Hello WinMe Users,

This another of those "how on earth did I forget this one". It is probably the one thing I remember today that the techie, who worked for the local company, told me as he made some set-up changes to my new. and first-ever computer. "Always", he said, "always use these settings". And I always have.

These Power Options (located in Control Panel) offer many combos of settings. The ones to which I refer are these:

TAB 'Power Schemes' Select Always On

'Settings for Always On power scheme'

'Turn off monitor'......Never
'Turn off hard disks'..Never
'System stand by'.....Never

NB. This is a power scheme. Many of us don't realise this. So when you reduce your Startup load to bare essentials - these:

Under HKLM/Run
'LoadPowerProfile'
'ScanRegistry'
'SystemTray'
'TaskMonitor'

Under Services
'StateMgr'
'KB891711'
'KB916547'
'LoadPowerProfile'

8 in all plus

your A/V, your Firewall and nothing else; those two 'LoadPowerProfile' entries reflect your having a Power Scheme

I include 'TaskMonitor' because it is needed to fuel the Applog which is so important in the most efficient functioning of Disk Defragmenter. See my post in this thread here.

The easiest way to control what runs at Startup is this "Startup Control Panel" from Mike Lin here.

Cheers.

Ben.









'

Hello Winme users,

Those of whom live in Canada or nearly so or who don't and aren't and still are interested:

If I may I will allow images to speak the volumes addressing my subject.

A certain chagrin.




But of course, the dependable one.



That says it.

Ben.

Hello WinMe users,

In my POST 93 I gave links 1 - 4 where testers might be downloaded for the following:

1. Ram
2. Java
3. WD Hard Drives
4. Maxtor Hard Drives

This post is an update.

In the RAM (or Memory) testing the MS tester is still available here. However an improved method of testing is now available from memtest.org here. The latter takes almost twice as long as the former (on my system - 55mins).

To the Java test link (which still works) here I add a second link here (same result different page different fun pic) - take your pick!

The Western Digital Hard Drive's tester link is back working and is here.

The Maxtor (now part of Seagate) is here.

Cheers.

Ben.

Hello WinME users,

Since cleaning my Celeron 636mHZ CPU assembly (fan and renew paste) see here, I have had an added interest in things CPU. This has primarily involved keeping a watchful eye on the temperatures associated with both the heaviest and lightest usage.

For this purpose I use Motherboard Monitor (vers. 5.3.7) from here.

My particular CPU has a maximum operating temperature of 80*C and I have the audible alarm set for 60*C. However it is rare that the temp. goes much above 40*C and I have never had an alarm.

The mobo monitor records these as my 'optimum' temps (computer at rest):
and I attach a GIF of Process Explorer (from here) showing precisely what is running at this time of 'no activity' (on my part).

I thought it might be useful if I put the computer to work (with apps running and windows open) and got the CPU temp. up to about its average of 40*C then closing all, and, with no further input on my part, seeing how long this CPU would take to recover those 'optimum' temps. I should perhaps mention my system (a desktop one) is in a location where the ambient temperature is close to 18*C - my preference.

My CPU will recover in 8 minutes - give or take a few seconds. My tower has open sides, each covered with dust and smoke protecting cloth.

I have a very basic system and use it extremely modestly. However what I am suggesting with this post is that it is perhaps useful for users to gather something like this kind of information about their computers. Our cars (vehicles) we are attuned to so why not our computers?

I hope that is of some interest.

With best wishes,

Ben.

P.S. This thread's summary #7 is well under way for the month's end; and I have an idea or two with regard to a post in preparation about desirable (my view) freewares, scans and links generally.

Freewares to swear by, and on-line scan sources too - Hot damn ,
and other links of interest.

Freewares.

Aida32. System detail in depth.
All Purpose Spell Checker. (APSC). Palware. The super spell check.
Belarc Advisor. Details of all installed incl. Windows Updates.
Boot Log Examiner. Blue Orb. How does your computer fare on startup?
CableNut. Optimise your IP connection.
CleanIE. Quick and efficient.
Convert. Simple and accurate. 22 conversion tables.
Cut and Paste. Character count. TSG allows a max of 30,000 characters in Posts.
Desktop Locker. A simple tool for preventing access to one's computer.
Everest. Aida32's successor - if you prefer it.
FastStone Capture. Screen capture - last freeware version.
HiJackThis. Trend Micro. What's what behind the scenes.
HTTrack. Copying a website made simple.
Icon Restore. keep you desktop in order.
i.e.Spell. Checker.
Index.dat Suite. Ur I.T. Mate. What is Windows allowing storage of?
IrfanView. Making image changes of all kinds.
jv16PT. Registry Cleaner and more. Jouni Vuorio. (version 1.3.0.195 is the one you want).
Motherboard Monitor. Watch those temperatures.
Mozilla Firefox. The 'mystery' machine - it sits comfortably alongside I.E.
MRUBlaster. Tiny tool - big punch.
MVP's HOSTS file. You cannot do without this.
MVP's Rename BAT file. This switch allows you to see why not.
MySpeed. PC Lite. Are you getting your money's worth?
NisTime. Hotline to the atomic clock.
Process Explorer. Mark Russinovich. (new to this thread = I forgot it).
RealOne Player. The controlable version. 1.0 (=7.0.0.1364)
RegSeeker. Hover Inc. Registry cleaner and more.
RegSrch (Registry Search)Bill's Way. (vbs). Revealing left overs from uninstalls.
ScanDefrag. Blue Orb. The very best tool combination to clean, scan and defragment.
StartUpCPL. Mike Lin. What is loading on startup? Perhaps you don't need it.
StartUp Monitor. Mike Lin. You are in charge of what tries to join the startup list.
SUPER Anti-Spyware. Freeware version recommended by security techies.
testmy.net. A second IP connection check and forum if you need it.
Tree Size. Allows a clear view of all stored on your hard drive(s).
*Unicows.dll. Copy it from Windows Media Player or Java or Adobe.
VLC Media Player. A splendid alternative player. It also needs *unicows.dll.
Voodoo. O.E. Spell Check.
Windows Script 5.6 (Build 8831) You may find you need this.


On-Line Scans.

Panda Online Scan.
HJT log checker. Use with utmost discretion.
Jotti file scan for virus.
Trojan Scan.
McAfee Site Advisor. Check-out that site you are wondering about -


The Complete lists of the folder contents in Windows Millennium - Parts 1 - 10

For the connoisseur, of course, (or the plain curious).

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;272253
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272606/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272608/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272610/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272612/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272634/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272636/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272638/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272639/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272640/en-us

Cheers,

Ben.

The words 'POST' are links. And all other links given are revisions. In some instances, where the post is a brief one, I have given all the information contained in the original. I have also edited or even removed some posts as being no longer of interest. Post titles, tips and tweaks in RED are deemed significant or especially worthwhile.


POST 1... "For WinME Users Only"

Jack Gulley's web page on Windows Millennium which prompted this thread. Here.

POST 3... "More Millennium"

On System Restore - a link to an excellent thread in TSG. Here and a Google search here.

POST 16... "For the Faithful"

The Delindex Link (The best clean-up WinME freeware) & The RegSeeker link (tweaks and registry clean) New Version here & Old Version: here.

POST 17... "ME Talk"

Boot Log Examiner (How does your computer fare on Startup?) - Link.
Plus:
ScanDefrag (automated Disk Cleanup, Scan Disk and Disk Defragment freeware) - Link
MS Splash Screen - remove on Boot-up - Tip/Tweak
Shortcuts to Shutdown and Restart - Tip/Tweak
Enabling DMA - Tip/Tweak and a Link
Expanding Control Panel - Tip/Tweak
The second great WinME Tips/Tweaks website - Link.

POST 24... "In Post #17" above

ShellIconCache (remove/resize/restore). The link given in this post to the Microsoft Community Newsgroups is now obsolete. Do this: Go to Start > Search > enter: shelliconcache. If the folder returned is larger than is reasonable (say 1,000kb or more) delete it and re-start. Windows will recreate the folder and reduce its size. N.B. This is a hidden system folder so you will have to unhide those. Go to Start > Settings > Folder Options > View and scroll down to the appropriate settings (there are three of them). See flavallee's Sticky this forum here.

POST 30... "Some Useful Links"

Various links, including the excellent vb2java cleanie freeware - link and a revised link to HijackThis 1.99.1 Here. This is Merijin's version. For TrendMicro's one go here.

POST 35... "Where is My Product Key?"

Product Key: find it if it exists! - link
'Bills Way' - link to his (Bill's) visual basic freeware site especially his RegSrch.vbs registry search one. Use this after un-installing anything - you will be surprised & it's very simple to use. Here.

POST 43... "Problems with Symantec Norton Anti-Virus?"

Link to MS Newsgroups for WinME listing these categories... Applications. Display. Games. General. Hardware. Internet. Movie Maker. Multimedia. Networking. New User. Power Management. Printing. Setup. System Tools.

Also: About Norton A/V and McAfee A/V (as resource hogs and trouble-makers)

POST 46... "Perhaps of interest to WinME Users"

"Bare Essentials" (Some ideas on Security - mine).

POST 52... "Assorteds"

Tweaks:
Virtual Memory Management.
Active Scripting Disablement (One of the most interesting of the WinMe tweaks!).
DirectX check-out (Is yours working efficiently?)
Startup Axis (Don't burden your computer from the word 'Start').
Maintenance of software/hardware - routines. And a very good website on cleaning. Here.
Tweaks re resource excess usage.

POST 57... "Take Care When Applying Tags"

Take care when applying the TAGS in creating a post in TSG.

POST 65... "By Way of Information"

This forum and its original purpose (a nag). A Sun Java important update. and a revision - here to moderator dvk01's post on the need to update Java (re: Vundo infections).

POST 77... "Password Protection for WinME"

Desktop Locker v1.0 freeware (prevent easy access to your desktop) - here.

POST 82... "Security: A Personal View"

A final (well almost! ) word on my security thinking.

POST 83...

MenuShowDelay
Lightning fast menu display - your choice of lightning speed or less.

An intro. to jv16pt originally a freeware registry cleaner (and still one of the best). It is available here. Version 1.3.

POST 84... "Security Anyone???"

Search engine searching - risks disclosed - BBC Tech Article here re: Risky search engine terms.

POST 93... "Testing and Testers"

But see POST 333 below for the updates.

POST 94... "Rootkits - For the Security Conscious"

A review of Rootkit Detector Software (Based on TSG thread here).

POST 100... "Updates and a Caution. Removing those Index.dat files"

Windows Updates Catalog for use if you do a Format and Install of WinME. Here.

POST 108... "For those in fear and trembling"

Two quotes. Honest, I failed to use the quote tags on the second, which, while somewhat re-assuring, is a bit mixed-up! The quote I mean. I hope.
P.S. (In a whisper) - I think it maybe acredited to Noel P. MVP.

POST 109... "Rename Recycle Bin"

Renaming your Recycle Bin. Here.

POST 110... "Current List of Applied MS Hotfixes for WinME"

The Windows Millennium Complete list of Updates as in June '06.

POST 118... "A Rant known as "Threats - Known and Not So"

POST 134... "Stickies"

Re the Sticky here in this 'Tips and Tricks' forum. A clarification of which is given in this post (134).

POST 139... "The Resource Issue in Windows 9x"

The Resource Issue in Windows 9x. With links to expert opinion and guidance.

POST 151... "Illumination by Song and Dance"



POST 153... "A little of this and that"

The new RegSeeker. Link,
Uninstalling WMP9. Link,
More on Rootkits. Link,
AVG Free to remain available. Link.
Streaming Video. Suggestions. And this update: When logging-in to a stream make sure your I.E.6 settings under Security > Internet > Custom > Settings > Folder Options > View and scroll down to the appropriate settings (there are three of them). See flavallee's Sticky this forum here.

POST 158... "Prettier and prettier"

Two of the best and most useful freewares - from Mike Lin - StartUpCPL and StartUp Monitor here.

POST 161... "Don't update this video card!"

IF you don't have an ATI video card then skip this post. However if you do have one and it is an ATI Rage 128 GL SD AGP or the PRO version of that card or the Rage Fury, then this post may be of serious interest.

POST 172... "WordPad & its default font"

"As a comparatively confused novice in the more esoteric innards of WinME I have managed to find a way of getting a satisfactory outcome for myself. When I click on a Desktop shortcut to WordPad it opens to my preferred Font, Style and Size..."

POST 176... "Sun Java Updates - A revision"

On the Sun Java Runtime for Millennium - Links (lotsa).

Oh Sun Java... The third link in the post is incorrect now - just ignore it.

POST 183... "Threats to MS Word... "

"Triple threat targets Word users". Here.

POST 184... "Format and Install Windows Millennium"

On Formatting C: and Re-installing Millennium. And Links.

POST 185... "Partitioning a Hard Disk"

On Partitioning or Re-partitioning a Hard Drive. And lotsa Links.

POST 186... "Those Confounded Settings in Internet Explorer 6"

On the settings in I.E.6 and O.E.6. Link.

POST 191... "The most amusing and puzzling MS solution".

Yuk, why do I need "Shortcut to" as well as an arrow?

POST 192...Don't go to this post The link given below is the correct one.

Keep your computer clock set with the accuracy of the atomic clock from here.

POST 198... Some observations, tips and so forth...

POST 199... "Virus alert for Europeans & all of us"

Here and here.

POST 201... "Sizing the tree"

TreeSize
Another superb freeware. An earlier version (my preference) here. Current version here.

POST 202...

The best way to to stash the Windows Updates. Thanks ekim68 (Mike).

POST 209... "The whole world. A patch for all"

POST 217... "HijackThis x 2"

POST 218... "Treating your WinME machine to two probably needed specials"

Cleaning the CPU fan and replacing the CMOS battery.

POST 221... "Security and Mozilla Firefox"

Security. Mozilla Firefox the great one. The Beeb (BBC) and a con. The first link to the BBC is here revised.

POST 223... "Relationships - CMOS and Battery, BIOS and... "

POST 224... "The latest".

New version ScanDefrag. The 'walk the dog' and 'let it work and shutdown the rig' - no-problem super- efficient freeware. And a decision about which of two HijackThis' to use.

POST 225... "The learning never stops"

The APPLOG and its potential for causing problems.
I have, obviously, an interest in either voodoo or in birds of a different feather. Or both! It's a spell check for O.Express and a very good one.

POST 229... "More on the Applog"

The registry tweaks which prevent further logging. Links. But now see POST 231 below

POST 231... "Re-thinking the Applog, TaskMonitor and Defragmenting"

A mind changes.

POST 237...

ekim68 (Mike) shares some of the insights gained in his work as a Computer Technician and

POST 238...

Mike again.

POST 241...

J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update? Tips for installing it and subsequent ones too. These are still current (01-JAN-2008)

POST 243...

More Mike.

POST 251...

Stoner (Jack) looks at things to come... and

POST 252...

More Jack.

POST 253...

Mike joins in... and again.

POST 254... Here.

POST 261...

Mike shares more of his experience.

POST 264... "As promised"

The Power Supply. A Saga. Viruses !! Recovery Disks. Do not attempt to clean your optical scroll-wheel mouse!

POST 265...

Stoner (Jack) responds to the above post 264.

POST 266...

On a Router (quoted below). And a link to an interesting thread elsewhere in TSG.

"And as for the router question I mentioned here (scroll way down) I think it resolved. I now believe it safe to say that the settings/configs of a (working) router do not include any which render it useless and working. See this thread here"

POST 269... "Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File"

A Host's File Recommendation and a Link.

POST 277... "Acronis TrueImage 7"

My summation of the sort-out.

N.B. The free version of Acronis True Image 7 is no longer available. However Acronis are offering a trial (25days) download of version 11. See here. And I have learnt the owners of Seagate and Maxtor hard disks can use the Seagate Disc Wizard (d/load size 104MBs) see here, which uses Acronis technology (see here) to create a back-up of a drive. This update dated 01-JAN-2008.

POST 279...

In Memoriam - Marlene.

POST 280 and POST 281

Tributes from ekim68 and Skivvywaver respectively.

POST 282... "Another (and better) Spell Checker"

An excellent Spell Check from PalWare. The APSC 4.0 here. Thanks, BobJam. (BJ).

POST 286... "The magic and the mystery"

The vB Code is the magic. Firefox 2.0.0.5 (the latest version BTW) is, for me, still the mystery.

POST 291... "A freeware tool par excellence"

A website copy tool. Link.

Freeware and Open Source. Link.

POST 292... "Deleted files will not leave Recycle Bin"

A thread for the record, I think.

POST 293... "This is not a contradiction"

Some suggestions about security and a great freeware for that purpose.
And
POST 294... "The forgotten"

The gifs I forgot in the previous post!

POST 298... More on the mysterious fox named Mozilla Fire. Speeding it up. And more on images in posts using it.

POST 300... "Speeding-up Mozilla Firefox" More of the same.

POST 309... "Instant Lock - A change of heart."

POST 314... "Happy Halloween and Guy Fawkes nights..."

Those time changes and the way to fix them in compliance with the new allocations.

POST 316... "Sun Java Update" Java 1.5 Runtime 5.0. Update 14.

POST 321... "An unwanted icon change reversed"

I was pleased to be obliged to look further that I had previously done into File Types and the Icons associated with them.

POST 331... "WinMe: The Power Options"

This another of those "how on earth did I forget this one". It is probably the one thing I remember today that the techie, who worked for the local company, told me as he made some set-up changes to my new. and first-ever computer. "Always", he said, "always use these settings". And I always have.

N.B. It is not possible to have NO Power Scheme in Windows Millennium.

POST 332... "A certain unhappiness or Une certaine tristesse"

WinMe suffers another insult...

POST 333... "Testing your computer's memory and more"

1. Ram
2. Java
3. WD Hard Drives
4. Maxtor Hard Drives

This post is a complete update to this previous one.


POST 334... "A CPU: Loaded & Unloaded".

Keeping a weather eye on your CPU's health and well-being.

POST 335..."The tried and the true"

A complete list of freewares. Online scans. The entire list of Windows Millennium folder contents. Parts 1 - 10.

And not a post - these:

Jack Gulley: On Storing Windows Updates. Here

A tweak: In Control Panel > System > Performance > File System, in the drop-down box against "Typical role of this computer" select 'Network Server'. (This is whether or not your computer has that role). And see here for that and other tweaks for the File System.


And finally:

Java Update to Update 14?... NOT as on 01-JAN-2008


My thanks to all contributors to this thread.

With best wishes for this new year,

Ben. aarhus2004

Wow, good summary for the new year, Ben. And here's a site that measures download and upload speeds for internet service, and it works with ME.

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

I found this freeware utility to be a good system information tool. It's was developed by Microsoft and is compatible on all versions of Windows. Here's an introduction:

This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows Me and XP.

Autoruns' Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option helps you to zoom in on third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system and it has support for looking at the auto-starting images configured for other accounts configured on a system. Also included in the download package is a command-line equivalent that can output in CSV format, Autorunsc

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

Mike, my apologies. I had gone to the site you gave (soon after you posted it) and, thinking I had to sign-in, attempted to do so and was frustrated - so gave up. And forgot all about it.

It works fine without any need to sign-in. And it's no-fuss display pleases me too. Good link. Thanks, Mike.

Ben.

Hello Joe,

I have been sleeping! Thank-you for posting the details and link to what sounds like an interesting and challenging yet modestly-sized freeware. I have it downloaded and may have more to say about it. I hope you will share your experience with it too, Joe.

Cheers.

Ben.

Thanks Joe, I'll try it too....

Hello WinMe users,

Q: Who needs this freeware?
A: Anyone whose fascination with the workings of a Windows O/S is ongoing.

Q: Is it for Geeks?
A: Ask them. I don't know.

Q: Is it useful for a newbie?
A: Not really, since using a computer is challenge enough.

Q: Is it user friendly?
A: Absolutely.

Q: Does the user have input?
A: Yes - if that's a choice made.

Q: What exactly is AutoRuns?
A: It's like Boot Log Analyzer on steroids! Or Startup Control Panel magnified x 1000.

Enough of that!!

After a first half-hour examining "AutoRuns" - reading the excellent Help file and checking what the options are - I made some tentative changes to my system's start-up procedures. I unchecked a dozen or so items (and there are probably many times that I shall uncheck - but later) and deleted one as a test of what deleting it actually implies.

Profound thanks to GoJoAGoGo (Joe) for bringing it to our attention.

Look forward, ekim68 (Mike) to your thoughts on it.

More later.

Ben.