Hello there.I wonder if anyone could help me please.I have a 5 year old system running Win ME, 256 RIMM RAM with a 30 gig HD, 17% of which is used. This will be replaced once Vista and FSX are fully up and running but for now will have to do. It runs FS2k2 well enough to enjoy.Here's the problem. I can't run an anti-virus scan (AVG free edition), Scan disk or a de-frag without the system crashing and re-booting. I can run Spybot to clear out any spyware without probs along with most other every day probs.Any idea how to fix this?If you do, please be so kind as to write in simple, non-computer expert language - I'd appreciate this very much as I don't get much further than on or off :-)Thanks!Gavin

Well, it sounds to me like your AVG anti-virus and your de-frag program are not compatible with Windows Me. That's all there is to it.If it were me I would verify that AVG av was fully compatible with WinME, and same with the defrag you're using. I don't think WinMe came with a built-in defragger, so you must be using some aftermarket defrag program.Because WinMe is so outdated...and not the best operating system Microsoft has produced ...you may have problems with todays software, like AVG.RhettAMD 3700+, eVGA 7800GT 256, ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, etc. etc.

>Well, it sounds to me like your AVG anti-virus and your>de-frag program are not compatible with Windows Me. That's>all there is to it.>>If it were me I would verify that AVG av was fully compatible>with WinME, and same with the defrag you're using. I don't>think WinMe came with a built-in defragger, so you must be>using some aftermarket defrag program.>>Because WinMe is so outdated...and not the best>operating system Microsoft has produced ...you may have>problems with todays software, like AVG.>>>RhettThanks for the reply Rhett. It's not that simple because I've been using the AVG free version for several years on my system and this problem has only cropped up in the last week or so. Also the de-frag I'm using is the built in one (I've got the Polish version) which I've been using from day one five years ago without a problem. I understand that ME's not the newest or best :-) os from MS but must say that, up until this particular problem, it's just worked. Thanks again though for trying to help.Gavin

>Thanks for the reply Rhett. It's not that simple because I've>been using the AVG free version for several years on my system>and this problem has only cropped up in the last week or so. >Also the de-frag I'm using is the built in one (I've got the>Polish version) which I've been using from day one five years>ago without a problem. I understand that ME's not the newest>or best :-) os from MS but must say that, up until this>particular problem, it's just worked. Oh! Well in that case, I would re-install AVG, if that's possible. If you don't have the original CD or disks then that's not an option. If the built-in defrag doesn't work, then that points to file system problem, OS problem, or a hardware problem.You might be having some hardware problems. Or your WinMe could be half corrupted. Given WinME's record, that would not surprise me. I hope you don't have a failing hard drive, or a bad memory stick, or a failing power supply. That would be very bad.I would do Start Menu--->Run....---->type 'cmd' in at the run prompt--->type chkdsk /f at the command line and let it go.This will check to see if you have hard drive errors.If everything was working properly, then those two programs would not just "stop working" all of the sudden.RhettAMD 3700+, eVGA 7800GT 256, ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, etc. etc.

Thanks again for your time and help Rhett - I'll try what you suggest. It is becomming obvious that my 'old dog' is on her way out. I'm putting importand stuff onto CDs (works fine) and am mentally prepared for her death.If she could just hold on until this time next year, I'd be more than grateful - maybe earlier?Gavin

I ran the chkdsk. It told me that it does not check for disk errors and that I must run Scandisk to do that. Scandisk crashes and re-boots the system after a few seconds. :-(

>>Here's the problem. I can't run an anti-virus scan (AVG free>edition), Scan disk or a de-frag without the system crashing>and re-booting. I can run Spybot to clear out any spyware>without probs along with most other every day probs.>You know, you really don't have that big of a problem--at least your computer still runs. I would probably just back everything up, and don't even WORRY about AVG or defrag for next 10-12 months, when you'll get your new computer.AVG and defrag are not absolutely essential to your operation. I mean, I have gotten maybe 2 viruses in 16 years being careful about where I go and what I do...and defrag ...well, you will lose performance gradually from file fragmentation, but not to the point where you can't run FS or other programs, I wouldn't think.If you have WinME CD, you might consider formatting and reinstalling the Os and FS and everything else. Then you'll know for sure if you have a hardware or software problem. If I had to take a wild guess I would say WinMe is corrupted. Hardware outage less likely but possible.Or if reinstalling WinME is not an option, you can nurse it along for the next 10-12 months until you build a new one.RhettAMD 3700+, eVGA 7800GT 256, ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, etc. etc.

Yes Rhett, I think you're right. FS 2k2 works fine (so far, fingers crossed, etc) so what am I moaning about? :-)OK, we'll leave it at that and I'll get back to flying. Thanks for your friendly help. If you ever find yourself in Warsaw, Poland, PM me and the beers are on me!All the best!Gavin