Windows ME recovery cd

KE · External Since: Jan 21, 2010 Posts: 2

I bought an IBM (iSeries) laptop with Windows ME many years ago; the sales
rep recommended me not to purchase the recovery CD, so I don't have a
recovery CD. Now, I am trying to re-install from a Windows ME CD given by a
computer repair store, but it stopped with a message saying that Windows ME
on that CD is not the right version.

Is there anybody who has a Windows ME recovery CD that might be workable on
my laptop? If yes, please let me know. Thanks a lot.

Mart · External Since: Apr 09, 2005 Posts: 1119

If all else fails and your laptop still functions, you *may* be able to make
one yourself.

Normally, when installing WinMe from a MS retail CD, it copies the whole
installation setup folder to windows\options\instal. But with (some?) OEM
CD's, it copies them to windows\options\cabs. Other OEM's *may* copy them
elsewhere and some (possibly IBM?) don't even bother at all.

You will need to look on your C: drive for a folder which should contain
some 150 MB of files (i.e. about 25 .CAB files and including the setup
exe.file). If there, copy the whole folder to a CD (or memory stick) and you
will then have made an installation CD.

However, under the circumstances, you should take a look at (and print out)
the "cleanhd.txt" file in the above folder. You can also view the "Windows
Millennium Edition Cleanhd.txt File Contents" at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;271673

Study it carefully and be sure you have a note of the existing product key
code (the 25 digit code that was supplied with the pc's original
installation) and - if the WinMe CD was an 'upgrade' version (rather than a
'full version') - some proof of a 'previous version' - e.g. a Win95 or 98 CD
(N.B not required for OEM)

BTW - you can find your product key by using Belarc Advisor from
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Also, don't try over-installing WinMe as you are very likely to end up with
a 'soup' and therefore in a far worse state than you already are.

Finally, you may need to obtain extra drivers (for the lcd display panel and
keyboard) but the *may* still be obtainable from the IBM web site

Mart

"KE" wrote in message

>I bought an IBM (iSeries) laptop with Windows ME many years ago; the sales
> rep recommended me not to purchase the recovery CD, so I don't have a
> recovery CD. Now, I am trying to re-install from a Windows ME CD given by
> a
> computer repair store, but it stopped with a message saying that Windows
> ME
> on that CD is not the right version.
>
> Is there anybody who has a Windows ME recovery CD that might be workable
> on
> my laptop? If yes, please let me know. Thanks a lot.

KE · External Since: Jan 21, 2010 Posts: 2

Thank you very much for the answer.

I will have to spend some time to digest your answer and will let you know.

"Mart" wrote:

> If all else fails and your laptop still functions, you *may* be able to make
> one yourself.
>
> Normally, when installing WinMe from a MS retail CD, it copies the whole
> installation setup folder to windows\options\instal. But with (some?) OEM
> CD's, it copies them to windows\options\cabs. Other OEM's *may* copy them
> elsewhere and some (possibly IBM?) don't even bother at all.
>
> You will need to look on your C: drive for a folder which should contain
> some 150 MB of files (i.e. about 25 .CAB files and including the setup
> exe.file). If there, copy the whole folder to a CD (or memory stick) and you
> will then have made an installation CD.
>
> However, under the circumstances, you should take a look at (and print out)
> the "cleanhd.txt" file in the above folder. You can also view the "Windows
> Millennium Edition Cleanhd.txt File Contents" at:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;271673
>
> Study it carefully and be sure you have a note of the existing product key
> code (the 25 digit code that was supplied with the pc's original
> installation) and - if the WinMe CD was an 'upgrade' version (rather than a
> 'full version') - some proof of a 'previous version' - e.g. a Win95 or 98 CD
> (N.B not required for OEM)
>
> BTW - you can find your product key by using Belarc Advisor from
> http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
>
> Also, don't try over-installing WinMe as you are very likely to end up with
> a 'soup' and therefore in a far worse state than you already are.
>
> Finally, you may need to obtain extra drivers (for the lcd display panel and
> keyboard) but the *may* still be obtainable from the IBM web site
>
> Mart
>
>
>
> "KE" wrote in message
>
> >I bought an IBM (iSeries) laptop with Windows ME many years ago; the sales
> > rep recommended me not to purchase the recovery CD, so I don't have a
> > recovery CD. Now, I am trying to re-install from a Windows ME CD given by
> > a
> > computer repair store, but it stopped with a message saying that Windows
> > ME
> > on that CD is not the right version.
> >
> > Is there anybody who has a Windows ME recovery CD that might be workable
> > on
> > my laptop? If yes, please let me know. Thanks a lot.
>
>
> .
>

Mart · External Since: Apr 09, 2005 Posts: 1119

You're welcome, KE. Please come back if you have any problems and I'm sure
there are still one or two of us around who may be able to help.

Good luck

Mart

"KE" wrote in message

> Thank you very much for the answer.
>
> I will have to spend some time to digest your answer and will let you
> know.
>
> "Mart" wrote:
>
>> If all else fails and your laptop still functions, you *may* be able to
>> make
>> one yourself.
>>
>> Normally, when installing WinMe from a MS retail CD, it copies the whole
>> installation setup folder to windows\options\instal. But with (some?) OEM
>> CD's, it copies them to windows\options\cabs. Other OEM's *may* copy them
>> elsewhere and some (possibly IBM?) don't even bother at all.
>>
>> You will need to look on your C: drive for a folder which should contain
>> some 150 MB of files (i.e. about 25 .CAB files and including the setup
>> exe.file). If there, copy the whole folder to a CD (or memory stick) and
>> you
>> will then have made an installation CD.
>>
>> However, under the circumstances, you should take a look at (and print
>> out)
>> the "cleanhd.txt" file in the above folder. You can also view the
>> "Windows
>> Millennium Edition Cleanhd.txt File Contents" at:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;271673
>>
>> Study it carefully and be sure you have a note of the existing product
>> key
>> code (the 25 digit code that was supplied with the pc's original
>> installation) and - if the WinMe CD was an 'upgrade' version (rather than
>> a
>> 'full version') - some proof of a 'previous version' - e.g. a Win95 or 98
>> CD
>> (N.B not required for OEM)
>>
>> BTW - you can find your product key by using Belarc Advisor from
>> http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
>>
>> Also, don't try over-installing WinMe as you are very likely to end up
>> with
>> a 'soup' and therefore in a far worse state than you already are.
>>
>> Finally, you may need to obtain extra drivers (for the lcd display panel
>> and
>> keyboard) but the *may* still be obtainable from the IBM web site
>>
>> Mart
>>
>>
>>
>> "KE" wrote in message
>>
>> >I bought an IBM (iSeries) laptop with Windows ME many years ago; the
>> >sales
>> > rep recommended me not to purchase the recovery CD, so I don't have a
>> > recovery CD. Now, I am trying to re-install from a Windows ME CD given
>> > by
>> > a
>> > computer repair store, but it stopped with a message saying that
>> > Windows
>> > ME
>> > on that CD is not the right version.
>> >
>> > Is there anybody who has a Windows ME recovery CD that might be
>> > workable
>> > on
>> > my laptop? If yes, please let me know. Thanks a lot.
>>
>>
>> .
>>