I recently bought a used computer with Win ME already installed as the first and only OS. I didn't get any prg disks from the seller who apparently had lost most of them. I hate winME for a wide variety of reasons and do not want to keep it -please do not respond with reasons why I should. I still have the original win98SE OEM disks from my old defunct computer. I would like to replace ME with SE. Now the complications! There are some applications on the ME machine I need to keep, but don't have the install disks to reinstall them under a fresh install of win SE. I am also concerned about losing the drivers and network setup for my cable modem if i do a fresh install of SE. Is there any way I can install winSE over winME and Preserve the ability to run the existing apps on the newer machine? Remember, I don't have the install disks for them. I saw the suggested method below on the net. Do you think it would work without creating problems -or is there a better way? _________ "I have just sucessfully 'downgraded' Windows ME to Windows 98 SE. This Is Exactly How I Did it: 1- Boot into WinME and run regedit a)export & delete hkey_local_machine/enum b)delete c:\windows\win.com 2- Shutdown and Boot to win98se (OEM) CD 3- Continue to install win98 ignoring errors on the restart. The Only Problem I have is that im left with "media" in control panel instead of "sound, video and game contrillers". Amazingly the me drivers all worked in 98! (except the modem)" ________ Many thanks in advance for 'how to do it right' advice on this issue!!

I dont know about the Regedit but if you use a 98 startup disk to boot then go to c:\windows del win.com goto your cd-rom drive "d" or "e" with our 98 disk in it type cd win98 then type setup it shound install over ME as win.com holds the windows settings. Good Luck

Hi Gorberl, You should not lose your application going from WinME to Win98. I say going from vise downgrading to as in my opinion it is still an Upgrade to go from WinME to Win98. Anyhow the above may work but I would do it a little different. In step #1 above the enum key mentioned in the registry is a reference to all the hardware drivers on your PC. It is not the actual drivers just a reference. You do not need to export and delete the references as the drivers are located elsewhere on the hard drive. You could delete the enum key above if you were taking a hard drive from one PC and placing it into another with different hardware and windows would detect the new hardware and you would have to load the drivers for the new hardware without any conflicts. Also mentioned in Step #1 was to delete the win.com. Not good advise. I would rename win.com to something like win.old If you have problems you can then rename it back to win.com Step #2 I belive they meant to shutdown and restart using a Win98 Boot Disk. Not Sure. Step #3 I don't believe this deserves a comment. With that said here is what I would do in your situation. First write down the network settings. 2. Download Belarc Advisor. Run it and print it out. This will list all of your hardware and software. 3. Download the drivers for your cable modem to a floppy or even save them to a new folder on your C: drive as it will not be erased during the install. If the WinME drivers for the other hardware is not compatable with Win98 you can still download them off of the internet and by using Belarc Advisor you know exactly what drivers you will need for the hardware. 4. Download a Win98 Boot disk. 5. Insert the boot disk and start the computer with CD ROM support. At the A: type C: and Enter. At the C: type cd windows and Enter. Type rename win.com win.old and Enter. 6. Run Setup from the CD. Here is a link to Belarc and a Boot Disk. BELARC ADVISOR BOOTDISK The Boot Disk should be extracted from Windows to a floppy. Just insert a floppy and click on the downloaded file in Windows HTH Good Day! Mesich

Many thanks to the respondents above! Re steps suggested by Mesich. Would I not lose function of all the applications I have on the computer when 98SE install overwrites the ME Registry? This is of concern because I don't have the install disks for any of them and need to be able to use the apps. Its unfortunate that Micro$haft decided to create a 3 database Registry in ME; I don't know how to export the software keys to a 2 database win98SE registry or if it's even possible. I share Mesich's opinion that win98SE is an UPGRADE over winME!!

Gorberl, I have extra PC's and hard drives. I will install WinME and some applications and covert it to Win98 to double check the applications. I don't normally second guess myself and I have successfully downgraded from WinME to Win98, 95% sure using the above method. I would rather spend the time double checking myself before advising you 100% that you will not lose your applications. Give me just a bit as the kid is getting out of school and I must make a quick trip back to work. I will post back. Good Day! Mesich

Hi Mesich! Many thanks for your kind offer above! If I remember correctly, apps need the location and other info stored in the software keys in the registry to for them to run. (I could be wrong on this.) I am speculating that the win98SE install would overwrite the ME Registry and not be able to extract the software keys from it aforehand. Maybe I am wrong - I hope so. As I understand it, 98 uses a 2 database Registry whilst ME uses 3 databases for its registry. Again many thanks for your help! Gorberl

Gorberl, I am still with you. I could not find my copy of WinME so I am headed out to get a copy. I have a license for 10 copies but now I have no media! Not an issue though. I just wanted to let you know I have not forgot and do not want to lead you wrong, even though I have performed this task. I shall post back soon. Take Care, Mesich