I am running Win ME and my computer is acting really strange. It is slow and the mouse is shaky and slow. Explorer throws up Kernel 32 and Unknown error messages when I close it and sometime it won't open. I ran a virus scan with Nortons and AVG and they both indicate no virus is detected. I want to restore my computer to an earlier date but the last set point was Nov. 2002. I tried to manually set a restore date but it won't let me. I get a message telling me I can't set a restore date and to restart my computer and try again. I need some help with this ASAP. I hope someone out there can help me.

Also, If I upgrade to Win XP might this help?

Sounds like any one of several different problems.

1) You don't have all of the Windows Updates. Due to a bug in the ship level code for System Restore, System Restore quit working about two years ago. The update is required, and with it you must Disable System Restore and then enable it again before it starts working.

2) You have disabled *StateMgr in the Startup list. System restore does not work and set automatic checkpoints if *StateMgr is not started.

3) The System Restore control files are corrupted. This will cause System Restore not to set restore points, slow down the system and waste disk space by not releasing disk space when needed. Only solution is to Disable System Restore, reboot and enable it again (with the fix from Microsoft and *StateMgr running).

And your virus scans do not detect and remove most of the ADware and Spyware that cause the system to slow down.

See: Windows ME Fixes page for a whole list of things to check that could be causing your system to slow down.

Thanks so much. I'll try as many of these as I can if my system will allow it. I keep getting so many error messages and IE, MSN Explorer ad well as Netscape keeps freezing up forcing me to have to restart. It is insane over here.

I tried the fixes listed above but to no avail. I am at a loss as to what to do next. I ran another virus scan just to be on the safe side and it still turns up no viruses detected. At this point, will upgrading to Windows XP over ride Windows ME and fix these problems I am having? Desperation is setting in over here!

*Thanks in advance for any helpful hints.

maplef49,

What's the exact error messages, you are receiving?

Have you run/used any updated spyware/adware cleaners, such as Ad-Aware/Spybot S&D? (Links, are here)

How much free space, do you have on your HD?

Go Start... Run... Type; qfecheck Press Enter. This will call the "Update Information Tool". Click the + sign, beside the WinME. Now, do you see one starting with UPD290700? If you don't, here is that update, for system restore.

You have verified, that *StateMgr in the startup list, is checked, yes. (Start... Run... Type; msconfig Press Enter, click the Startup (Tab).

This, is a MS article, that might be of some use. Try "Method 1" & "Method 2", to see if it helps, with the restore problem.

Any problems showing in "Device Manager" (Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click Device Manager (Tab)

Good Luck,
CrazyOne

Me again ;-) That should of been try Method 1 & Method 3. The brain wonders sometimes :-) Or, it's just doing what it was taught ;-) Two, does follow one :-)

Later,
CrazyOne

maplef49, CrazyOne knows a LOT about ME and probably has your answer. There is another thing you might try, dunno if it will help, can't hurt. Sounds like a virus to me. Know there was one which produced the symptoms you describe.
Be aware that ME and XP both have a feature called 'Restore'. A nasty can hide there and since it is a 'Windows' file, Windows won't allow any alteration so long as it is active.
The solution is simple (assuming that's the problem), TEMPORARILY disable Restore (in order to 'unprotect'), scan/clean, re-enable restore and try again. May have to reboot.
If nothing else seems to do the trick, give that a whirl (with crossed fingers) and see if it helps.???
HTH.
Ed in Texas.

If Crazy One's suggestions haven't worked, I'd go a bit further on Ed's and say disable system restore and then do your scans from Safe Mode.

Also, take a look at all your connections--mouse, keyboard, all of them, everything. Look at any possible physical problem like that.

Thresher