MicroSoft Plus

Installation went well, so well it was almost spooky. Just click here and there, what a marvel. However, as with all good things it came to a searching end. What was the problem? It couldn't recognize my modem? But I have a Sportster 28.8. OK so it didn't recognize it. Since I am not exactly a computer "know it all", I decided to graciously admit defeat and figure it out later (although hoping deep down inside that the computer would do so on it's own some how).

I didn't play around much after that. I had some work to do and couldn't give any more attention to my new toy. I shut down and went about my tasks. Later on in the evening another task lead me back to my computer. It booted up fine. A friend of mine had come over to do some computer work for me. Not too long after she started, my nightmare began ... "Dee Dee, it can't find your D drive, I can't get the CD to run." On examining the situation a little more closely I noticed that my trusty Zip Drive had all of a sudden changed name. It had gone from an "I" Drive to a "D" drive. Well, that explained it, no wonder why Peachtree couldn't find the CD. It was looking for it in the place where it was supposed to be. There was a moment of panic. All of my files were on my Zip Disk, what if I couldn't get access to those!??? I went to "My Computer" and discovered that Microsoft Plus had been kind enough to allow me access to my Zip Drive as long as I played it's game. Not a problem, especially since I wasn't sure of how or what to troubleshoot. (I was also painfully aware of the fact that I was still running my Zip Drive from a driver that was in tune with Windows 3.1 and not with Windows 95.) OK, not a problem. I could play the masquerade game too and as long as Windows 95, Microsoft Plus and I could understand each other I could live with the fact that my other applications, when it came to CD ROM access, would just have to take a back seat. I did try to check through the manual which although skimpy, is more detailed than it's Windows 95 counterpart. No, no answers there. However when I called a friend to see if this was "normal" I was told that the "rearrangement trick" was an everyday occurrence. The solution? Very simple. All I had to do was disconnect my CD ROM drive, and my Zip Drive, reboot Windows 95, shut down Windows 95, reconnect the two drives, reboot again and everything should then be fine. Yep, an intuitive explanation. However, there was something in that sounded somewhat risky. Yes, I had installed my own CD ROM and sound card and was not afraid of that, my concern was more in the line of the Zip Drive which I had to coax, or rather trick Windows 95 into recognizing. (A feat I cannot remember how I did because I don't exactly know how it happened.)

A few days later I had a little bit of time and decided it was the opportune moment to see what Microsoft Plus was really all about. I played around with the desktops and found Leonardo DaVinci to my liking. I checked to see if the Disk Agent had been busy and found that like a good little worker it had dutifully performed all of the functions it was scheduled to do. This was wonderful. Maybe, just maybe I could live with my schizophrenic drives after all. That was until I tried to start Microsoft Money. At that point I had a 486 DX2 with 12 MB of RAM and no other applications open staring me in the face and having the nerve to tell me that I couldn't open the application because there was not enough memory. That did it! My work, (I am a small business and my computer is my livelihood.) was just too important. Microsoft Plus and I would have to part paths and quickly. Thank God I hadn't tried to compress the drive, although I had been very tempted to try it because I am somewhat desperate for disk space..

 The un-installation process went very smoothly. However, as is always the case, nothing is ever quite the same the second time around. My Zip Drive and CD ROM drive have recovered from their amnesia, however, the Zip Drive icon which used to be in "My Computer" has mysteriously vanished even though the eject button on the task bar still exists.

In spite of all these problems, I do have to admit that I would very much like to have Microsoft Plus on my system and will probably give it a second go around when my computer work is not at such a crucial point. As for right now I feel a lot safer with good old Windows 95. I would recommend this product, however, I would also caution anyone who depends on their computer like I do, to be ready for some "down" time as well as for a number of "surprises."

This product sells for approximately $45.00. In spite of all the problems I had I believe that it is a good investment and like all things will mellow with time.