Beware Windows ME

[goofin'round]

There have been problems with Windows ME compatibality with software as well as hardware. INCLUDING Norton Anti-Virus Auto Protect...

When you go to Microsoft's support page, [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
and search out Windows ME with the search word of "software" it generates over 120 matched for known problems with various things INCLUDING printers, USB and such.....I think I'll be returning my copy as soon as it's delivered

re:Norton
This is from Microsoft's web site:

After you upgrade your computer to Windows Millennium Edition (Me) from Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition, the Norton AntiVirus 2000 Auto-Protect feature may not work. This behavior occurs even if the feature was working before the upgrade.


Also the following:

Windows Millennium Edition Setup Blocks the Following Programs and Drivers

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The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

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SUMMARY
To ensure that a Windows Millennium Edition (Me) upgrade completes and works after the installation, Setup blocks some programs, drivers, and utilities by stopping Setup and prompting you to either update the blocking software or remove it to complete Windows Me Setup.

MORE INFORMATION
The following is a list of component blocks and the associated prompt that is generated:

Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus Versions Earlier than 7.71
You are attempting to run setup with a version of Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus installed that is incompatible with this version of Windows. You will need to upgrade to version 7.71 or later, or uninstall this software before continuing.

SOS-Best Defense Version 1.0
Setup has detected that SOS-Best Defense is running on your machine. Please uninstall SOS-Best Defense using Add/Remove programs in Control Panel and then install Windows Millennium Edition.

StopLight 95 ELS Version 3.2
Setup has detected that StopLight 95 is running on your machine. Please uninstall StopLight 95 using Add/Remove programs in Control Panel and then install Windows Millennium Edition.

Select-It
Setup has detected Select-It running on your machine. Select-It has known compatibility issues with Windows Me. It is recommended that you uninstall Select-It by using Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel before upgrading to Windows Me.

BlackICE Defender Versions 1.8.6.8 and 2.0.23
The version of BlackICE Defender detected on your computer must be uninstalled prior to migration to Windows Millennium. You may re-install BlackICE after your migration is complete.

Win LT Modem Driver Version 2.16 and Earlier
This computer’s modem driver is not compatible with Windows Millennium. For information on upgrading the driver, see the Hardware Notes section in SETUP.TXT. This file is in the Win9x folder on the Windows Millennium CD.

Toshiba Windows 95 Utilities
Note that this utility must be removed by using the Toshiba uninstallation utility.
Toshiba Windows 95 Utilities is not compatible with Windows Millennium. To uninstall this service, refer to the Hardware Notes section in SETUP.TXT. This file is in the Win9x folder on your Windows Millennium CD.

MWAVE Modem Driver Version 2.60.36.0 or Later. (IBM ThinkPad Model 600E, 770X and 770Z)
The modem driver isn't compatible with Windows Me. For information about updating your driver, see the Update.TXT file in the Drivers\Modem\IBM folder on the Windows Millennium Edition CD-ROM. Once you have upgraded your modem, you can continue Setup.

Dazzle Digital Picture Maker Software Version 3.6
The driver NT1003.SYS is not compatible with Windows Me. You must connect to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] to get the updated driver. After you have updated your driver, you can continue setup or read Hardware.txt on the Windows Me CD.

Access Manager Version 1.2
Setup has determined that the version of Access Manager has known compatibility issue when installed on Windows Me. It is recommended that you contact your ISP for compatible versions before upgrading to Windows Me.






[This message has been edited by goofin'round (edited 09-18-2000).]

[kumar2000]

Me too, Goofin' round! I just read Staples' return policy and it seems simple: within 30 days for unopened software, and no restocking fees etc...
DK

[goofin'round]

The following page allows you to search the Microsoft site for the FAQ on ME and software, hardware, etc........ [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[stoned99]

You *****, this is the most reliable stable version of windows ever. I have been using it for over 9 months (as a beta tester) and have had the final version for three months. I have Norton 2000 and it works fine, just make sure you autoupdate it.

And yes there are software packages that have some issues, but most of those same software packages have fixes already (like blackice).

Don't be so dramatic.


[This message has been edited by netwrx (edited 09-19-2000).]

[nutley5@aol.com]

Stone---

Need you be so sarcastic? Since this is your first post, let me be the first to tell you that this is a friendly forum and you need not be so nasty.

[kumar2000]

Stoned99: Norton may very well have updates to fix the problem. But what bugs me about this issue is the silence that has surrounded compatibility problems with Windows ME. I bought Win 98 when it was first released, and I knew exactly what to expect when I bought it. With Windows ME it is a different story. Even to get a list of the incompatible software you have to look far and wide, and I think it sucks. Besides, I hate the idea that even Microsoft's very own Office 97 software is incompatible with Win ME. Once they have listed software as incompatible, who cares whether it works for one person or twenty? It may work for you, but if it does not work for me, the company has an easy way out: "We gave the info when you bought it!". Besides, I think it is very irresponsible not to publicise the problems with something like AOL software, which, like it or not, a LOT of people still use. I don't think any one of us here knows more about Win ME compatibility problems than Microsoft does, and if Microsoft has announced a problem I will take it with more than just a grain of salt.

In short, you are very welcome to use Windows ME if it works so well for you. I just will NOT put my money down if there is a chance of breaking something that does not need to be fixed!

DK

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by stoned99:
You idiot, this is the most reliable stable version of windows ever. I have been using it for over 9 months (as a beta tester) and have had the final version for three months. I have Norton 2000 and it works fine, just make sure you autoupdate it.

And yes there are software packages that have some issues, but most of those same software packages have fixes already (like blackice).

Don't be so dramatic.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[This message has been edited by kumar2000 (edited 09-19-2000).]

[This message has been edited by kumar2000 (edited 09-19-2000).]

[mkred]

A question anyone should ask themselves when upgrading to Windows ME is: Why am I upgrading? Is there a particular feature in Windows ME that will enhance what I am currently doing on my computer?

If your answer is no or I don't know, it may pay to wait to upgrade. I am sure Microsoft is working furiously to alleviate any bugs that have cropped up with Windows ME. They want their product to be compatible or folks won't buy it. It may pay to wait for the second edition of Windows ME which will have many of the bugs worked out. I waited for the second edition of Window 98 and it worked well with my existing software. Other people I know who had some of the same software products that I do, had a tougher time installing and running the initial version of Windows 98.

[This message has been edited by mkred (edited 09-19-2000).]

[goofin'round]

Boy are you right. I am an Idiot. I was an IDIOT for not checking out Windows ME before ordering it to see if it was compatable with my software, hardware, etc...... I was an IDIOT for assuming that if it runs on 98 without problem, it will run on ME without problems either. I was not being dramatic, but just wanted to make sure people knew that there are conflicts, and that they needed to check out the Microsoft web site in order to make an informed decision.

Better safe than sorry!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by stoned99:
You idiot, this is the most reliable stable version of windows ever. I have been using it for over 9 months (as a beta tester) and have had the final version for three months. I have Norton 2000 and it works fine, just make sure you autoupdate it.

And yes there are software packages that have some issues, but most of those same software packages have fixes already (like blackice).

Don't be so dramatic.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[kumar2000]

Don't kick yourself in the head, Goofin' round! I for one would have appreciated knowing what we now know BEFORE buying it, and sure as **** no one told us then. Besides, how many other items do we buy only to find out that they do not do what can be done with the existing versions (even though they may have some other new features)? Worst of all, instead of coming up with fixes and patches, couldn't Microsoft have at least made it fully compatible with 'in-house' software such as Office 97?

In spite of what our beta-tester says, Windows ME has incompatibility problems, otherwise Microsoft would not have admitted to them (On a related note, Mr. Beta Tester, why not write to Microsoft your glowing experiences with Win ME and how it really will not have any incompatibility problems? I am sure they will appreciate it, and take down their notices that I am sure are born out of Microsoft's ignorance).
DK


[This message has been edited by kumar2000 (edited 09-19-2000).]

[This message has been edited by kumar2000 (edited 09-19-2000).]

[stoned99]

Considering this forums title is "Internet Deals - Found a Deal", the original post was somewhat off topic to begin with.

How about we consider some of the new features that are now part of Win ME, such as its enhanced digital picture support, or its improved recovery feature (To protect those amongst us that regularly screw up our computer by installing AOL), or maybe the critical updates feature that works so well, the improved boot time, augmented by the new hibernate feature (The list goes on).

I don't believe Microsoft hides information, you yourself said it is available on the microsoft homepage, and on top of this disclosure they offer an no questions asked money back policy.

And Oh!!, on the subject of AOL, why do I not hear similiar complaints on this board about AOL's habit of placing an icon on my desktop (without my permission), begging my kids to please click here, or refusing to be uninstalled.

IMHO, if you post negative comments, expect to receive negative comments back...