Safe mode lets you work with "bare bones" Windows. You have access to your drives, so you can copy or delete files. You can use Registry Editor to inspect or edit Registry. But Control Panel | System | Device Manager will return message "Status is not available when Windows is running in Safe Mode" for properties of every device, so you can't troubleshoot area that causes majority of Windows problems.

4. Step-by-step confirmation performs startup process one step at a time. Before each step a message is displayed on screen letting you select to run or bypass step. This lets you bypass steps that returned "failure" in bootlog.

Windows 95 and 98 may provide you with several additional startup options, for example "Command prompt only", "Previous version of MS-DOS", or "Safe Mode with Network Support". Windows Me does not contain an independent DOS command processor so these modes are not available.

Windows 2000 and XP also provide you with several additional startup options, for example "Enable VGA mode", "Last Known Good Configuration", and "Debugging mode",which can be used for specific troubleshooting purposes.

If Windows freezes up or display becomes unintelligible, you can bypass some of Windows complexity and bloat by choosing an alternate startup mode. One of these alternate startup modes may provide you some clues as to source of problem, or permit you to troubleshoot. ---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to mailto:bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com ----------------------------------------------------------

So what do we do?

Security Tips:

> The best passwords consist of non-sequential numbers and letters used in a combination. Don't use words or word and number combinations that can be guessed at.

> Don't use same password for different sites. Especially your banking password(s).

> Don't store your passwords on your computer. Data on your computer is subject to remote theft. In addition you should protect yourself with a good firewall and anti-virus software.

> Don't write down your passwords on a sticky note and place it on your monitor, under your keyboard, mouse pad, etc...

> The best secure place for a password is in your head. However we all know that our heads are full of a lot of other info, and our non-sequential passwords may be difficult for us to remember... If you must write down a password - lock it up when it's not in use, or at very least, stash it safely.

> Change your password frequently; particularly really important ones.

> Use passwords that are at least eight digits long. If you're given a choice always opt for a long password as each digit makes it a longer and harder process of cracking.

> Do not share your passwords with anyone. If you have to share your password because a technician is working on your PC, or a web site techie is installing a script on your site or a designer is uploading some web pages to your site, then change password(s) as soon as work is done.

Conducting transactions on web is safe. Doing business on web is safe. Filling out forms on web is also safe. As long as you exercise a bit of security consciousness on your part these activities are no more at risk than they are in off-line world.