Poll: The final answer: Is WinME worth buying the upgrade? (and other questions)

[thegreatjeff]

Hi everyone!

OK, the deal is I'm thinking about purchasing WindowsME, the upgrade version that only costs like 50 bucks. Anyway, I have a few questions first:

1. Is Windows ME worth the upgrade? It might help to know that I like the latest and greatest and also I like all Microsoft products, too. (I know, I'm wierd, but...hehe)
2. I only have 32mb of RAM, and 233mhz processor; will WinME run that much slower than Win98?
3. Will the WinME upgrade work on Win98 (not Win98SE}, and will it work on a clean install (just in case I need to reformat my hd, I don't want to have to install Win98, then WinMe...)?
4. What files should I backup? Just my documents, or my program files, too, etc...(in short form, what are the pre-install instructions?)

Well, I think that's all my questions, thanks in advance!

 

[Gatsby]

Ewwwwwww Win me

I've read in some articles most notiably Zdnet's.

DOn't know where that one is. Tooi lazy to find it .

Personally I don't think its worht the upgrade. If I remmeber correctly they said it usually took anwyher from 20Megs-1Gig of HD space for a backup constantly.

its also slower or so they say.

And the main reason I don't wnat to get WinMe.. its got Windows Media Player 7. Ewwwww WMP7 EWWWWWWWWWW.. Sorry I hate that program. Its the biggest bloatware since ICQ.

To answer your question,s. I reformat a lot. I alawys backup my data folder, which inlcudes Word, Excel., and other files I made. Some basic drivers so I can cleanly install them. Some basic programs like winzip, icq and aim. Backups of my AIM and ICQ stuff.

I've also read on the box that you should be able to do a direct upgrade from win98 to winme.

Shoot me later if I get sutff wrong

Gatsby

 

[Rand]

I have WinME and honestly I see no reason at all for someone to buy it. It adds even less over Win98SE than 98SE did over the original 98, or than 98 added over 95. There is VERY little that makes it all more desirable over 98. And the lack of Dos and the stupid system restore that keeps re-enabling itself is annoying as hell.
If you have 50$ free and you absolutely MUST have the latest OS than go and buy it but I can virtually guarantee that even for only 50$ there isnt much to recommend it.

 

[abracadabra1]

i like winme much more than 98se...it's prettier
seriousy, i only think it's worth the upgrade if you don't have to pay for it.
internet + irc= all your software needs

 

[Abednigo]

Hmmm. I bought it and installed it, I'm not so sure it's anything wonderful myself. It's definitely bulkier (more things running in the background) than windows 98. Some of the things they've upgraded would be really nice for my parents, it has lots of warnings and "thoughtful" add ons if you don't klnow what you're doing. I find it annoying though. It's taking me a while to wind may way through all the options and turn off the "clutter." I wouldn't recommend it for a computer running at 233.. I think you'll feel the lag.

 

[woodie1]

Save your money. I spent mine and regret it.

 

[FUBAR]

We only bought a copy at work because:

a. we're an ISP and within the first week, we had lots of calls about it so we needed to learn how to support it's *features*

b. we are running 95b on our support stations so it's a HUGE jump.

Overall, not that impressed, although it's worlds better than 95 (might have been A even)

 

[Sunner]

It would be worth the cost of 2000 pro to NOT get ME, that piece of crap sucks so damn hard! :|

Just a little edgy right now, mostly due to Microsoft, so Im not too fond of any windows right now...

 

[bluezebra1098]

The promo version of ME is worth the $50. I find it reboots/shutdowns quicker, IE 5.5 loads pages very quickly (although there is a newer version out). The system restoration does put a little load on the windows system but one has to set a restoration date and then turn the thing off.
I loaded it and it recognzied ALL of my hardware except for the sound card. Try that with Win2k Pro. They still don't have drivers out for all of my hardware with Win2K.
ME will do until Whistler is out.
Backup anything you want to keep as far as files.
Yes, the promo version does include a full install of Win ME. If you format the program when loading will ask you to put a licensed version of Win 98 in the CD Rom for a few seconds and checks for valid setup files. Once it does that it prompts you to put the ME disk back in and off you go.
I think you'd see a big boost with more RAM

 

[Raincity]

NO. Its not even worth the wasted bandwith downloading it for me from W@rez site. It sucks, Resist the temptation and buy Win2k instead or wait for Whistler next year.

Rain

 

[KarsinTheHutt]

WinME sucks. It's slower and has a ton of features that you'll never use. The only advantage is a quick bootup time.