Sounds like it's time for a fresh install. The problem with ME and all 9x based OS's is they get gummed up with crap. If you haven't done a clean install in the last year, it's time.

first off....

i've had massive problems with Win ME doing exactly what you describe over the last 2 years.
i have had to reformat and reinstall every 6 months, as i watch that nasty patch job of an OS fall apart before my eyes.

so, you mucked it way worse when you installed Win XP on top of it. the reason you got a half way install is that WinME runs on FAT32 file system and WinXP is, like NT4, a NTFS file system. they don't work together.

i have solved ALL my problems by reformatting with NTFS file system on both my drives then installing WinXP Pro from scratch.

i have a wonderfully clean and fairly lean system since i did this. i also have ALL my games installed and they run beautifully. they are recognized by both my cdrom and my cdr/w drives.

also, the drivers for all my hardware are GREAT! much nicer than on my WinME system. for instance, my webcam with XP drivers, takes cleaner and crisper pictures and movies. with XP Tweak UI, i can cut down the number of procs running at startup and smoke thru my games.

PS: yah, i'm still playing NWN, DS, Wizardry, M&M9, and Warcraft 3!! ::big smile:: god they run GREAT and look WONDERFUL too!! i feel like i got a brand new rig to play them on!

V***V

I agree with Vesselle do format your hd to NTFS then i think your problem will dissapear and you also will get a faster pc when all thingies work great together also get all new drivers to your cd-rom or dvd rom, soundcard, network card if you have any also all drivers to everything on your pc!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]