Memory leak still not fixed in Windows ME ... I can't say I started using Windows ME on purpose. I've heard all the pros & cons about it for months from associates and the newsgroups.  I even installed it on my main computer -- then finally got rid of it! (note update below) All that changed when I got a new Toshiba laptop in 2000 (I mean notebook - you're not supposed to put it on your lap).  My new machine came pre-installed with Windows ME.  I was worried, but thought what the heck.  After 3 months of using it, I come to some definite conclusions.
	I really liked some of the new features, but I wish Uncle Bill would release software he's actually tested on his own computer, and actually FIX the holes in it. Only clean installs will run ME properly -- upgrading over Win 9x usually doesn't work properly. I've never seen the blue screen of death so much since I started using Windows based computers many years ago! It runs fine as long as you don't have to reboot -- just pray that your ctrl-alt-del keys work, since that's another chronic problem.  I usually have to reboot 4-6 times a day before it "settles in" and decides to work, many times having to actually power down manually (no mean feat on a laptop).  TIP: on most newer laptops (I'm still using that politically incorrect word) simply hold the power button down for up to 6-8 secs.
DON'T enable Win ME's Windows Auto Update feature -- it causes crashes/freezes. Download your updates manually. Windows ME has a memory leak that hasn't been fixed yet (still not fixed in 2007). CacheMan (a kewl freeware cache manager) solves the memory leak problem until Bill finally releases a fix for it (yeah - right!).  You can download your copy right here.  I also told my non-ME using buds about it -- it will increase your performance on any Windows based machine like it did theirs. Can't get ME to do a defrag? Does it take forever or not finish at all? Try re-starting in "safe-mode" or use End-it-All 2 to stop all running software and do that defrag in no time.

Well it's been over a year since I last used ME full-time & I sure don't miss it!  I replaced it with Windows XP on my Toshiba Satellite 1800 laptop and gave it to my Daughter who is in her 3rd year of University.  ME wasn't all that bad, you just had to learn it's limitations!  My new Dell Inspiron 5100 came with XP a year ago and I positively love it (I can't believe I'm actually saying that about a Micro$haft product). Here's a few new tips I learned about using ME for almost 2 years ...

	Make two partitions on your hard drive to store your documents, important files, downloads, MP3's, email folder/s, favorites folder, address book backups, etc.  Keep ALL that stuff on drive "D".  You can use TweakAll to perform the task of physically moving most of those folders to drive "D". The rest move by hand.    If you don't have drive "D" as a partition - do it now.  You'll need a partition software package to do it.  You can download  Partition Magic to partition your drive.  If you're wiping out your hdd anyway - just use fdisk during set-up to create the two partitions.  I keep my "C" drive at 6 GB & my "D" drive at 14 GB on my Toshiba Notebook.  This way, if ME crashes and you have to Restore or Re-install, all your data is safe on good 'ol drive "D".
	You have to keep your system clean with a good backup system.  Backup all your important stuff to CD as well as drive "D".  I use Norton System Works to keep ME humming.  I hear some of your groaning !  NORTON - NEVER !  Well go on in your ignorance and I'll stay problem free!  I'm due to buy System Works 2002 this summer & I can't wait.  Just don't do a "typical" install of it.  You can download a trial version of Norton Utilities here. Most "geeks" do a custom install on Norton like this ... Don't install Crash Guard (if your version has it) - it IS a problem (resulting in those that hate it). Don't load System Doctor or Disk Doctor at each start-up.  Run Disk Doctor instead of Scandisk, and Speed Disk instead of Defrag.  I NEVER use System Doctor because it takes up too much memory & is just plain stupid!
	Use Norton Utilities regularly to clean out your systems cache - Clean Sweep is worth the price of admission alone.  It also uninstalls unwanted or "goofed" software like Add/Remove never could. Set-up a "maintenance plan" and stick to it.  I run my utilities every 3 days, or when my 'puter start "acting out".  Normally "One Button Check-up" will solve these "glitches".   For my regular maintenance I first run Disk Doctor, Win Doctor, Clean Sweep, Registry Sweep (know what you're doing here - read the help files).  Finally I run Speed Disk (set the option to wipe free space).  Finally I run the Optimization Wizard (which will reboot your computer).  The first time you run it will take a while. (PS: I'm not earning a cent for this endorsement).  Thanks to Peter Norton - MY Hero !
	All-in-all I like ME - the photo "thumbnails" but I don't use IE 6 anymore (Get Firefox).  It just takes common sense, regular updates and as few programs running in the system tray as possible. I'll keep you posted.