Apparently, I'm not running Windows

C

crispy1995

New Member
I have my aunt's computer for a little, and no website will acknowledge that I'm running Windows ME (probably not the best OS). Windows update will not load, or will tell me that I'm running a MAC, Netscape won't install because I'm not running any compatible Windows version, Windows Validation tool won't run, no microsoft downloads will install-- what's going on?!

- Thanks in advance.
 
Want to know what is running on the system there detail for detail? One system information tool also a freeware will list "everything" including the actual OS running. All you do is right click and create a desktop shortcut or simply double click on the download you save to a folder. 9X-ME is no longer supported by Microsoft so don't plan on finding any updates there for those older versions of Windows. The freeware is SIW found at http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/SIW.shtml
 
crispy1995 said:
I have my aunt's computer for a little, and no website will acknowledge that I'm running Windows ME (probably not the best OS). Windows update will not load, or will tell me that I'm running a MAC, Netscape won't install because I'm not running any compatible Windows version, Windows Validation tool won't run, no microsoft downloads will install-- what's going on?!

- Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Easy Way- What does it say when you boot up:D
 
If someone made a few custom alterations in the system reigistry the usual splash screen wouldn't be seen but some other one. Apple?MAC will have their own different from MS there. The SIW tool will provide a full breakdown of the system including softwares as well as OS installed. It won't go on MAC or Linux to give a you start right there.
 
If the SIW tool runs when downloaded and double clicked on the first item seen in the top "softwares" section is "operating systems". That will clearly specify which version in detail is running there. Besides the ease of use for the free system tool if you are running any version of Windows newer then 3.1 or NT 3.0 you should find the version by simply going into "Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools" and clicking on the system information link there. That will bring up a window with this information.
 
crispy1995 said:
I have my aunt's computer for a little, and no website will acknowledge that I'm running Windows ME (probably not the best OS). Windows update will not load, or will tell me that I'm running a MAC, Netscape won't install because I'm not running any compatible Windows version, Windows Validation tool won't run, no microsoft downloads will install-- what's going on?!

- Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
You would not by chance be using Firefox or Opera instead of Internet Explorer trying to update Windows?
 
crispy1995 said:
I downloaded it... guess what the "Hidden Files" tells me. "You must be running Windows ME or later!" UGH! :eek:
Click to expand...

Well at least you know it's either 9X or NT for the MS side of things if you see any version of IE in the Programs? menu. Do you see any sign of an MS typical item? It should only take a few seconds to know if it is Windows by design. If the system was prebuilt not custom like I suspect here it probably has 98 or 2000 on it.
 
When you right click on My Computer -> Properties on General tab you will see type of OS, version etc.
Or you can click Start -> All Programs (or whatever it is called) -> Accessories -> System tools -> System information and you will see OS type and more. Although I'm not sure it is in all ver. of windows so don't be dissapointed if you not find it there.
 
How are you having that much trouble? Just do a few of these things:

What does it say when booting up?

Start > Run > dxdiag, see what it says for OS

Right click on My Computer, click properties

Take a screenshot of the desktop and show us.
 
First you will need to know what OS you have there before even being able to download any program for taking screen captures of the desktop. But one look at the desktop alone should see the familiar "MyComputer", "MyDocuments", or some other item indicating MS or other OS. With a an older prebuilt system like it sounds the earlier mention of 9X-ME, NT, or 2000 even. Linux will have desktop icons for the drives installed on the system.
 
The taskbar says "Windows Millenium Edition", the System Properties says so; the splash screen shows when booting; all the icons are in their appropriate place. I'm wondering if there is a Registry key or something I should edit...?
Is it possible to forget what OS it's running? :D
 
If you had the original ME installation disk you could try running the system file checker to see if that would replace anything found damaged or missing as far as the basic system files. Lately everyone has been putting Vista themes on XP. I can look to see if anything like that will run on ME. For running the system file checker type in "sfc /scannow" at the Run prompt to start that up.

While you are trying to get the original splash screen back others were always trying to get rid of it! :eek: :P One page with a download for this is found at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-801

For assistance with registry edits for various things along with changing different screens the Winguides 2003 registry guide can be looked over at http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/ Unfortunately the free download for the guide is no longer found there. Hopefully one that includes Vista will come out sometime?
 
From experience ME is the most buggy windows version I have encountered. If you are going to use ME why not use windows 2000?
 
The question to better ask is why not XP over the other two? ME itself was the "Big MS Flop" those years back. XP is the upgrade over 2000 with the bugs worked out at this point. Plus you can read off Fat partitions for data retrieval from old drives where 2000 is strictly NTFS.
 
At least there you can add another stick of memory if needed or maybe a slightly faster cpu according to what the system supports. That would allow the OS upgrade in order to keep the old system going.
 
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