Hi, my computer is also dying. I have Windows ME with 64mb of ram & 13.5 gb of hard disk and have a broadband connection.
I have run scandisk, anti-virus, spyware & adware programs and have no virus'. I have deleted unwanted files from the start-up\run\msconfig facility (except PTsnoop-I'm not sure about that), have added Firefox as my preferred choice but still the msconfig status shows only 35% - 40% free (I believe it should be at 70%). I am at a loss to know what else to do. Is there something I'm missing? or maybe an easy answer (I'm only a beginer)!. Would be grateful for any assistance.

Hey Jimbo & welcome.

Now you know what I'm going to say...don't you?? RAM...RAM....RAM.....(shall I stop now?)

Seriously tho, you need to get some more memory. The more you throw at your PC the more it is going to slow down, Windows just can't cope! If you need help selecting/sourcing the right RAM then just holler!

Thanks but................I only use my PC for simple s/sheets, e-mail & photo enhancement. I am advised that the problem is with the startup memory cache (?) in windows ME. On start-up & shut-down, there is a photo showing (I can't find out where it resides) and I think that may be the problem. I seem to be losing operating memory fast.
However, taking yr point re RAM, I am new to all this. Where do I get RAM from & how do I add it?? Does it mean 'opening the box?? I have a 5 yr old self build PC & wonder if it's coming to the end of it's days. Jimbo.

Run msconfig: follow this guide

http://www.pchelpforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=277.0

Strip out anything that you don't think should be running on start up.

Also, let Windows mange its own swap space - right click "My Computer" select properties then the system tab > set the Paging file/Virtual memory to "Let Windows manage".

I need to double check something:
you advise that when accessing the start-up tab in the System Config Utility, there will be a 'disable all' option...........not on my Windows ME there is'nt. Should I just uncheck all the items individually and add the important ones back? Sorry to be a pain but this is all new to me. Also, how do I know whats important (eg ptsnoop etc???)

It's no problem jimbo - if you need help identifying the good programs from the bad just copy and paste the list here and we'll look at it.

Could'nt cut & paste so...................

SpySweeper Spyware Doctor Scan registry
PCHealth System Tray LoadPowerProfile
ccapp ccRegVfy Advanced Tools Check
Symantec Netdriver Monitor REGSHAVE Easy Print Toolbox
NPROTECT Microsoft Works Update Det Loadpowerprofile
SSDPSRV *State Mgr NPROTECT
Scriptblocking Nisum ccPxySvc
StillImageMonitor KB891711 DSLMON
NKVMON.exe Exif Launcher
Load=
Run+

Thnx