Mu motherboard and hd both fried. So when I put in new ones, i upgraded to XP from ME.
Since then, nothing has worked very well.
How do I get XP off of my machine and go back to ME without doing a complete re-format?

Unfortunately, XP doesn't have an uninstall feature. You'll need to reformat to clean the XP os off the hard drive, then install os of your choice. If you used ntfs on the XP os, you'll need to delete it as well and format using FAT for Windows ME. :)

As with any new operating system, it is far better to do a fresh install rather than upgrade, the install paths and directory structure are different in an upgraded system. xp will be more secure using NTFS file system

Unfortunately, XP doesn't have an uninstall feature. You'll need to reformat to clean the XP os off the hard drive, then install os of your choice. If you used ntfs on the XP os, you'll need to delete it as well and format using FAT for Windows ME. :)

how do u format your hard drive

how do u format your hard drive

I use fdisk.exe to partition and format.com to format. Both are included with most older versions of DOS and Windows.

YOU HAVE TO FDISK IT COMPLETE, RE FORMAT WITH ME DISK THEN FDISK IT WITH ME CD, THEN FORMAT IT, THEN RE INSTALL ONLY WAY.


edit- moderator 01-15-2004
Wayne,
Turn your caps lock key off or I will delete all your future posts.

how do u format your hard drive

Ralphie, Can you get someone to help you do this?
FDISK can be confusing to a novice.
You will need a startup disk from a W'98 or ME machine. (I prefer the '98 one myself. Get a friend to make one for you. It will allow you to boot up your machine outside of the operating system. The first time you can start up without CD support as you won't need it. Type 'FDISK" at the "A:\" prompt. You will need to delete the existing partition and make a new primary partition. After you have done the FDISK, you need to re-boot with the floppy again and type "FORMAT C:". This will format your HD. Then you need to reboot with the floppy again, but this time choose "start with CD support". Put in the 'ME CD and navigate to the CD by typing "E:". Type "STARTUP" at the "E:\" prompt and just follow the prompts to install ME. ( the CD usually is at "E:", but type "DIR" to make sure. If that isn't the CD, try some other letters, "D,F,G,etc).
Personally I would stay with XP unless it is an economic issue. It is a much better system after you get over the learning curve.

I upgraded to XPhome from ME & ended up in major crash- 5/6 calls later to 1-800-gateway they diagnosed my motherboard being fried (they replaced it less than 2 yrs ago but my warranty ran out in Dec). They had me run fdisk etc & it kept coming back with this is not a gateway computer when the ME disc was put in. Rather than send it to gateway I took it to a locale repair place & now have XPpro & a new fan (same motherboard!- $200 instead of $300 + shipping + 3-4weeks wait). I then struggled to get my scanner, printer & sound working but have yet to figure out my fax- it keeps saying I'm missing files. The reason I finally got the XP was because of all the ME headaches & no-one I know being familiar with it & this, being my 1st, came with ME when it was a new OC. Wish you luck

Ralphie, Can you get someone to help you do this?
FDISK can be confusing to a novice.
You will need a startup disk from a W'98 or ME machine. (I prefer the '98 one myself. Get a friend to make one for you. It will allow you to boot up your machine outside of the operating system. The first time you can start up without CD support as you won't need it. Type 'FDISK" at the "A:\" prompt. You will need to delete the existing partition and make a new primary partition. After you have done the FDISK, you need to re-boot with the floppy again and type "FORMAT C:". This will format your HD. Then you need to reboot with the floppy again, but this time choose "start with CD support". Put in the 'ME CD and navigate to the CD by typing "E:". Type "STARTUP" at the "E:\" prompt and just follow the prompts to install ME. ( the CD usually is at "E:", but type "DIR" to make sure. If that isn't the CD, try some other letters, "D,F,G,etc).
Personally I would stay with XP unless it is an economic issue. It is a much better system after you get over the learning curve.