Unfortunately, Windows ME tends to eat itself over time, meaning that corruption and flat out funkyness can occur just with use over a long period of time.  Spyware/viruses could be an issue.  If you have critical documents you need to recover, I would try running some AV program and a spyware program (Ad-Aware, Spybot) to hopefully at least get your system somewhat stable.  The easiest and perhaps only solution to fully restore your computer back to normal though would be to reformat.  If possible, upgrade to Windows XP as well.

thank you Compman2000!

if i could ask you one more question? If I buy Windows xp and reformat my laptop, do I need to take all my folders off the laptop? or does it just switch from ME to XP?  Can you tell I'm not too computer savvy!!!!

thanks again

Gina

Oh I've been around plenty of people who aren't computer savvy =). 

If you reformat then install XP, you must back up everything you want to keep because your hard drive will be completely erased.  If you simply upgrade from ME to XP, you can keep your files but those errors and problems you're having will more than likely transfer to XP in some fashion.  Starting with a clean XP install is the best way to go.