Windows ME won't load past Splash screen

obliviousdream · 02-10-2008, 01:05 PM

Hey everyone, I just have a few questions.

Okay, I decided I was going to upgrade my old Windows ME computer to run Ubuntu, but it decided to be mean...>_>

I can get it to load to the splash screen, but then it will take me to the screen with the different boot options. I can't get it to boot from my CD or a flash drive, and everytime I try to start it in Normal mode it completely restarts, and if I try to start it in Safe mode, I get a blue screen...

Please help.

**OldGrayGary** · 02-11-2008, 11:59 AM

Hi obliviousdream

It sounds like things didn't go well on your first try. If you have already saved any data from the old WinMe installation onto backup media, why not just try again. If you suspect the WinMe era hardware at all of showing signs of failure, run some diagnostics first - so that you know that hardware problems aren't tripping you up. If you've an UBCD around, use that (Ultimate Boot CD.. handy for testing memory & hard drives, etc. -- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com ). Or download the tools separately: test the memory with MemTest86+ --- http://www.memtest.org --- test the hard drive --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 --- Also check the Bios settings: make sure the boot order is set to CD first, and make sure the date/time aren't slipping (a symptom that the CMOS battery needs replacing --- http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...&product=94878

If the hardware & Bios Setup look OK, erase the drive (you can use a zero-write from a diagnostics package as the most thorough option, or just delete the current partitions). Then let Ubuntu have another go.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

. . . and Welcome to the Tech Support Forums.

obliviousdream · 02-12-2008, 07:17 PM

Thanks, I'll try that. I'm just hoping it will read the CD >_>

It stopped reading CDs before it stopped working, and I don't know how to fix it or what's wrong...

**OldGrayGary** · 02-13-2008, 12:25 AM

Hi again

If you continue having trouble reading CD/DVDs, see if there's another drive you can try (borrow one for a bit?).

Can I assume the system has no floppy drive? If it has a floppy drive, enter Bios Setup & set the boot order to floppy first, cd/dvd drive second, and hard drive third. That will allow you to try using a bootable floppy or bootable CD/DVD to run diagnostics.

Hope it works out
. . . Gary

02-10-2008, 01:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
obliviousdream Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows ME, Ubuntu 7.10	Windows ME won't load past Splash screen Hey everyone, I just have a few questions. Okay, I decided I was going to upgrade my old Windows ME computer to run Ubuntu, but it decided to be mean...>_> I can get it to load to the splash screen, but then it will take me to the screen with the different boot options. I can't get it to boot from my CD or a flash drive, and everytime I try to start it in Normal mode it completely restarts, and if I try to start it in Safe mode, I get a blue screen... Please help.

02-11-2008, 11:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 1,979 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Windows ME won't load past Splash screen Hi obliviousdream It sounds like things didn't go well on your first try. If you have already saved any data from the old WinMe installation onto backup media, why not just try again. If you suspect the WinMe era hardware at all of showing signs of failure, run some diagnostics first - so that you know that hardware problems aren't tripping you up. If you've an UBCD around, use that (Ultimate Boot CD.. handy for testing memory & hard drives, etc. -- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com ). Or download the tools separately: test the memory with MemTest86+ --- http://www.memtest.org --- test the hard drive --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 --- Also check the Bios settings: make sure the boot order is set to CD first, and make sure the date/time aren't slipping (a symptom that the CMOS battery needs replacing --- http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...&product=94878 If the hardware & Bios Setup look OK, erase the drive (you can use a zero-write from a diagnostics package as the most thorough option, or just delete the current partitions). Then let Ubuntu have another go. Best of luck . . . Gary . . . and Welcome to the Tech Support Forums. __________________

02-12-2008, 07:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
obliviousdream Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows ME, Ubuntu 7.10	Re: Windows ME won't load past Splash screen Thanks, I'll try that. I'm just hoping it will read the CD >_> It stopped reading CDs before it stopped working, and I don't know how to fix it or what's wrong...

02-13-2008, 12:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 1,979 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Windows ME won't load past Splash screen Hi again If you continue having trouble reading CD/DVDs, see if there's another drive you can try (borrow one for a bit?). Can I assume the system has no floppy drive? If it has a floppy drive, enter Bios Setup & set the boot order to floppy first, cd/dvd drive second, and hard drive third. That will allow you to try using a bootable floppy or bootable CD/DVD to run diagnostics. Hope it works out . . . Gary __________________