I was running win98 and 2 weeks ago decided to upgrade to ME. When trying to install ME it asked if I wanted to make backup files so I could return to the original configuartion. I said yes, but then it would freeze during the backup stage. So I rebooted and started again, but the same thing kept happening. After 4 attempts, I decided not to make the backup files and just to install the ME. It worked fine and installed ME. A few days ago, I tried to install MSN instant messenger from the website, but gets to the copying files stage and freezes. I then tried to install Internet Expolrer 6 and it got to 87% and froze. I repeated the installation but only got to 96% and 100%, at which stage it freezes. Why am I having all these installation problems? Am I missing some system files? Or is it some sort of a registry problem? Can somebody please tell me how I can fix this. Many thanks.

Need more info, like what is in your system ie:CPU, mobo, RAM. How many programs are you running when you do this, do you get any error messages ? This could be a number of problems, where your system resources are low, and perhaps the computer has not locked up, but is taking a long time to process the info. Or it could be that your video card is not running correctly under ME and is locking up.

hard drive space shold let us know how big and if you got lots of room left. have a nice day

When I say it freezes when I try and install ie6, what I mean is that the instalation just seems to stop since the completed bar moves no further. I can however move the mouse and launch other applications etc. The installation just seems to halt and even after leaving it for over an hour once, there was no change, so when it freezes in this manner, I just give it the 3 fingered salute. I'm not sure what motherboard I have, but I have a 300Mhz Cirix processor, an 8MB SIS 326 graphics card, a sound card, tv card, 128RAM and 2 hard drives, a 4GB c: drive and a 540MB d: drive. I have about 1GB free on one drive and about 100MB on the other. Before I run the ie6 installation I use ctr-alt-del to close everything that is running apart from explorer. I hope this is the information you require to help me with this problem. Many thanks once again.

If you are running Norton System Works... specifically Norton System Doctor... please have a look at this Microsoft Knowledgebase article and check your INF folder: Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup, Installing Updates, or Adding New Hardware (Q281967) Please take note... The full version of Norton System Works 2000 is not compatible with Windows ME and will cause all kinds of problems.