Windows ME Boot Problems

fincher

(Help much appreciated - I've 'broken' a friends laptop!)

So far, I've tried everything I can do (see below)
My next step is to re-install Windows ME using CD.
Maybe a re-install will be the easiest and least time consuming for all.

Details:
Dell Inspiron 4000
MS Windows 4.90.3000
RAM 128MB

Symptoms:
Windows ME fails to load Windows at startup. All seems fine, everything can be heard loading, the Windows 'startup' music can be heard, but the desktop never appears (no desktop icons, no start button, no toolbar etc)
When I Ctrl-Alt-Del, all that appears to be running is Explorer.
Ctrl Alt Del seems to be the only option open to me after a normal boot.

What I did just before this happened:
Right before this problem started, I installed a driver for ADSL modem. Rebooted, and all worked, accessed the internet etc.
Modified network settings to add the PC to a WorkGroup.
Rebooted, and then windows no longer worked.

Attempted Fixes:
I followed the instructions at the link below.
(Article advises use of safe-mode and msconfig to remove all possible causes by systematically bypassing loading of various startup files)
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;273738&spid=6519&sid=156

All restarts in Normal mode after documented fix attempts failed.

any suggestions for helping to diagnose the problem would be much appreciated.

pokesquid808

yeah just try reinstall windows me. don't format and do the whole thing from scratch. just overwrite your existing windows folder. it should load the necessary files so you can get in. i'm tring to remember what needs to run for winME to start, i think it was explorer and systray thats it. so give the reinstall a shot. I would suggest moving to a new operating system though as windows me is HORRIBLE!!!

Riddick

pokesquid808 wrote:

I would suggest moving to a new operating system though as windows me is HORRIBLE!!!

i second this, through my experiences as well.