Windows ME, that's almost a classic now ;)
Think I would enter safe mode to windows by holding down the CTRL key at boot and once windows is up and running do Ctrl+Alt+Del to open TaskManager and look see what process is using cpu cycles and stop whatever from doing its job.

Might be your anti-virus program or firewall - if so you might want to make sure you are disconnected from the internet before stopping those - although if behind a router, as long as you dont surf, its not really neccessary. Routers stop incoming pretty securily.

Thanks Mikie....I'm running scandisk in safe mode...nothing running when I do ctr+alt+del except explorer. That is what has me baffled. It's disconnected from the net..I have never like ME....thinking about getting a new laptop. but would like XP on it, as that is what I run and am familiar with. The computer is question is a Dell Inspiron that my husband uses to visit 2 forums..nothing else. When connected, it is through a router. Don't know what else to try. In addition, system restore won't work. I have several restores points, but it says that is was unsecessful trying several restores dates.

You could check msconfig startup tab to see what is possibly causing the problem. Go to start, run, type in msconfig, click ok. Click on the startup tab and it will give a list of what is running at startup. Many times, as Mikie said, the antivirus program is causing the problems. If so, you can uncheck it, reboot, run your scandisk/defrag and go back to msconfig and recheck those items and reboot once again. HTH.

Terry

Although I have never had Windows ME, I used to get a message the same as the one Jean mentioned (" 'Scandisk has started 10 times because Windows or another program has been writing to this drive.....' ") because there was an anti-virus program running in the background and/or a screen saver.

Jane2 here (Janey on knitting blogs)

I forget. Does ME have the option of booting in safe mode to the command prompt (maybe it was DOS prompt in those days)? If so, you could try that option and run chkdsk /f instead of scandisk.

I was finally able to run scandisk in safe mode a couple of days ago. When I went to defrag, it made a grinding noise and a message popped up that there was no defragment software installed and to go to add/remove to install it. (message was only on screen for a very few seconds, didn't have time to makes notes) Then it started and finished the defrag.

Thanks for all your help.

Jean

Jean you might use System File Checker to cure your problem.
Click start, click Run type sfc
hit OK or Enter.
You will be offered a choice and you select 'Scan for altered files'

This will go through all the Windows files looking for corrupt or missing files. You may be asked to insert the WinME CD if files are missing, it will tell you

Owbist, when I typed in sfc, a message came up saying Windows cannot find sfc. I ran a search and found 3 files:
SFC.DLL, SFC10.OCX AND SFCR10.DLL

Jean

Jean,

There is no System File Checker (SFC) in Windows ME. It was replaced by an automatic System File Protection (SFP) system. HTH.

Terry

Thanks Terry.
That brought up a folder in the System folder. I don't know exactly what they mean. Not sure if this stp log will help.

NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:00:45:980] SFP FirstRun - OS Version Major=4 Minor=90 Build=3000
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:06:54:420] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:06:54:590] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:070] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_949.NLS, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:120] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_949.NLS to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:230] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_936.NLS, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:340] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_936.NLS to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:620] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1258.NLS, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:620] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1258.NLS to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:780] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1256.NLS, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:06:780] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1256.NLS to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:07:000] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1250.NLS, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:07:060] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1250.NLS to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:07:110] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_950.NLS, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:07:170] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_950.NLS to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:42:980] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:42:980] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1252.NLS, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:43:030] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF=C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TBM6351.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:07:43:030] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CP_1252.NLS=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TBM7051.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:31:020] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\MSDOWNLD.TMP\AS00BF34.TMP\ie.cat
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:41:450] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\msdownld.tmp\AS011C73.tmp\mobilepk.cat
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:43:100] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\esenu.dll, version 1998.9.1003.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:43:160] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\msdownld.tmp\AS012736.tmp\advauth.cat
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:43:160] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\esenu.dll to version 1998.9.1003.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:43:710] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\msdownld.tmp\AS012A37.tmp\msident.cat
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:44:090] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\COLOR\sRGB Color Space Profile.icm, version 0.0.0.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:44:090] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\COLOR\sRGB Color Space Profile.icm to version 0.0.0.0
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:09:44:200] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\msdownld.tmp\AS012A37.tmp\ie_extra.cat
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:030] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ACTXPRXY.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:200] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\BROWSEUI.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:310] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\COMCTL32.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:360] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CORPOL.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:420] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHDOCVW.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:690] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHLWAPI.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:800] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\URLMON.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:26:860] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WININET.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:070] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WEBCHECK.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:180] Invalid entry to delete file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSIDLE.DLL has been written in wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:510] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:790] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:840] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ACTXPRXY.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:840] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\BROWSEUI.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:840] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\COMCTL32.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:840] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CORPOL.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:840] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHDOCVW.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:840] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHLWAPI.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:900] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\URLMON.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:900] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WININET.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:900] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WEBCHECK.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:27:900] SFP removed invalid entry NUL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSIDLE.DLL in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:28:010] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF=C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TBMA050.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:11:28:060] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF=C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TBMA051.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:13:24:400] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:13:24:510] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:13:24:560] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF=C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TBMC090.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:13:24:560] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF=C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TBMC091.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:14:54:030] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:14:54:090] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF, version 0.0.0.0 made in wininit.ini. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:14:54:090] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMA.TTF=C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TBMD1E1.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [10/13/2000 17:14:54:090] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TAHOMABD.TTF=C:\WINDOWS\FONTS\TBMD1E2.TMP in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [04/21/2001 09:04:05:400] SFP FirstRun - OS Version Major=4 Minor=90 Build=3000
NORMAL : [11/23/2001 17:32:30:970] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\itircl.dll, version 4.72.7277.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [11/23/2001 17:32:35:960] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\itircl.dll to version 4.72.7277.0
NORMAL : [11/23/2001 17:32:36:950] Invalid file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\itss.dll, version 4.72.8085.0 copied. New file has correct version but invalid hash
NORMAL : [11/23/2001 17:32:38:050] SFP restored file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\itss.dll to version 4.72.8085.0
NORMAL : [10/19/2003 18:14:36:550] Invalid entry for file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSVCRT.DLL, version 6.1.8924.0 made in wininit.ini. Correct version is 6.1.8637.0
NORMAL : [10/19/2003 18:14:37:920] SFP removed invalid entry C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSVCRT.DLL=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Msvcdf88.rra in the [Rename] section from wininit.ini
NORMAL : [02/25/2004 13:41:45:130] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\IXP000.TMP\wdsetupm.cat
NORMAL : [02/25/2004 13:42:06:330] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\IXP000.TMP\mdacxpkm.cat
NORMAL : [02/25/2004 13:42:55:820] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\IXP000.TMP\sqlnetm.cat
NORMAL : [02/25/2004 13:43:02:850] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\IXP000.TMP\sqlodbcm.cat
NORMAL : [02/25/2004 13:43:07:300] SFP installed catalog C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\IXP000.TMP\sqloldbm.cat

Jean,

You don't have to concern yourself with that. It's just an internal log that Windows ME keeps of files that have been updated/replaced. Below is a link that explains how the SFP works in Windows ME. HTH.

Terry

Here is a link that might be useful: Description of the System File Protection Feature