get maybe 50 really big shots (that make crystal clear
filled-and-cropped wallpapers on this widescreen monitor) on 128MB! It's
when I think of being able to store about 16x as many that I decide to
'leave it for now'. I think there must be a smaller one - of similar
value - that will be more appropriate. But what is actually wrong with
fitting, say (for the sake of argument) 750 photos you could make posters
with on my camera's memory card? All I know is it makes my mind reel!

I don't recall if I bought this up before, H (old bean!) - but I read an
article that (like a slap round the face) made me aware of at least one
part of what is happening these days: that solid state storage is usurping
the mechanical variety. Quite astounding, really, just considering the
space that'll save - but then we do march relentlessly on towards
ever-increasing miniturisation, don't we, nothing new in that. But
there'll be no spin-up time. Push the 'On' button and Windows will be
available just as fast as the monitor can initialise. Well, this machine
is 'whisper' quiet - certainly in the daytime when there is background
noise anyhow - but it'll sound like shouting when instead of the HDD we're
Solid State. Though if it gets shortened to 'SS' I think we'll have
forgotten the lesson of the valve era.

I saw - for the first time, realistically - the prospect of a mobile phone
with the power of a desktop. Now, if they can just advance cybernetics to
where we can swap our hands for ones with tiny little fingers...!


Shane

"Heirloom" wrote in message
...
Yeah, I have often wondered when the solid state "HD's" would be
available. With the improvements that come out, almost daily, i.e. HDSD
cards, speed will become the least of our worries. My puny little 256Mb
ATA Flash card is over 20x larger than my first HD!!....and I thought I
would never be able to fill that up! The large G cards are still rather
costly, but, like all electronics, they will come down and get smaller in
the process. Won't be long before the "Dick Tracy" watch (or Bluetooth
type headset) will have wireless connections to printers, phone, Net, fax,
camera and movie, tv, radio, MP3,
visual scanner, GPS, health monitor and a myriad of other items with a
direct neuro connection to ones optic nerve and probably other sensory
abilities. Won't be any need for schools, simply program the knowledge
one needs into storage and get your degree.
Heirloom, old and I don't want to be
around then


That's about the audible most lol I've managed here yet! No, I'm not sure I
want to be around then either.


Shane


"Shane" wrote in message
...
easy.....and card readers are really cheap now....I got a floppy drive
with built in card reader that will read like 10 different cards for
$24, IIRC). And, you can get a 1G flash card for about $12 now.....I did
all my moving with a 256Mb card.


This box has a multi card reader *instead* of a floppy drive! Hence the
great fun installing XP to a RAID, when it only accepts drivers from a
floppy (I do now have an installation CD that installs the drivers
automatically - and beyond accepting the eula, choosing to install rather
than repair and to which partition, automated the entire setup routine!
Next time you need to hit the keyboard is when the desktop is up!

In fact I'm prepared - for a reasonable fee - to constuct such CDs for
others - so long as they supply the original, of course. What do you
think? Send me the XP CD and a list of what they want - eg, keyboard and
regional settings, time zone, which extras, what to name the computer,
whether to install a workgroup and so on and get back a CD that after
choosing where to install to, you can leave running and just go do
something else?).

As for the card price you quote, for not much more you can get a 2G SD
card in town, here. Real tempted to get one for the camera - only lately
I haven't even been making use of the 128MB it does have! I guess prices
will continue to fall though, so when I start using it again it won't be
too late to get a bargain. In fact I'll probably be able to get a 4G
then, for the same price.

But, you know, I get maybe 50 really big shots (that make crystal clear
filled-and-cropped wallpapers on this widescreen monitor) on 128MB! It's
when I think of being able to store about 16x as many that I decide to
'leave it for now'. I think there must be a smaller one - of similar
value - that will be more appropriate. But what is actually wrong with
fitting, say (for the sake of argument) 750 photos you could make posters
with on my camera's memory card? All I know is it makes my mind reel!

I don't recall if I bought this up before, H (old bean!) - but I read an
article that (like a slap round the face) made me aware of at least one
part of what is happening these days: that solid state storage is
usurping the mechanical variety. Quite astounding, really, just
considering the space that'll save - but then we do march relentlessly on
towards ever-increasing miniturisation, don't we, nothing new in that.
But there'll be no spin-up time. Push the 'On' button and Windows will be
available just as fast as the monitor can initialise. Well, this machine
is 'whisper' quiet - certainly in the daytime when there is background
noise anyhow - but it'll sound like shouting when instead of the HDD
we're Solid State. Though if it gets shortened to 'SS' I think we'll have
forgotten the lesson of the valve era.

I saw - for the first time, realistically - the prospect of a mobile
phone with the power of a desktop. Now, if they can just advance
cybernetics to where we can swap our hands for ones with tiny little
fingers...!


Shane