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I have an HP Pavilion w/ celeron processor 800 MHz, 20 GB ultra DMA hard drive, 128 MB SDRAM. (I'm a grandma, so hope I'm saying that correctly) I have been using Comcast HSI for 3 months and getting disconnected many, many times a day. I've called them many times also, & they have been out x2 since installing it and can never tell me why this happens over and over. One person told me to "dump ME" but I cannot afford that now. I've disconnected the modem electric connection, re set it, set various things in the Run program each time I call and am instrustructed to do this and that. Nothing works. When I'm seraching the Internet, al of a sudden I can do longer open up anything, also will find I cannot send emails. I shut it down, turn it on and usually get back on. Modem lights stay on when this happens. Using Zone Alarm, AVG in my system tray also and have put ZA on medium. Any suggestions? Is it really just stinkin' old ME? Thanks
I don't believe the problem is ME. I'd recommend reinstalling the modem, and if that doesn't work, try a new one.
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id turn off zone alarm altogether n c if that works.at least it will eliminate zone alarm as being the prob.u can check your connection speed here http://www.irishisptest.com/myspeed/ pretty accurate.post results
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Hello Diana
Firstly, don't worry about being a Grandma (I've been a Grandad for many years!) and Jennifer is right; it's not Windows ME that's your problem. Those that knock it are either working on just hearsay or haven't bothered to set it up properly. Nor, if I have deciphered AyeCarumba's lazy typing correctly, do I believe the answer is there.
Your system is very similar to mine and I also use ZoneAlarm Pro and AVG; yet my system runs like a dream, so why doesn't yours?
I have a few suggestions you might like to try.
1) Turn ZA Internet Security Zone back to High. That's not your problem.
2) Run a full system virus scan on AVG and then run all the Win Me built-in maintenance routines, especially ScanDisk and Disk Defragmentation.
3) You don't mention if you have a spyware detection program. If you do, and it's a good one, run it. If you don't then download "Ad Aware Personal SE" (It's free) and run that. SpyWare is the cause of many obscure problems.
4) Have the "MicroSoft Update" site scan your computer and ensure that all relevant Win Me updates have been applied to your system. Accept any suggested Driver updates while you are there too.
5) Restart your computer and re-run Scandisk and Defrag.
6) Shut down your computer, disconnect the power from your cable modem and wait for one minute. Reconnect the power to your modem and wait until the "Sync" and "Rdy" lights are solidly on (i.e. no longer blinking). Restart your computer and connect to the Internet.
The only difference now between your system and mine will be that you use ComCast as your ISP and I use NTL. So if you still have problems, get back onto Comcast and tell them to get it sorted!!
I would just make one final comment. 128Mb of RAM is a bit marginal. I would suggest that you upgrade to at least 256Mb. Memory is dirt cheap these days and makes a big difference to system performance.
If you want any further clarification/methodology of any of these points then please post back.
Good Luck
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Those that knock it are either working on just hearsay or haven't bothered to set it up properly. - Sorry Stuart but I have to call you on this one as you are wrong and I have seen you say similar things on other posts.
WindowsME while not as bad as it can be represented sometimes was and is a barely average OS at best. It is not any better than 98SE (nt AS good some will say) and cannot even come close to the fuctionality, security, features, scability, etc of Windows2000Pro or WindowsXP Pro. Granted it is more stable than some will say that have it half way configured on marginal hardware and do go on hear say but, I used it as part of a multi-boot OS for a few months just to know it inside and out and it was certainly lacking in many areas (networking and security in particular). If you are wondering if I even know anything about computers, I have been a NW Admin for over 10 years and have MCSE, MCSA, MDCBA, and MCDST certifications so I can back it up.
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Stuart... I've done all that already. :-) I use Ad-aware and Spybot weekly, I defrag every 5 days, I keep up on all MS updates. I have not added more memory because mine is not even half used, but you make a good point about increasing speed. I've called comcast so many times that it's getting comical at this point. Every person has a different thing to try... nothing works.
Mike didn't have any suggestions but made it sound like ME can cause problems. I just cannot afford to switch to XP as much as I would like to. I would need a new computer to do that anyway as I was told to try and use XP with this one would be like putting a Ford Falcon engine in a Mazarati... or somethng like that. So here I sit with no answers.
Aye... I tried it without Zone Alarm, did not help. I checked my connection speed as you suggested and it is
download=2.64 MBPS
upload=415kbps
roundtrip=184ms
max pause= 110ms
I do not know what all that means
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Jennifer... Comcast came out and put a new modem in and it's been disconnected and reconnected a number of times. ?????
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This may be a dumb question but, have they tested your lines (the phone company)? The reason I ask is twofold. In rural areas you may be too far away from the switching station whcih could cause issues and two, if it si an older house, you may have dirty lines. I doubt these are the issue but, it is possible. As for ME, no, I am not saying that it is the issue as ME can run fine when configured properly but, situations like this are one of it's down falls as it doesn't really give you any information on what is failing like an NT O/S would with it's event logs.
An 800Mhz PCU will run XP Pro just fine if you set it up right. You'd need a little more RAM but you can get 128MB of SD PC133 for about $15 these days on line (check at pricewatch.com).
As for your issues, when you disconnect, does ME lockup or do anyhting in particular or just knock you offline? Also are you connected via ethernet or USB to your DSL modem(forgive me if you have already listed this)? What are you doing when it knocks you offline, anything? Are you away from the pc or actively surfing? The reason I ask this is I am curious if you have the pc set to go into standby/hibernation/set to turn your HD off after a few min of inactivity (go ahead and go into power schemes in the control panel or you can access it from the power button on the screen saver tab of display properties and set everything to never (the turn off monitor/HD/standby) as a test and see if that does anything. Also, connect to the internet and hit crtl/alt/del and list all of the programs that are running so I can look at this as well.
That should be enough to start. Also, what is your e-mail address and we can converse that way as I may not be able to come here throughout the day to check for replies. I can reply to e-mail much quicker.
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Mike.... Thanks
dlbreithaupt@comcast.net
We live in suburb of Seattle, very populated. We have a land line but only use it for my husband's WebTV line. I'm connected thru Comcast cable as so is the TV. He uses the TV, of course, for his WebTV. anything there that could cause the problem? Apt is newer type so no old phone lines as far as I know. I'm not DSL but Comcast HSI broadband.Would I need help installing more RAM? Is it expensive to buy XP? Dumb questions as I could find them on line... you're just so convenient. *grin*
When I'm knocked off line I'm usually just surfing or trying to send an email. If I'm surfing I notice I cannot open a site or if writing emails cannot send it. I use OE and IE. I can get back on by shutting down and rebooting... just a real pain when it happend over and over on SOME days. Not consistent.
Standby/hibernation not on. Watch resources all the time, in fact have an icon in system tray that tells me what it is at all time. Rarely go below 50, usually more around 65-70. Feel free to email me and thanks!
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You may have actually answered your own question and not know it..The software that runs in your systray, what is it? Programs like that can cause problems. Do this, hit crtl/alt/delete one time and it will bring up a list of everything that is running and reply to the mail I am about to send with the information. It may well be a program like this that is causing the issue.
As for the RAM, very easy. If you can open the PC you can install it. I think XP runs at about $200 retails. Sorry I don't know as I have a MSDN account w/Microsoft for business where they send me all of their software via volume licensing.
Watch for the mail.
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Hi :) Just a quick note :) You can get an OEM version of XP Home for around $80 to $90 usually. Only thing differnt from the retail store ones is no book. But all the information is online that you may need to know. Check ads either from online dealers or around the Seatle area. Computer shows run regularly :)As far Windows ME, I am working on my mother's pc right now..for the 5th time...it corrupts itself to the point that even quick restore doesn't work. Dumping it and putting XP Home on it now as we type. Tired of messing around with it lol I have 4 pcs all with XP home and never had this many problems with them. Hope someone has the answers about the Comcast for you. I also use Comcast cable. Normally if it hiccups (which isn't often) I just recycle the modem then I am off and running again.
Hard work pays off in the long run!
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Kattastrophy - why not go ahead and get XP Pro, especially for networking & troubleshooting, blows home away
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Hi Diana
With all Mike's qualifications, who am I to argue with his constant exhortations that going to WinXP will solve all your problems.
Me? I have only been using computers since the days when we used to program them in machine code using 9 "click" switches and an "Enter" button on the front panel and memory consisted of ferrite cores with wires strung through them. So what do I know?
However, with my limited experience, I ask you to think about how may thousands (millions?)of people are happily running WinMe on a cable modem with no problems.
So my advice remains.
As you carried out my previous suggestions with no improvements, get back on to ComCast and tell them to get it sorted.
Best regards
Stuart
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Diana
I forgot to mention that, prior to retiring, I worked for a Cable Company (NTL, which I still use) for eight years.
Whenever any of our engineers were called out on a trouble shooting problem, they were sufficiently au-fait with home PC's to make any adjustments that were needed.
You haven't mentioned whether you also receive TV via cable. If you do, how good is your reception? They don't like doing it because of the expense but often re-pulling your cable from the local box will solve a mutitude of sins.
So I say again (sorry if it's getting boring); get back on to ComCast and tell them to sort it!
Regards
Stuart
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Fine Mike, I'm really pleased to hear that, with your help, Diana's system is now sorted.
We kinda locked horns there which I really didn't want to do. We are here to help others, not argue with each other.
Very glad to know that whoever said what, Diana now has a functioning system.
Best regards to you.
Stuart.
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no problem one thing though, never really said that ME wouldnt do the job, it was just a failed os by MS. It can run okay but, it is a delicate OS and just wasn't nearly succsefful or robust as 2K OR XP Pro. No hard feelings here. I ran it for a while just to learn it and it was okay but, you do have to really be gentle with it. I'll see you around here.
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