BIOS > Boot Options

Change the boot device order, and put the CD drive up first. And Just in case, leave IDE-0 as one of the options.

1stly- i reformat 2 or 3 times a year.. it is rather like clean underwear

2ndly- if the reformat process window doesn't have the % sign of your had drive being wiped, it is not re-formatting.

3rdly- if you don't have the full install, and are stuck with the upgrade, you may always be dis-satisfied..

4thly- contact me via Pm and we can discuss windows 2000 pro.

lastly, windows ME has one of the best boot-up disc's of any windows version i own.. ( i have all but 95 & NT now ) follow these steps and you should be ok..

1) make a 3.5 boot-up disc

2) back up everything vital

3) restart the PC with the 3.5 in the A drive

4) when prompted, say YES to CD/ROM support

5) put in the ME cd

6) go to the cd/rom drive ( it may very well be a new drive letter)

7) type "setup"

this may do it for you.. assuming you have the full install version, if its the upgrade, you will need to use another method, that i personally don't remember..

also sometimes its best (also assuming you have the full version) to ,

1) after the PC boots from "A" check to see if the cd/rom works.. if yes

2) go back to "A" and type "format c:/"

let it wipe the drive for you, then go to your cd/rom and type "setup"

i hope some of this helps..

good luck, and be sure before you hit that "enter" key