Hmm I recall a program that basically replaces microsoft's own startup for windows, and starts programs one a time, using timed delays.

How does delays make boot faster? It's simple really. Windows's own starts all programs at once, and while the programs start up, they all compete for cpu, hd read, whatever, slowing down each other. If they start up one a time, boot would be faster.

Too bad I can't remember name or downloaded it

yup what Jafo says, ME = Meltdown Edition

I have not see but maybe three computers it operated on, and that was before installing any applications!

Kona could use 98 lite on ME also. Don't know how ME qualitatively differs from 98 (except for system restore) but I actually recall a few users claiming it was superior and more stable than W98. Mostly I don't see many positive comments about it, though. Glad I didn't get the urge to upgrade to it when it came out.

I 'upgraded' from Win95 (on floppies!) to WinME .... it was 'better' but not much.
Four minutes to boot sounds a bit much all the same ..

Depending on the type of hardware you have. I would suggest you maybe getting XP. But they are right, ME is the worse OS that was made. I had so many hardware issues with it. But I would suggest you changing your OS to 98SE or XP. Ok, I added more stuff

The only problem I ever had with ME was inept users

If you upgraded your ram, that would improve for sure. But software, that's a diffrent issue. You already disabled your start up programs. A site to check out, you might find what you want here

Can't upgrade I am maxed out at 128.

Depending on the type of hardware you have. I would suggest you maybe getting XP. But they are right, ME is the worse OS that was made. I had so many hardware issues with it. But I would suggest you changing your OS to 98SE or XP. Ok, I added more stuff

I have windows XP Pro on disk but my little Dell latitude cp can not handle it

booting, what is that? let me see, when was my pc for the last time down... ehm... time ago with a lightning storm... back to vacation, solution: dont shut your pc down

How about changing how your computer is being used? I found this tip in a Magazine when I had WinME.

Right click on my computer, click properties. then click performace, then "file system", then where it says "desktop" change it too "network server".

Kona something sounds seriously not right about that boot. Even if your exagerating by a minute, thats just not right.
below is a copy paste from Si Sandra note the I am using a triple boot with win98/winxp and RH Linux yes on a p233 notebook with 96mb of ram
My boot is 70 sec. using XP

SiSoftware Sandra

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) MMX
Speed : 234MHz
Performance Rating : PR234 (estimated)
Type : Standard

Mainboard
Bus(es) : ISA PCI PCMCIA CardBus USB
MP Support : No
MP APIC : No
System BIOS : SystemSoft Version R1.20
Mainboard : MiTAC 5033
Total Memory : 95MB EDO SDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : Intel Corporation 82439TX 430TX System Controller
L2 External Cache : 512kB Pipeline-Burst Write-Back
Front Side Bus Speed : 1x 66MHz (66MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 96MB EDO SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 1x 66MHz (66MHz data rate)

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk : TOSHIBA MK1517GAP (14.1GB)
Hard Disk : Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device
CD-ROM/DVD : TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-C2502 (CD 24X Rd) (DVD 3X Rd)

Logical Storage Devices
1.44MB 3.5" (A:) : N/A
Win98 (C:) : 4.0GB (3.6GB, 89% Free) (FAT32)
CD-ROM/DVD (D:) : N/A
Winxp (E:) : 9.9GB (7.6GB, 77% Free) (NTFS)
Removable (F:) : 18.6GB (12.0GB, 64% Free) (FAT32)

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 5.01.2600 Service Pack 1

Here is my tech crap from sandra:

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer System
Manufacturer : Dell
Name : DELL233P128R-ME

Processor(s)
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) MMX
Speed : 234MHz
Performance Rating : PR234 (estimated)
L2 On-board Cache : 512kB pipeline-burst write-back

Mainboard and BIOS
Bus(es) : ISA PCI PCMCIA CardBus USB SMBus/i2c
MP Support : No
System BIOS : Dell Computer Corporation A16
Mainboard : Dell Computer Corporation Latitude CP M233ST
System Chipset : Intel Corporation 82439TX 430TX System Controller
L2 External Cache : 512kB pipeline-burst write-back
Front Side Bus Speed : 1x 66MHz (66MHz data rate)
Installed Memory : 128MB EDO
Memory Bus Speed : 1x 66MHz (66MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Default Monitor
Adapter : NeoMagic MagicGraph128XD

Physical Storage Devices
Disk Drive : GENERIC IDE DISK TYPE55
Disk Drive : GENERIC NEC FLOPPY DISK
CD-ROM/DVD : TEAC CD-224E

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 3.8GB (1014MB, 26% Free) (FAT32)
CD-ROM/DVD (D:) : N/A

Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 2 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : Microsoft MSN(tm) DSL 1000 Modem USB Interface
PCMCIA/CardBus Controller : PCMCIA Card Services
PCMCIA/CardBus Controller : Texas Instruments PCI-1131 CardBus Controller
PCMCIA/CardBus Controller : Texas Instruments PCI-1131 CardBus Controller
Keyboard : Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Mouse : PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port

MultiMedia Device(s)
Device : Crystal WDM Audio Control Registers
Device : Crystal WDM Audio Codec
Device : Microsoft Kernel System Audio Renderer
Device : Microsoft Kernel Audio Mixer
Device : Microsoft Kernel DRM Descrambler Filter
Device : Microsoft Kernel GS Wavetable Synthesizer
Device : Microsoft Kernel Audio Splitter
Device : Microsoft Kernel DLS Synthesizer

Communication Device(s)
Device : Xircom Modem 56-GlobalACCESS

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows Me Ver 4.90.3000
DOS Sub-System : Microsoft MS-DOS Ver 8.00 A

Network Adapter(s)
Networking Installed : No
Adapter : Dial-Up Adapter
Adapter : Microsoft MSN(tm) DSL 1000 Modem

I want to install mandrake linux and Windows 98? would that be better or worse than ME?

I did a bios flash about a wek ago. Dell claims it can handle 256 megs of EDO RAM now.... hmmmm wonder if I should just install my 40 gig hd and buy some RAM and a DVD/CD RW drive from dell and put XP back on.....