I made the mistake of running Windows Update on a
computer, and it subsequently died with the message "Error
loading explorer.exe. Must reinstall windows." Totally
useless.

The Microsoft Knowledge Base suggested I extract
msvcrt.dll and explorer.exe, which I did to no avail. I
reinstalled the original ME disk, which didn't really work
either. I ended up upgrading that computer to XP which
seems to have worked.

So I used the ME disk for another computer. Later, I
foolishly ran Windows Update on the 2nd computer, and it
died in the same manner, only I can't recover this one,
and it appears not to recognize the CD-ROM anymore.

I can't even ask Microsoft without them charging me,
because they want my Product ID, which I can't get because
I can't start the damn computer to find it!

So, what recourse do I have? It seems like the updates
would be a useful thing to load, if they wouldn't crash my
computer. At this point, I'd be happy to just have the
original Windows ME back, but I'd also like to know why
the updates are so consistently flaky. I have some legacy
stuff on this computer I need to keep, so I don't think I
can upgrade to a different OS.

- Tones

What were the updates and where did you get them from? If they were in an Email
message as attachments, they were not updates they were viruses. MS does not
distribute updates via Email.

--
George (Bindar Dundat ©) MS-MVP

For Windows Troubleshooting Tips see;
http://aumha.org/win4/a/tshoot.htm

"Tones W" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:03fd01c3fd18$38bc68e0$a601280a@phx.gbl...
| I made the mistake of running Windows Update on a
| computer, and it subsequently died with the message "Error
| loading explorer.exe. Must reinstall windows." Totally
| useless.
|
| The Microsoft Knowledge Base suggested I extract
| msvcrt.dll and explorer.exe, which I did to no avail. I
| reinstalled the original ME disk, which didn't really work
| either. I ended up upgrading that computer to XP which
| seems to have worked.
|
| So I used the ME disk for another computer. Later, I
| foolishly ran Windows Update on the 2nd computer, and it
| died in the same manner, only I can't recover this one,
| and it appears not to recognize the CD-ROM anymore.
|
| I can't even ask Microsoft without them charging me,
| because they want my Product ID, which I can't get because
| I can't start the damn computer to find it!
|
| So, what recourse do I have? It seems like the updates
| would be a useful thing to load, if they wouldn't crash my
| computer. At this point, I'd be happy to just have the
| original Windows ME back, but I'd also like to know why
| the updates are so consistently flaky. I have some legacy
| stuff on this computer I need to keep, so I don't think I
| can upgrade to a different OS.
|
| - Tones
|

This was done via the Windows Update button on the
taskbar.... I would never use an email attachment in that
manner.

- Tones

I asked because of the amazing number of people that do and some of those
messages look very official. You are wise to avoid them. Do you happen to know
what the update number(s) was (were)?

--
George (Bindar Dundat ©) MS-MVP

For Windows Troubleshooting Tips see;
http://aumha.org/win4/a/tshoot.htm

"Tones W" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:415401c3fe44$a1626fc0$a101280a@phx.gbl...
This was done via the Windows Update button on the
taskbar.... I would never use an email attachment in that
manner.

- Tones

Which Norton "products" do you have installed on your system ?

MowGreen [MVP]
*-343-* Never Forgotten

Tones W wrote:

I have SystemWorks 2001 on the system. Is "Windows Update"
a Microsoft thing or a Norton thing?

- Tones

Unfortunately I don't know the numbers. I just let the
program collect my computer's information, then I told it
to proceed. Some updates say they need to be installed
separately from the others, and this was one of them.
Sorry I can't be more help. There were something like 10
critical updates it wanted me to perform, then 44 non-
critical updates. Most of the critical ones had to do with
virus protection... how ironic, huh? A virus might have
been easier to recover from than this!

- Tones

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:47:39 GMT,"Tones W"
<anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> penned this whopper in
news:1a5b01c3ff26$cbdd8b80$a601280a@phx.gbl:

<snip>
Norton can mess with WindowsUpdate., You should disable antivirus and never
run system doctor unless you need it for some particular momentary thing,
but not in the background. As to the update number, you can probably figure
it out by going to windows update again and clicking "show installed
updates". The dates shoud give it away.

As far as a ProductId boot into DOS, open c:\Windows\system.dat in Edit and
search for the term the way it is above. The code should be right after the
"d". DON'T change a thing in that file!

HTH
--
"Time will bring to light whatever is hidden;
it will cover up and conceal what is now shining in splendor."
Horace (65 - 8 BC); Roman poet.

Mike

The ProductID will do nothing - the Product Key is what's required for a
re/install

To avoid using the registry.REGEDIT - download, install and run AIDA32 from
www.aida32.hu
It'll tell you your Product Key, Product ID and an awful lot more!!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"B.J.Honeycut" <Friday@drag.net.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns949F1B56F99ADvincentvangogh@130.81.64.196. ..

I wanted the product ID so I could bitch to Microsoft that
their updates killed two of my computers and why don't
they do something about it or at least tell me how I can
bring the computer up to date.

I have the product key, and could do a reinstall (if my
computer would recognize its CDROM drive), but then I'd be
back to square one with the original software and no
updates.

Thanks for the registry info, though.

- Tones

I suspect that your problem is more likely to be related to Norton that it
is to ME or ME -

perhaps one of the following may ring bells?

1) The LiveUpdate co&kup

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton LiveUpdate, corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other possible causes. Do a
Search for the file WININIT.INI - if you find it, then rename it to
WININIT.JNK, and reboot - your problem should be gone.

If you don't find it, then try this - Start|Run - enter SCANREG /FIX into
the dialog box, and click OK - windows will reboot - see if that fixes it.
If not, then do a Search on your PC for files named '_RESTORE' (without the
quotes) - you should find the C:\_RESTORE folder - r-click on it, and select
Properties. How many files/folders are there? If it's around 64 thousand,
then LiveUpdate has been up to its tricks again, and you'll have to
completely remove the folder from DOS - use the following method, which
seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the following commands at the
A:\> prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. - your error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

2) the NSD co&kup

Have you been running with the Quack?
Are you running Norton System Quack - - errr - Doctor?
If so, then read on......

You may have up to 32,000 empty OEM*.INF files sitting in your
c:\Windows\INF folder, which prevents any program putting a legitimate *.INF
file in there (it also slow your system down to stop, trying to read them
and sort the [non-existent] contents!).
You need to DELETE all 0byte (and ONLY the 0byte) OEM*.INF files.
look here for information on how to do that , and how to prevent it
happening again (i.e. TURN OFF NORTON SYSTEM DOCTOR - unless you are
actively troubleshooting something)

The Symantec site:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...15010309&src=n

also
"Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup, Installing Updates, or
Adding New Hardware"
(http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q281967)
also
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q301540
(which contains the fix for your problem in the NOTE under the patch
description)
Phone your Local MS office, and tell them your problem quoting Q301540 -
they'll either send you the patch, or give you a one-use password, for the
cost of the call.

Good Luck
--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)


Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Tones W" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:33d701c400f1$cbfb5120$a601280a@phx.gbl...

Ah, that's a wealth of information! Thanks.

I have seen those 32 thousand files and deleted the 0byte
ones (fortunately and coincidentally not all of them),
only to see them reappear shortly afterward.

The other advice you have given sounds very helpful.

It so happens, I had a bad floppy drive, so I replaced it
and was able to use a restore disk to allow me to reload
the original ME, so at least my system is now running
again. Still don't have updates, though... although I
guess I can live with that. Your post recommended what to
do if the system hangs during update, but does that also
apply to an update that succeeds but then doesn't allow
the system to reboot?

If I ever have any troubles again, I'll consult your list
of recommendations first thing.

- Tones

If you don't run the cr&p that Norton peddles as/in Utilities/System Works,
then you won't see either or those problems (unless you're VERY unlucky)!

With a fresh install, you MUST get all the critical updates to keep your PC
secure!!!
D/L them two or three at a time - make sure that the first one you
download/install is the 290700 System Restore patch, and at least you'll
have a fall-back position to go to!

HTH

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Tones W" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:668a01c40170$75983210$a001280a@phx.gbl...

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 21:28:35 GMT,"Noel Paton"
<NoelDPspamless@btopenworld.com> penned this whopper in
news:e#flnQ9$DHA.2448@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl:

That is what I assumed, that is the string the product key is found
under...go figure. He can't start the PC so AIDA will do little good.

--
"Time will bring to light whatever is hidden;
it will cover up and conceal what is now shining in splendor."
Horace (65 - 8 BC); Roman poet.

Mike

In which case, assuming that the disk has not been formatted, he can try
recovering the Product Key as follows:
a) Boot to DOS using a WinMe Startup Floppy and select 4) Minimal Boot
b) At the A:\> prompt, type the following with a return after each line. The
spaces are important.

c:
cd windows
attrib -s -h system.dat
edit system.dat

Use Search | Find to find 'ProductKey'
The key used to install Win Me should be to the immediate right of the string
ProductKey and of the form XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP
mcmaltby@hotmail.com


B.J.Honeycut <Friday@drag.net.invalid> wrote:

Makes no difference now, guys - he seems to have done a System Recovery
reinstall - with all that entails


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message
news:OhnGdGjAEHA.640@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...

On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 22:33:07 GMT,"Noel Paton"
<NoelDPspamless@btopenworld.com> penned this whopper in
news:#qhLnijAEHA.1700@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl:

Oh well...
But really, the install key is really listed as "ProductID" in System.dat,
same in win2k but there its encrypted. I've pulled a bunch of them out like
that. I think the product ID is under "PID".

--
"Time will bring to light whatever is hidden;
it will cover up and conceal what is now shining in splendor."
Horace (65 - 8 BC); Roman poet.

Mike

No
The Product Key is in the registry under ProductKey
The Product ID is there under ProductID

do a find in Regedit - you'll see what I mean

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"B.J.Honeycut" <Friday@drag.net.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns94A413B9C2E69vincentvangogh@130.81.64.196. ..

No, what is required to reinstall Win Me is the ProductKey as has already been
stated. The ProductID is generated from the ProductKey and is required to
obtain support but is of no help when trying to install Win Me.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP
mcmaltby@hotmail.com


B.J.Honeycut <Friday@drag.net.invalid> wrote:

On Sat, 06 Mar 2004 10:20:58 GMT,"Noel Paton"
<NoelDPspamless@btopenworld.com> penned this whopper in
news:ecP4yS2AEHA.1964@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl:

Ihave to stop working late, I thought he wanted the PID anyway, then I got
confused. <chugging coffee before a walk>

--
"Time will bring to light whatever is hidden;
it will cover up and conceal what is now shining in splendor."
Horace (65 - 8 BC); Roman poet.

Mike