Upgading Explorer on WIndows ME machine

[maureenc]

Good morning kind people,

I am running an old Compaq Pentium III under Windows ME which currently still has Explorer 5.5 loaded.

I have never taken any Microsoft Updates because I don't want loads of these clogging up my "Running Programs" and hogging the CPU as they did on my husband's Dell.

I need to upgrade because many of the Internet sites are now becoming unusable on my ancient system.

Could you please advise me which Explorer version would be the safest and most suitable on this PC?

Can I install "from scratch", i.e. by removing the older version before installing the new one or will I be forced into having zillions of updates running all of the time?

Any advice and assistance would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Maureen

[-pops-]

Updates don't run all the time - or they shouldn't. They download, install and that's the last time you'll be aware of them. If you have not downloaded any updates then it will take some time for them to install but after that you should notice a distinct improvement of the system.

To be connected to the Internet without having at least the latest security updates is folly.

I'm minded to ask about your other security software. Is that in the same parlous state?

Having said all of that, I have just checked on the MS http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6519 site and I see that all support for that operating system ended in July 2006 so any updates that may be still available will be out of date in any case.

It isn't only your out-of-date operating system that is your problem but the small size of the hard drive, lack of RAM and overall sluggishness of the CPU that is stopping your machine coping with modern Internet sites and other tasks.

Sorry but I think it's time you invested in a new machine. Windows 7 launches in a few days. The difference in that and WME is almost unbelievable.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Internet Explorer 5.5 was the slowest version of IE ever released - I remember it well.

Check http://www.update.microsoft.com/ what is offered as the latest IE version for ME - most likely IE6.

It is really not safe to run old versions of Windows - especially without any updates - while connected to the Internet. I hope that you have at least a firewall and active, up-to-date antivirus software running.

[maureenc]

Many thanks for the replies.

My Internet Security is fine and not in a "parlous state" at all Pops. I may be female but I come from an IT background (albeit mainframe not PC) and am VERY VERY careful about what goes on or in my machine. I have to date NEVER had a virus nor do I receive any spam. Those around me who are bristling with all of the latest technology seem to be the ones suffering from this.

If the Windws Updates on my OH's PC were not running all of the time, why were they listed under "running programs"?

He gave in recently and purchased a brand spanking new Dell with all of the bells and whistles and all of the latest Windows software. Basically he hates it and seems to spend far more time cursing "this infernal machine" than he ever did with the slower, but much more reliable old one. And even with this high tech device and fast broadband he still has to sit and twiddle his thumbs whilst waiting for such sites as BBC News Front Page to load because of the amount and complexity of the (ususally useless) data on it.

I would love to be able to buy a new PC but I am not in one of the hundreds of lucky categories that dear old Gordon gives handouts to. But should I ever manage to save enough money I will probably ditch Windows and opt for an Apple Mac which I am hearing more and more good things about.

Anyway, I shall go and crawl back under my ancient stone.

[MANEMAN]

Hi Maureen.

Try one of the "older versions of" Firefox or Opera instead of I.E. That should keep you going for a while longer.

Here are some links to older software which you may find useful.

http://oldware.org/

http://www.oldapps.com/

http://www.versiondownload.com/

http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/index.html

[Sbrideau]

Dell is not a reliable company anyway, I've seen lots of people have trouble with them. I would've got an Asus or a HP instead of a Dell if I were him, but it's your husband's choice I guess.

Well, about Internet Explorer, more and more programmers are cutting support for IE6 too, so I would recommend getting another browser that will most likely be faster, like Firefox or Opera.

There are multiple ways to get a system faster too, all you have to do is to ask for them too, but if you come from an IT background, you most likely know most of them.

[maureenc]

Hi Maureen.

Try one of the "older versions of" Firefox or Opera instead of I.E. That should keep you going for a while longer.

Here are some links to older software which you may find useful.

http://oldware.org/

http://www.oldapps.com/

http://www.versiondownload.com/

http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/index.html

Many thanks for that information Maneman. Much appreciated and I shall check those links out ASAP.

Thank you

Mo

[maureenc]

Dell is not a reliable company anyway, I've seen lots of people have trouble with them. I would've got an Asus or a HP instead of a Dell if I were him, but it's your husband's choice I guess.

Well, about Internet Explorer, more and more programmers are cutting support for IE6 too, so I would recommend getting another browser that will most likely be faster, like Firefox or Opera.

There are multiple ways to get a system faster too, all you have to do is to ask for them too, but if you come from an IT background, you most likely know most of them.

Thank you Sbrideau. Firefox seems like a good alternative so I will be looking into it soon. During the summer months I am too busy to worry too much about the PC but winter is drawing in!

This machine is an HP and I've done about all I can really to make it run faster. It isn't too bad on most sites but the ones with all the automatically loading videos etc and all the whizzy (generally useless stuff) hit it hard despite running in Low Graphics mode.

Cheers

Mo