Can Microsoft software and operating systems EVER be safe? Because I'm a dog companion/walker and not a gee-wiz total geek, I'd like to feel a little safer when I use Microsoft products. At least Microsoft provides excellent tech support; today, a very nice tech guy helped me resurrect my very screwed up computer...

When Microsoft came out with its Photo Story 3 several days ago, I just HAD to download it, even though I had to go through the involved process of validation as a "genuine" Microsoft user. I never did install Photo Story, even though I downloaded it, because it turns out Photo Story 3 also requires Media Player 10, another 12 megabyte download. (no problem, I decided and started downloading it).

But after I 'validated'  Windows XP Professional, funny things started happening. My computer acted like it had a mind of its own and would unceremoniously just lock me out of a program while I was working. I thought I had a trojan or something. I couldn't finish my download... 

It didn't make sense, however. My firewall was intact. My antivirus software was up-to-date. McAfee's Avert Stinger didn't find any trojans either...

I couldn't use Opera anymore; I couldn't do anything. Everything ground to a screeching halt. My computer was effectively reduced to a one-note musical instrument: it would only 'beep' when I hit any key. After numerous reboots, uninstall and reinstall of Opera, I gave up... and called Microsoft:

• Microsoft tech: hello, how can I help you?
• Me: 'I think my computer is possessed or something. It has a mind of its own, all of a sudden...' I describe how I did the 'genuine validation' so I could get free goodies (free software) from Microsoft, how when I 'validated' my operating system, my computer was transformed into a one-note musical keyboard..
• MS support guy: okay, we'll get you squared away. He assigns me a ticket number and transfers me to a another tech guy who can help...
• Now that I'm transferred, I repeat my plea to the New support guy:
• Embarrassed, I tell him I'm using Opera, because I'm worried about Internet Security and that I DO indeed use Internet Explorer, but only when I have to.
• He very calmly tells me to go to 'system restore.' Oops, system restore is not in use, system restore is 'stopped.' I feel stupid and start to really worry...
• He then says: okay, try going into 'SAFE' mode and steps me into rebooting the computer, hitting the F8 key. no problem. I'm there. He has me reboot into 'normal' mode.
• And voila... all the problems are FIXED. I can once again operate my computer... all the problems have melted away, as magically as they appeared.
• Gerard tells me he'll keep my ticket 'open' until tomorrow, just in case my computer starts misbehaving again; you never know...

According to Gerard, a very patient tech support at Microsoft, a myriad of problems can sometimes be fixed by booting into 'SAFE' mode and then back into 'normal' windows operation. For this reason, booting into 'SAFE' mode and then a normal shutdown and reboot into normal mode is the first thing to try when Windows starts misbehaving. 

He explained that SAFE mode clears out the cache (hmmm... but I always empty my cache), really clears it out, and also clears out damaged code lingering about from installing 'extensions.' He theorized that my slow 56k connection may have damaged the download from Microsoft, which resulted in a 'defective' install.

As a result, I'm happy, a 'satisfied' customer, despite losing a day of work time. I ask how to prevent this from happening in the future. He recommended faster downloading to prevent damaged installations. I also ask what book to read, so I won't be so ignorant in the future... he recommended 'Windows XP, Inside/Out.' I already owned it, read it, and should have taken a crack at skimming it once more before calling Microsoft. Hurrah for Microsoft...

and, yes, I will eventually install Photo Story 3. It's supposed to be the 'cat's meow', superb software for slideshow creation.

Prescription glasses for dogs ... See Spot! Doggie eyewear manufacturer, Doggle, and Dr. Michael Brinkman, a veterinary ophthalmologist in Las Vegas, have collaborated to create a doggie prescription eyeglass wear that may just help vision-impaired dogs see more than spots...... [ABC News]