A number of issues in a Dell computer

Some questions came up to do with ME on this used Dell computer. Several
relate to my earlier thread.
1. Password screen- as suggested, deleted all *.pwl files, next reboot,
entered only username, close, rebooted again, password screen back, just as
in W98SE.

2. Accessories folder was there, hidden. Start/Programs, in the context
menu, only a few entries, need to click down arrow to see Accessories. In
W98SE, context menu has maybe 10 entries, all visible.

3. Error screen on bootup: "clfmon causes error in (unknown)", I close, ME
desktop finishes loading. Had this error when first ran puter, in various
steps, it went away, now back. Comment?

4. Folder in C:\Program Files: Net Meeting- can this be deleted?

5. SMC Compact USB to Ethernet Controller- can this be uninstalled? This is
a home computer, never a network.

6. Folder in C:\Program Files: PCI Ethernet Controller- can this be deleted?

7. Folder in C:\Remover - it is empty, can it be deleted?

7. Config.sys- I added numlock- off, only line, saved change, file is
archive attribute, on reboot, file is empty?

8. Start Menu entry: Log Off Msc.... how to delete this?

9. In W98, I'm used to running scandisk from DOS, then defrag in Windows.
In ME, the DOS prompt is unavailable unless I put in a boot disk. What is
recommended for scandisk in ME?

10. The default is apparently IE4.0, it shows installed. Is this normal?

11. System Restore is disabled when I looked in misconfig, I went to
Control Panel/System...Troubleshooting, "System Restore is disabled" . How
to enable it?

TIA

Mike Sa

ms wrote:

Mike,

1. Password screen- as suggested, deleted all *.pwl files, next
reboot, entered only username, close, rebooted again, password screen
back, just as in W98SE.

Re-read my earlier post on this subject. See also MS KB 152104 - "How to
Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at Startup"
(http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=152104).

2. Accessories folder was there, hidden. Start/Programs, in the
context menu, only a few entries, need to click down arrow to see
Accessories. In W98SE, context menu has maybe 10 entries, all visible.

As I suggested it might be. If you don't want to use personalised menus,
disable them using Start | Settings | Taskbar and Start Menu | General and
uncheck "Use personalized menus".

3. Error screen on bootup: "clfmon causes error in (unknown)", I
close, ME desktop finishes loading. Had this error when first ran
puter, in various steps, it went away, now back. Comment?

Probably ctfmon rather than clfmon. ctfmon.exe is not part of Win Me but
may have been added as part of say MS Office XP

4. Folder in C:\Program Files: Net Meeting- can this be deleted?

No, not if you then use a registry cleaner and later want to use
Add/Remove Programs | Windows Setup.

5. SMC Compact USB to Ethernet Controller- can this be uninstalled?
This is a home computer, never a network.

That's your decision to make. How to you connect to the internet (which
FYI is a network)?

7. Folder in C:\Remover - it is empty, can it be deleted?

No idea. Not part of the Win Me install.

7. Config.sys- I added numlock- off, only line, saved change, file is
archive attribute, on reboot, file is empty?

Since Win Me does not use real mode neither config.sys nor autoexec.bat
are used but retained for backward compatibility for applications that
expect to see these two files. See MS KB274646 - "Understanding the
Settings in the Windows Millennium Edition Config.sys File"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=274646)

8. Start Menu entry: Log Off Msc.... how to delete this?

Another setting that can be configured using Start | Settings | Taskbar &
Start Menu | Advanced and unchecking "Display logoff".

9. In W98, I'm used to running scandisk from DOS, then defrag in
Windows. In ME, the DOS prompt is unavailable unless I put in a boot
disk. What is recommended for scandisk in ME?

Whatever takes your fancy.

10. The default is apparently IE4.0, it shows installed. Is this
normal?

No. Win Me contains IE5.5.

11. System Restore is disabled when I looked in misconfig, I went to
Control Panel/System...Troubleshooting, "System Restore is disabled"
. How to enable it?

By unchecking the tick box you've already located which was checked and
then immediately rebooting.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP

In addition to Mike's earlier comments:

Real Mode in WinME

"Overview of Real Mode Removal from Windows Millennium Edition"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;269524

"Windows Millennium Edition and Real-Mode Functionality"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;272488

"WebCast: Real Mode Removal in Windows Millennium Edition"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;325524
-----

WinME Boot Disk

How To Create a Windows Me Startup Disk Manually
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;271823

Alternatively, use www.bootdisk.com, or http://www.startdisk.com/
Download the appropriate setup file and create the bootable floppies.

Similar tools exist for creating a bootable CD.
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"ms" wrote in message ...
Some questions came up to do with ME on this used Dell computer. Several
relate to my earlier thread.
1. Password screen- as suggested, deleted all *.pwl files, next reboot,
entered only username, close, rebooted again, password screen back, just
as
in W98SE.

2. Accessories folder was there, hidden. Start/Programs, in the context
menu, only a few entries, need to click down arrow to see Accessories. In
W98SE, context menu has maybe 10 entries, all visible.

3. Error screen on bootup: "clfmon causes error in (unknown)", I close, ME
desktop finishes loading. Had this error when first ran puter, in various
steps, it went away, now back. Comment?

4. Folder in C:\Program Files: Net Meeting- can this be deleted?

5. SMC Compact USB to Ethernet Controller- can this be uninstalled? This
is
a home computer, never a network.

6. Folder in C:\Program Files: PCI Ethernet Controller- can this be
deleted?

7. Folder in C:\Remover - it is empty, can it be deleted?

7. Config.sys- I added numlock- off, only line, saved change, file is
archive attribute, on reboot, file is empty?

8. Start Menu entry: Log Off Msc.... how to delete this?

9. In W98, I'm used to running scandisk from DOS, then defrag in Windows.
In ME, the DOS prompt is unavailable unless I put in a boot disk. What is
recommended for scandisk in ME?

10. The default is apparently IE4.0, it shows installed. Is this normal?

11. System Restore is disabled when I looked in misconfig, I went to
Control Panel/System...Troubleshooting, "System Restore is disabled" . How
to enable it?

TIA

Mike Sa

Jack E Martinelli wrote:
In addition to Mike's earlier comments:

Real Mode in WinME

"Overview of Real Mode Removal from Windows Millennium Edition"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;269524

"Windows Millennium Edition and Real-Mode Functionality"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;272488

"WebCast: Real Mode Removal in Windows Millennium Edition"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;325524
-----

WinME Boot Disk

How To Create a Windows Me Startup Disk Manually
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;271823

Alternatively, use www.bootdisk.com, or http://www.startdisk.com/
Download the appropriate setup file and create the bootable floppies.

Similar tools exist for creating a bootable CD.

Thanks, Jack. As mentioned in my reply to Mike, I read the above and the
restore of Real Mode is too extensive for me. I did make a boot disk from
the link and it works fine.

Mike Sa

Thanks for the help, Mike, comments below.

Mike M wrote:
ms wrote:

Mike,

1. Password screen- as suggested, deleted all *.pwl files, next
reboot, entered only username, close, rebooted again, password screen
back, just as in W98SE.


Re-read my earlier post on this subject. See also MS KB 152104 - "How
to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at
Startup" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=152104).

I will continue to work on this.

2. Accessories folder was there, hidden. Start/Programs, in the
context menu, only a few entries, need to click down arrow to see
Accessories. In W98SE, context menu has maybe 10 entries, all visible.


As I suggested it might be. If you don't want to use personalised menus,
disable them using Start | Settings | Taskbar and Start Menu | General
and uncheck "Use personalized menus".

Please explain "personalized menus" before I uncheck something. How does
this relate to the context menu I'm seeing?

3. Error screen on bootup: "clfmon causes error in (unknown)", I
close, ME desktop finishes loading. Had this error when first ran
puter, in various steps, it went away, now back. Comment?

Probably ctfmon rather than clfmon. ctfmon.exe is not part of Win Me
but may have been added as part of say MS Office XP

Fixed, in utility, unchecked "check clfmon on startup". BTW, it was clfmon.

4. Folder in C:\Program Files: Net Meeting- can this be deleted?


No, not if you then use a registry cleaner and later want to use
Add/Remove Programs | Windows Setup.

Ok, but I'm not clear what Net Meeting has to do with me, have no network.

5. SMC Compact USB to Ethernet Controller- can this be uninstalled?
This is a home computer, never a network.


That's your decision to make. How to you connect to the internet (which
FYI is a network)?

Not online yet, but it will be DUN. May be wrong, but I understood ethernet
was network related, nothing like that on my W98 puter with DUN?

7. Folder in C:\Remover - it is empty, can it be deleted?


No idea. Not part of the Win Me install.

Deleted OK

7. Config.sys- I added numlock- off, only line, saved change, file is
archive attribute, on reboot, file is empty?


Since Win Me does not use real mode neither config.sys nor autoexec.bat
are used but retained for backward compatibility for applications that
expect to see these two files. See MS KB274646 - "Understanding the
Settings in the Windows Millennium Edition Config.sys File"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=274646)

Due to age and medical issues, I don't get into complex rework like that.
Is there an easier way to turn NumLock key off on bootup, w/o going into BIOS?


8. Start Menu entry: Log Off Msc.... how to delete this?


Another setting that can be configured using Start | Settings | Taskbar
& Start Menu | Advanced and unchecking "Display logoff".

Thanks, that did it.

9. In W98, I'm used to running scandisk from DOS, then defrag in
Windows. In ME, the DOS prompt is unavailable unless I put in a boot
disk. What is recommended for scandisk in ME?


Whatever takes your fancy.

Other than the awkward step of a boot disk just to run scandisk, I guess I
run it in windows. Not recommended in W98, but OK in ME?


10. The default is apparently IE4.0, it shows installed. Is this
normal?


No. Win Me contains IE5.5.

Once in awhile, a page will only display in IE, this IE4 is unpatched, will
solve that later when I go online.

11. System Restore is disabled when I looked in misconfig, I went to
Control Panel/System...Troubleshooting, "System Restore is disabled"
. How to enable it?


By unchecking the tick box you've already located which was checked and
then immediately rebooting.


To correct my above:
In misconfig, message that system restore is disabled.
In Control Panel/System/../Troubleshooting, System Restore disabled was
unchecked, so it should be enabled, was not.
Therefore, how to enable System Restore?

New question:
I have no system CD with the used machine. I have a folder under (IIRC)
Restore, with a bunch of what look like install cab files. Thanks to Jack,
I creates a ME boot disk.

If a later crash occurs, and I loose ME, w/o the system CD, is there any
hope of restoring ME?

Does it help to copy those cab files to a CD?

Thanks again,

Mike Sa

if loose me, bot plus restore cab files?

I reply only because I am worried I previously may not have been clear:

What do you mean by your "restore of Real Mode is too extensive for me" ?


To be complete, there is an endorsed method for rebooting to Win98 DOS mode
from WinME:

Reboot to Win98 DOS from WinME
http://mvps.org/dts/WinME_DOS/Win-ME.htm
Requires the Win98 OS CD.
This is a dual-boot solution.

Note that the WinME EBD should resolve any common problem requiring DOS
mode.

And also:
"Restart Computer in MS-DOS Mode" Option Is Not Available in the Shutdown
Dialog Box"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;262846
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"ms" wrote in message ...
Jack E Martinelli wrote:
In addition to Mike's earlier comments:

Real Mode in WinME

"Overview of Real Mode Removal from Windows Millennium Edition"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;269524

"Windows Millennium Edition and Real-Mode Functionality"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;272488

"WebCast: Real Mode Removal in Windows Millennium Edition"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;325524
-----

WinME Boot Disk

How To Create a Windows Me Startup Disk Manually
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;271823

Alternatively, use www.bootdisk.com, or http://www.startdisk.com/
Download the appropriate setup file and create the bootable floppies.

Similar tools exist for creating a bootable CD.

Thanks, Jack. As mentioned in my reply to Mike, I read the above and the
restore of Real Mode is too extensive for me. I did make a boot disk from
the link and it works fine.

Mike Sa

Jack E Martinelli wrote:
I reply only because I am worried I previously may not have been clear:

What do you mean by your "restore of Real Mode is too extensive for me" ?


To be complete, there is an endorsed method for rebooting to Win98 DOS mode
from WinME:

Reboot to Win98 DOS from WinME
http://mvps.org/dts/WinME_DOS/Win-ME.htm
Requires the Win98 OS CD.
This is a dual-boot solution.

Note that the WinME EBD should resolve any common problem requiring DOS
mode.

And also:
"Restart Computer in MS-DOS Mode" Option Is Not Available in the Shutdown
Dialog Box"
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;262846

Sorry, maybe not links in your post, but between you and Mike, I read one
link that mentioned lots of changes. The above link seems very
straightforward, will try it.

Mike Sa

Mike,

Personalised Menus are menus that take into account your usage and
initially only display those entries which you have recently accessed. If
you need to view the rest of the menu click the chevrons at the bottom of
the menu.

What specific message are you seeing in MSConfig saying that system
restore is not enabled? I ask since I have never heard of MSConfig
posting any such message. What exactly do you see when you attempt to use
system restore? Either to create a checkpoint or to perform a restore. I
need to see the exact text of any error message. You might want to post
back the response to this question in a new thread with a subject such as
"unable to enable system restore".

You still haven't really explained how you connect to the net. For
example for a long time I used DUN and this was used to control an ADSL
modem connected to a usb port. The same would have been true if I had
instead had an ADSL modem connected to a network card. However if you're
using a dial-up modem and don't use an ethernet connection then I guess
you are free to do what you want with it and uninstall the drivers
although you may be prompted to reinstall them on rebooting. Just ignore
that and live with the yellow query mark in the device manager.

There's no strong reason not to run either defrag or scandisk from within
Windows other than that users with a large single partition often run into
problems of the disk being accessed during the process and the operation
restarting. In such cases the advice is to either use these utilities in
Safe Mode or to use a third party utility such as ScanDefrag (free) which
runs as the system starts and before most services or applications are
loaded so as to minimise possible interference. I've never had any
problems with either but I partition my hard disks in such a way that the
operating system partition is kept small - for Win Me 2-3GB at most, with
all data placed elsewhere including desktop, my documents object, OE
message store, etc.

I would expect you to have plenty of cab files in the C:\_RESTORE\ARCHIVE
folder not one of which would help you (re)install Win Me. You should
normally find a complete set of Win Me cab files (for example
BASE2.CAB, DRIVER5.CAB, WIN_10.CAB etc, about 25 in total and amounting to
approx 140MB) in either Windows\Options\Install or Windows\Options\Cabs
although these cab files may be located in a different folder/location.
These should be retained and if you only have a recovery CD rather than a
"full" Win Me CD the entire folder containing the CAB files burned to CD
for safety. You should then be able to install Win Me by running the copy
of setup.exe found in that folder.

BTW despite Jack's comments to the contrary I would personally strongly
urge you not to hack Win Me in an attempt to restore real mode since there
are a number of unwanted side effects. If you have either hardware or
software that requires real mode I would suggest that you should not be
using Win Me at all but rather stick with an operating system of similar
vintage to the hardware or software in question such as Win 95 or 98.

I hope that some at least of the above is of use,

Regards,
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



ms wrote:

Thanks for the help, Mike, comments below.

Mike M wrote:
ms wrote:

Mike,

1. Password screen- as suggested, deleted all *.pwl files, next
reboot, entered only username, close, rebooted again, password
screen back, just as in W98SE.


Re-read my earlier post on this subject. See also MS KB 152104 -
"How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt
at Startup" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=152104).

I will continue to work on this.

2. Accessories folder was there, hidden. Start/Programs, in the
context menu, only a few entries, need to click down arrow to see
Accessories. In W98SE, context menu has maybe 10 entries, all
visible.


As I suggested it might be. If you don't want to use personalised
menus, disable them using Start | Settings | Taskbar and Start Menu
| General and uncheck "Use personalized menus".

Please explain "personalized menus" before I uncheck something. How
does this relate to the context menu I'm seeing?

3. Error screen on bootup: "clfmon causes error in (unknown)", I
close, ME desktop finishes loading. Had this error when first ran
puter, in various steps, it went away, now back. Comment?

Probably ctfmon rather than clfmon. ctfmon.exe is not part of Win Me
but may have been added as part of say MS Office XP

Fixed, in utility, unchecked "check clfmon on startup". BTW, it was
clfmon.
4. Folder in C:\Program Files: Net Meeting- can this be deleted?


No, not if you then use a registry cleaner and later want to use
Add/Remove Programs | Windows Setup.

Ok, but I'm not clear what Net Meeting has to do with me, have no
network.
5. SMC Compact USB to Ethernet Controller- can this be uninstalled?
This is a home computer, never a network.


That's your decision to make. How to you connect to the internet
(which FYI is a network)?

Not online yet, but it will be DUN. May be wrong, but I understood
ethernet was network related, nothing like that on my W98 puter with
DUN?
7. Folder in C:\Remover - it is empty, can it be deleted?


No idea. Not part of the Win Me install.

Deleted OK

7. Config.sys- I added numlock- off, only line, saved change, file
is archive attribute, on reboot, file is empty?


Since Win Me does not use real mode neither config.sys nor
autoexec.bat are used but retained for backward compatibility for
applications that expect to see these two files. See MS KB274646 -
"Understanding the Settings in the Windows Millennium Edition
Config.sys File" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=274646)

Due to age and medical issues, I don't get into complex rework like
that. Is there an easier way to turn NumLock key off on bootup, w/o
going
into BIOS?

8. Start Menu entry: Log Off Msc.... how to delete this?


Another setting that can be configured using Start | Settings |
Taskbar & Start Menu | Advanced and unchecking "Display logoff".

Thanks, that did it.

9. In W98, I'm used to running scandisk from DOS, then defrag in
Windows. In ME, the DOS prompt is unavailable unless I put in a boot
disk. What is recommended for scandisk in ME?


Whatever takes your fancy.

Other than the awkward step of a boot disk just to run scandisk, I
guess I run it in windows. Not recommended in W98, but OK in ME?


10. The default is apparently IE4.0, it shows installed. Is this
normal?


No. Win Me contains IE5.5.

Once in awhile, a page will only display in IE, this IE4 is
unpatched, will solve that later when I go online.

11. System Restore is disabled when I looked in misconfig, I went to
Control Panel/System...Troubleshooting, "System Restore is disabled"
. How to enable it?


By unchecking the tick box you've already located which was checked
and then immediately rebooting.


To correct my above:
In misconfig, message that system restore is disabled.
In Control Panel/System/../Troubleshooting, System Restore disabled
was unchecked, so it should be enabled, was not.
Therefore, how to enable System Restore?

New question:
I have no system CD with the used machine. I have a folder under
(IIRC) Restore, with a bunch of what look like install cab files.
Thanks to Jack, I creates a ME boot disk.

If a later crash occurs, and I loose ME, w/o the system CD, is there
any hope of restoring ME?

Does it help to copy those cab files to a CD?

Thanks again,

Mike Sa

if loose me, bot plus restore cab files?

Inline...

ms wrote:

1. Password screen- as suggested, deleted all *.pwl files, next
reboot, entered only username, close, rebooted again, password screen
back, just as in W98SE.

Re-read my earlier post on this subject. See also MS KB 152104 - "How
to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at
Startup" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=152104).

I will continue to work on this.

Unless you're using M$ networking for something, delete it in Network
Properties. When you delete the .pwl files, next time it comes up
*don't* put a password in (press cancel).


Please explain "personalized menus" before I uncheck something. How does
this relate to the context menu I'm seeing?

M$ specific terminology:

"Context Menu" - actions menu tailored to a program (f'rinstance
RecycleBin's right-click menu includes "Empty Recycle Bin")

"Personalized Menus" - Start/Programs menus which only displays recently
opened programs unless you click on the double arrows; can be turned
on/off by Taskbar/Properties/General; takes a couple days to "warm up"
when turned on.

What you referred to as a "context menu" a couple posts ago is a
"Personalized menu"

Fixed, in utility, unchecked "check clfmon on startup". BTW, it was clfmon.

clfmon.exe is part of a virus. You may want to look into that.


Ok, but I'm not clear what Net Meeting has to do with me, have no network.

I don't see any reason why it can't be deleted... a bit easier to do it
through ControlPanel/AddRemoveSoftware/WindowsSetup


5. SMC Compact USB to Ethernet Controller- can this be uninstalled?
This is a home computer, never a network.

That's your decision to make. How to you connect to the internet
(which FYI is a network)?

Not online yet, but it will be DUN. May be wrong, but I understood
ethernet was network related, nothing like that on my W98 puter with DUN?

The Internet is a network... been awhile since I used DUN (Dial Up
NETWORKING)... I think the only thing you need operational is "DialUp
Network" and "TCP/IP".

Due to age and medical issues, I don't get into complex rework like
that. Is there an easier way to turn NumLock key off on bootup, w/o
going into BIOS?

not complex: when you boot hit the DEL key while it's POSTing, go into
the BIOS and look for "set NumLock Off at boot". You only have to do it
once.

Other than the awkward step of a boot disk just to run scandisk, I guess
I run it in windows. Not recommended in W98, but OK in ME?

It appears to work OK.

Once in awhile, a page will only display in IE, this IE4 is unpatched,
will solve that later when I go online.

Repeat after me... "I am running IE 5.5... I am running IE 5.5..."

Rick

Rick T wrote:

Inline...

ms wrote:

1. Password screen- as suggested, deleted all *.pwl files, next
reboot, entered only username, close, rebooted again, password screen
back, just as in W98SE.


Re-read my earlier post on this subject. See also MS KB 152104 -
"How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt
at Startup" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=152104).

I will continue to work on this.


Unless you're using M$ networking for something, delete it in Network
Properties. When you delete the .pwl files, next time it comes up
*don't* put a password in (press cancel).


Please explain "personalized menus" before I uncheck something. How
does this relate to the context menu I'm seeing?


M$ specific terminology:

"Context Menu" - actions menu tailored to a program (f'rinstance
RecycleBin's right-click menu includes "Empty Recycle Bin")

"Personalized Menus" - Start/Programs menus which only displays recently
opened programs unless you click on the double arrows; can be turned
on/off by Taskbar/Properties/General; takes a couple days to "warm up"
when turned on.

What you referred to as a "context menu" a couple posts ago is a
"Personalized menu"

Fixed, in utility, unchecked "check clfmon on startup". BTW, it was
clfmon.


clfmon.exe is part of a virus. You may want to look into that.


Ok, but I'm not clear what Net Meeting has to do with me, have no
network.


I don't see any reason why it can't be deleted... a bit easier to do it
through ControlPanel/AddRemoveSoftware/WindowsSetup


5. SMC Compact USB to Ethernet Controller- can this be uninstalled?
This is a home computer, never a network.


That's your decision to make. How to you connect to the internet
(which FYI is a network)?

Not online yet, but it will be DUN. May be wrong, but I understood
ethernet was network related, nothing like that on my W98 puter with DUN?


The Internet is a network... been awhile since I used DUN (Dial Up
NETWORKING)... I think the only thing you need operational is "DialUp
Network" and "TCP/IP".

Due to age and medical issues, I don't get into complex rework like
that. Is there an easier way to turn NumLock key off on bootup, w/o
going into BIOS?


not complex: when you boot hit the DEL key while it's POSTing, go into
the BIOS and look for "set NumLock Off at boot". You only have to do it
once.

Other than the awkward step of a boot disk just to run scandisk, I
guess I run it in windows. Not recommended in W98, but OK in ME?


It appears to work OK.

Once in awhile, a page will only display in IE, this IE4 is unpatched,
will solve that later when I go online.


Repeat after me... "I am running IE 5.5... I am running IE 5.5..."

Rick
Thanks, Rick. It's funny you said that about IE 5.5... My W98 puter came
with default 4.0, I installed 5.01SP2 which, at the time, was a "good"
version. Since then, various system utils report I have 5.5 installed,
even though I never installed it, maybe a few patches I installed silently
upgraded it?

On the ME puter, the system util reports 4.0. I use Firefox, only use IE
for a few pages coded for IE only, so when I get ready to go online, I may
either copy over from my P166 the IE 5.01 or see if 5.5 is still available
online. I don't recall if MS still offers patches to 5.5/W98SE, they don't
anymore for 5.01/W98SE.

I will go into BIOS, that numlock is irritating.

Mike Sa