Absolutely stumpted - ready to ditch OS

[JonP]

Originally posted by rodtoo40
could it be windows me holds the dlls in memory using it up ??? just a thought

Wasn't there some sort of registry hack that supposedly released the dlls from memory?? I seem to remember one somewhere.

[rodtoo40]

yes there is can anyone please help with this need input we may be on to something here can`t help

[JonP]

Originally posted by rodtoo40
yes there is can anyone please help with this need input we may be on to something here can`t help

Just found it. Here it is:

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/667/


I'll try that as well. It certainly can't hurt at this stage.


EDIT: I'll be darned, the value is already set to "1", which means the dll's aren't cached.

[Lucas_Maximus]

I can say that i have a problem exactly the same in windows Xp with an alcatel dsl modem on my laptop.

exactly the same problem, the laptop will work great as long as it was not connected to the net. As our OS are different and the modem of the same type, i would say with 90% confidence that it is the modem.

[JonP]

Thank you very much for that. Which Alcatel model is yours?

Also, when you say your machine is fine so long as you are not connected to the net, does that mean that if you were on the net and having the problem, that it goes away when you have logged off (ie without you actually re-starting the machine)?

The reason I ask is that with my problem, it happens whether I am connected to the net or not, but the symptoms only first appear when I am downloading on the net.

Thanks

[Lucas_Maximus]

well i will ahve to restart coz it will never recover once it is in that state.

with win98 i had lots of problems generally, winME we used to nickname win98 3rd edition.

the alcatel i have is a 330 speedtouch. i.e. a complete POS.

[JonP]

Thanks. I'm not sure what to do now It's been confirmed the problem can occur on an NT platform and it's been confirmed the problem can occur on ethernet.

[Lucas_Maximus]

Originally posted by JonP
Thanks. I'm not sure what to do now It's been confirmed the problem can occur on an NT platform and it's been confirmed the problem can occur on ethernet.

my dsl is usb too.

[JonP]

I'm now trying that via latency patch. I came across a post somewhere where the person was suffering a similar problem, but they had an SBLive card. Apparently the problem pretty much went away when they applied the patch.

[JonP]

OK, I've got Windows XP loaded up with about 20 applications running, a 100Mb download running together with streaming video RealPlayer. Everything is running perfectly. My Windows ME install would have well and truly died by now. It's looking like Windows XP could be the answer.

I'm going to leave the system up all night downloading. If the video and audio streaming are working as well tomorrow morning as they are now, then I'm off to buy a new OS

[RJ]

Don't blame ME for poor software coding. I use ME on my own home PC and it is just as stable as XP, but I admit that I do shut the PC down at nights. My work PC had Win98SE and it runs 24/7 with no problems. It is a A-Open AX6BC Pro Gold with a 600 PIII and an Antec 400 Watt supply. Burns CD's, used as a file sharer, surf the internet, and the system was ROCK SOLID. That was until I would start playing either MP3 files or music CD's on it on Saturdays. I was first using a SB Live, and then tried a Santa Cruz. After about an hour the PC would become sluggish and eventually lock up. PC would be rock solid all week until I listened to music on Saturdays when no one else was in the office. Tried a fresh reinstall of 98SE and tried both the VXD and WMD versions of the Santa Cruz drivers with no luck. Switched to XP Pro and now I am 24/7/365plus. At first I thought it was a Microsoft problem, but I have read where even though NT based programs do handle resources much better when they are terminated, it is the programmers responsibility to code correctly in the first place. 98 & ME memory leaks can be prevented if the software is coded correctly is my understanding.

[JonP]

OK, Windows XP has been the answer to my problem. The machine is now running with ABSOLUTE PERFECTION and I have found it impossible to reproduce any of the symptoms I was having no matter what I am throwing at it.

I'm off to buy a new OS. Thanks to everyone for their help and interest

[Cogar]

Originally posted by JonP
OK, Windows XP has been the answer to my problem. The machine is now running with ABSOLUTE PERFECTION and I have found it impossible to reproduce any of the symptoms I was having no matter what I am throwing at it.

I'm off to buy a new OS. Thanks to everyone for their help and interest

I had to leave suddenly yesterday, so it looks like I missed all the fun. Anyway, although XP may have given you the solution, blt (who is right a large percentage of the time) may have isolated the real issue:

Originally posted by blt
I wouldn't bother reactivating the on-board USB.

Based on the reply from your ISP, sounds as if the modem or it's drivers are not compatible with a Windows 9X system.

Depending on the reply from the modem manufactor (assuming you get a reply), it would seem to me that your options are either to upgrade from WinME or try a different modem.

Good luck with a solution!

In any event, I am very glad that the problem has been isolated and a solution is at hand.

Regarding your other questions (for future reference):

Originally posted by JonP
Could a power supply issue really create these symptoms? I had thought when it came to power something would either work properly or simply not work at all. But the power supply defintely isn't good enough, that's for sure. When I bought my 9600XT for my gaming rig, I transfered the Geforce Ti 4200 into this machine without upgrading the power supply.

Yes, having inadequate power can cause devices to "disappear" and malfunction. Of course, some power supplies fail catastrophically as well.

Originally posted by JonP
So are you on broadband? Can your machine stay up for long periods downloading streaming multimedia without any problems? Are you using a router or modem?


btw, I should add that apart from this one issue, I am more than happy with Windows ME. It does everything I ask, has allthe functionaility I require and at least it never falls over.

Yes, we have broadband and to this date have not had any problems like those that you experience in spite of being on all day and occasionally downloading enormous files. We use a gateway/switch, which is essentially a fancy router.

[JonP]

Thanks Cogar,


Well I'm happy that I have changed the power supply. I really should have done this when I put the Geforce 4 in.

As for an NT based OS - it's heaven

Interestingly, I looked at the modem driver file that was loaded with XP and compared it to the driver file that was loaded with ME. The two driver files seem to be exactly the same. It's the same dll name, both are exactly the same size in bytes and both have precisely the same date, time and properties. So I think they are the same files.

Anyway, seeing as an answer is at hand, I'm taking it, even if perhaps another modem might have solved it. The NT platform has so many advantages for the type of work I do on my computer, that I really should have used an NT based OS from the beginning.

[rodtoo40]

been trying to talk sister in law in to upgrading to xp but no go said she had it at work and hated it told her i could set it up just like windows me or 98se but unwilling to give so i guess she will have to live with the problems thanks guys for trying to help