Topic: How to safely run MS-Word according to Microsoft. (Read 2663 times)

Nemesis · « **on:** May 24, 2006, 10:22:52 pm »

Quote

Microsoft has advised users of Word to run the application in Safe Mode in order to protect against "zero-day" attacks. The recommendation comes after the discovery of a serious flaw in the word processor that could result in code execution.

I don't use word and if I did I wouldn't follow this advice. Not because it doesn't work but because Safe Mode can't handle my monitor without "driving it out of range" and I am unready to replace my 22" monitor because of Windows destroying it.

Bonk · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2006, 10:15:12 am »

Um, how about just not opening word documents from untrusted sources? Much simpler solution.

Though notepad is still MS's best word processor. I love it. XyWrite and Vim work well for advanced text handling tasks.

Also, I find it very strange that your monitor cannot handle 640x480@60Hz. Pretty much a standard. I would never buy a monitor that does not support standard VGA/SVGA resolutions and refresh rates. You must be missing something, I can't imagine a monitor that does not support VGA. (monochrome terminals aside...)

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2006, 06:13:25 pm »

Perhaps we should just shoot one Microsoft for each virus attack.

Nemesis · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2006, 09:12:32 pm »

Quote from: Bonk on May 25, 2006, 10:15:12 am

Also, I find it very strange that your monitor cannot handle 640x480@60Hz. Pretty much a standard. I would never buy a monitor that does not support standard VGA/SVGA resolutions and refresh rates. You must be missing something, I can't imagine a monitor that does not support VGA. (monochrome terminals aside...)

The important thing is it handles 2048x1536 at a comfortable refresh level and I can play games at ANY resolution they can handle and still get good enough frame rates.

SFC2OP at 1280x1024 is quite comfortable and the frame rates stay nicely around 100 in all but the most comples situations where it might drop to the 70s at worst. Galactic Civization II is excellent at 1600 x 1200.

I'm able to edit 2 pages side by side on screen in my word processor so I'm quite happy. Not being able to operate in safe mode for long is something I can live with.

The one program that gave me trouble was Civ III it insisted (even after the patch to fix it) in operating out of range so I didn't play Civ III.

Strat · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2006, 10:20:35 pm »

What does your monitor working at insainly high resolutions have to do with anything?

Bonk is talking about the lower, basic, and universal resolution supported by all monitors.

That aside, something isn't right here, becuase like Bonk, I HIGHLY doubt your monitor can't display 640x480 at 60Hz.

And we're not talking about frames per/second anywhere in here.

LASTLY

Running Word in Safe Mode has NO AFFECT on the resolution of your monitor.

Consider these insructions:
---
1. Word will display SAFE MODE in title if it is operating in Safe Mode.

2. Right-click on your Desktop

3. Select New/Shortcut

4. Select Browse.

5. Locate winword.exe.

6. Append “ /safe” (without quotes) to the end of the file location, after the quotation mark.

7. Click Next, Name your shortcut as “Word Safe Mode”.

8. Click Finish.

(Short Version: Go to Start > Run> type: 'winword /safe' and press Enter.)
----

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/919637.mspx

Word in Safe Mode works ok for me at my desktops resolution.. in fact, its doen't even chang the resolution.

1024x768@60Hz

Perhaps you were thinking of running Windows in Safe Mode? That would be overkill. $:-\$

Nemesis · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2006, 06:29:32 am »

Quote from: Strat on May 27, 2006, 10:20:35 pm

What does your monitor working at insainly high resolutions have to do with anything?

Simple. I have a monitor that does everything except run at low refresh rates at low resolutions. I want those "insane" resolutions for word processing among other things and will sacrifice much use of Safe Mode to get it. Especially so as I have had this for a number of years now and at the time I bought it they were very rare and quite expensive. Even now they are not cheap or common.

As it does what I require and looks fabulous doing them I will tolerate the lack of Safe Mode, especially as I rarely need it and never for extended usage.

Strat · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2006, 12:05:42 pm »

Well I mean, who cares if it does 1024X768 or 1024,000x768,000... the issue at hand is why doesn't it support the standards?

What kind of monitor is it?

Nemesis · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2006, 06:52:27 pm »

Quote from: Strat on May 28, 2006, 12:05:42 pm

Well I mean, who cares if it does 1024X768 or 1024,000x768,000...

I do because I USE those resolutions. Most people wouldn't as they can't read the screen if they do. I can. I do.

Quote from: Strat on May 28, 2006, 12:05:42 pm

the issue at hand is why doesn't it support the standards?

It can support VGA resolution no problem. In Safe Mode however Windows tries to downshift the refresh rate too much. Since I don't need to use Safe Mode for more than a minute or two at a time it is not an issue. I just would never use Safe Mode to run programs.

Quote from: Strat on May 28, 2006, 12:05:42 pm

What kind of monitor is it?

NEC Multisync. At the time this was pretty much a top of the line monitor.

The Bar-Abbas Anomaly · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2006, 04:06:28 pm »

Are you sure you're not confusing running MS Word in safe mode as opposed to running Windows in safe mode?

$:-\$

Strat · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2006, 04:36:50 pm »

I already explained that to him.

The Bar-Abbas Anomaly · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2006, 04:52:16 pm »

Well, yeah, but his last Email still talked about different resolutions and refresh rates....

Strat · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2006, 05:12:51 pm »

Probably becuase he's not worried about Word anymore, but Windows not working with his monitor...

Thats the whole reason he made the thread in the first place, MS bashing.

Nemesis · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2006, 06:50:30 pm »

Quote from: Strat on May 30, 2006, 05:12:51 pm

Probably becuase he's not worried about Word anymore, but Windows not working with his monitor...

I never was worried about Word as I don't use it. Windows works with my monitor so long as I stay out of safe mode. Even then it works but it risks damaging the monitor if I do so for a sustained time.

Quote from: Strat on May 30, 2006, 05:12:51 pm

Thats the whole reason he made the thread in the first place, MS bashing.

Wrong. I posted it for one reason. There are people here who use Word and if they have not heard of this flaw and are vulnerable to it informing them could help them.

Please show where I bashed Microsoft or said anything untrue or insulting about them or their products. I merely pointed out a publicized flaw and the solution as suggested by Microsoft themselves.

Nemesis · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2006, 07:05:08 pm »

Quote from: Strat on May 30, 2006, 05:12:51 pm

Thats the whole reason he made the thread in the first place, MS bashing.

A couple of threads you might begin reading at the link to see me defending and even complimenting Microsoft. Not the actions of a basher.

One can object to Microsofts illegal actions and wish to see them forced to stay within the law while still not bashing.

Link one

Quote

kudos to Microsoft.

Link two

I won't bother with a quote here but the essence is Microsoft is accused of stealing code for Windows and I DEFEND THEM.

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