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Table of Contents
Preface.
About the Author.
About the Series Editor.
1. New Features in Service Pack 2.
What's a Service Pack?
New Features of Service Pack 2
How Does Outlook Express Now Combat Spam?
Defense Against Spam
New SP2 Security Tools
Why SP2 Will Improve the Computing Experience
Get Ready to Install SP2
Install with Automatic Updates
Install with Windows Update
Other Installation Methods
Post Installation Tasks
Remove Service Pack 2
The Security Center
Wrap Up
2. Windows Installation and Upgrade.
A Tale of Two Families
XP Professional v. Home v. Tablet v. Media Center
XP's New Features
Install or Upgrade?
Upgrade to Windows XP
Files and Settings Transfer
Finish XP Migration
Activate Windows XP
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Wrap Up
3. Startup and Shutdown.
Set XP Startup Options
Set Startup and Recovery Options
Use the Power Button
The Startup Folder
Bypass the Startup Items
Restrict Shutdown
Fast User Switching
The System Configuration Utility
Clean Up the Desktop
Wrap Up
4. Disk and File System Management.
Add Hard Drive to Increase Storage
Partition a Drive
Format a Drive
Manage the XP File Systems
FAT16
FAT32
NTFS
Considerations for Dual Booting
Convert from One File System to Another
Basic Storage
Dynamic Storage
Upgrade a Basic Disk
Create a Volume on a Dynamic Disk
Extend a Volume
Run Disk Cleanup
Defragment a Volume
Govern AutoRun Behavior
Wrap Up
5. Customizing the Windows Interface.
Use Desktop Themes
Change the Appearance
Change the Desktop Background
Choose a Screen Saver
Use the My Pictures Slideshow
Change Monitor Settings
Improve Monitor Performance
Change the Date and Time
Change the Start Menu
Create Desktop Icons from the Start Menu
Use the Quick Launch Toolbar
Pin a Program
Start Menu and the Classic Theme
Change the Start Menu with Group Policy
Edit the Start Menu with a GPO
Edit Start Menu Contents
Use the Explorer Window to Edit the Start Menu
Add Other Content to the Start Menu
Wrap Up
6. The Command Line and Other Advanced Techniques.
Get Started with the Command Prompt
Command.com v. Cmd.exe
Use the Command Prompt's Online Help
Tips for Using Console Commands
AutoComplete at the Command Prompt
The Command Console and the Clipboard
Open the Command Prompt for a Specific Target
The Tree Command
Disk Quotas
Use Offline Files, Part I
Use Offline Files, Part II
Device Manager
Driver Signing
Wrap Up
7. Clicking Less.
Windows Explorer Defined -
Change the Task Pane -
Work with Explorer Views -
Modify the Details View -
Understand the New Views -
Use the Same View for All Folders
Add Album Art to Music Folders
Open Explorer for Specific Targets
Control the Explorer Bar's Contents
Customize Explorer
Navigate the Folder Structure
Customize the Places Bar in the Open Dialog Box
Customize the Send To Menu
Use Ctrl and Shift Keyboard Shortcuts
The Windows Key
Recycle Bin Options
Eliminate Confirmation of Delete Operations
Change the Size of the Recycle Bin
Wrap Up
8. Print Management.
Printing Vocabulary
Printer Types
Use Printers and Faxes
Set Up a Printer
Make a Printer Available to All
Connect to a Network Printer
Set Permissions on Network Printers
Manage a Printer
Use Two Printers, One Device
Set Hours of Availability
Print Priority
Set up a Print Pool
The Print Queue
The Print Spool
Redirect Print Jobs
Wrap Up
9. Playing Nicely with Others.
TCP/IP Fundamentals
TCP/IP's Big Three
Default Gateway
Automatically Configure TCP/IP
Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing
Alternate Configuration
IPCONFIG.EXE
PING.EXE
Repair a Connection
Connect Using Dial-Up Networking
Lend a Hand with Remote Assistance
Request Remote Assistance
Remote Assistance Network Considerations
Remote Desktop
Wrap Up
10. Setting Up a Wireless Connection, or How to Check Your Email in a Coffee Shop.
Types of Wireless Access
What's Down the Road
Wireless Network Adapters
Connect to an Existing Wireless Network
Additional Wireless Connection Considerations
Connect Automatically
Connect to a Secure Network
Connect to an "Unseen" Network
Disable the Existing Network Connection
Secure the Wireless Connection with 802.1x Authentication
Secure the Wireless Access Point
Infrared Communication
Wrap Up
11. Sharing and Securing Information.
What's a Server?
So What's a Share?
Allow Network Sharing
Share with Simple File Sharing
Classic Sharing in XP Professional
Control Access to Shared Folders
Share Permission Interactions
Secure Files and Folders with NTFS Permissions
Connect to a Shared Resource
Map a Drive
Firewall Settings for Sharing
Lock Your Computer
Work with Apple Computers
Wrap Up
12. Email and Internet Browsing Tricks.
Use Email Stationery
Email a Web Page
Access Web-Based Email in Outlook Express
Set Up Outlook Express with AOL
Back Up Your Email Files
Back Up Outlook Email
Restore from Backup
Protect Your Email: Disable Virus Scanning
Avoid Virus Hoaxes
Start Outlook Express from an IE Window
Stop Automatically Adding to Your Address Book
Use Multiple Outlook Express Identities
Use a Messenger Service
Block People from Contacting You in Messenger
Prevent Automatic Messenger Sign-In
Configure the Windows Firewall to Allow IM
Use "Find On Page"
Share Your Internet Favorites
Clear AutoComplete
Wrap Up
13. XP Backup and Recovery.
Backup Utility Basics
Select What to Back Up
Use Advanced Mode
Types of Backups
Create an Automated System Recovery
Restore with an ASR
Automate Backup
Change an Existing Scheduled Job
Use Existing Backup Settings
Restore a File from Backup
Understand System Restore
Use a Restore Point
Customize the System Restore Interval
Clean Up after System Restore
Other Backup Options
Wrap Up
14. Common Problems-Easy Fixes.
Add Yourself to the Administrators Group
Never Forget Your Password
Remove a Stored Network Place Password
Program Compatibility
Trouble Using Remote Assistance
Disable an IE Add-On
Diagnose Slow Performance
Disable Pop-Up Balloons
Manage SP2's Pop-up Blocker
Capture Screen Contents
Close a Frozen Application
Disable Error Reporting
Allow Active Content
Wrap Up
Index.
Preface
Untitled Document
So let's get one thing straight right from the start: You're no dummy, and this
isn't a book for dummies. Just because you weren't born with an intrinsic knowledge
of computer operating systems doesn't give anyone the right to call you an idiot,
dummy, dimwit, or otherwise insult your intelligence. One can fit only so much
information into the human noodle.
Anyway, that's the long version; that's what I want to tell people who ask
me about this book I'm writing. Instead, the conversations go something like
this:
INTERIOR SOCIAL SETTING—NIGHT.
THEM: ...writing a computer book? Cool. So what's it about?
ME: Windows XP, especially about Service Pack 2.
THEM: Oh yeah? Is it like one of those books for dummies?
ME: Not really.
No, it's not. This book is not for simpletons, and neither are computers. Operating
systems are relatively complex tools, certainly more so than a toaster. The
book is in no way "dumbed down." Rather, it assumes you are both a)
smart, and b) busy. This book allows users to quickly find information about
what makes Windows tick, and it shows you ways to use the operating system in
ways that will help you not think about using the operating system. I'll say
this throughout: the topics will help you work with your computer, not on your
computer.
The information herein is presented in a straightforward manner, using plain,
concise language. Technical concepts are discussed, yes, but technical knowledge
is not required. Where necessary, I include important background information
so that you'll know not only which buttons to click, but also what's going on
"under the hood." For example, if I were relaying instructions about
how to change your oil, I would of course include a brief explanation of why
this is beneficial. In other words, I'm trying to give the topics their proper
context, which will ultimately aid in your ability to understand and perform
the task at hand.
Who Should Read This Book
This book is aimed at a professional audience who wants task-based information
about working more efficiently with Windows XP. Also, it assumes that this same
audience has plenty of other things to read at night. If you spend a good portion
of your day in front of a Windows XP computer, whether at the job or at home,
then you'll find lots of useful information in these pages. Teachers, doctors,
lawyers, vets, salespeople, stockbrokers, policemen...just about anyone looking
to more efficiently use Windows XP will find something they like.
Will you find every single topic of interest? Of course not. No computer title
can be all things to all people. If you've used a computer before, you'll probably
find a few things that you already know how to do, and a few things that you
don't want to know about anyway. Easily fixed—don't read those parts. And,
if you've never used a computer before, then quite frankly this book will be
a little over your head, and you need to look for another title. Don't let anyone
call you dumb, though. Just remember: at one time, Bill Gates didn't know a
thing about Windows XP, either.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is organized so that, generally speaking, one chapter builds on the
next. However, each chapter, and indeed almost every chunk, can serve as a self-contained
entity—in other words, you won't have to read the thing cover to cover
(as entertaining as that might prove to be) to get the information you need.
One of the things that sets this book apart is its focus on the latest Service
Pack from Microsoft. Therefore, I start with an overview of Service Pack 2 so
that you'll have a better understanding about all the changes wrought by SP2.
The other 14 chapters incorporate the latest changes into the discussion when
necessary. Here is what the book covers:
1. New Features in Service Pack 2
2. Windows Installation and Upgrade
3. Startup and Shutdown
4. Disk and File System Management
5. Customizing the Windows Interface
6. The Command Line and Other Advanced Techniques
7. Clicking Less
8. Print Management
9. Playing Nicely with Others
10. Setting Up a Wireless Connection, or How to Check Your Email in a Coffee
Shop
11. Sharing and Securing Information
12. Email and Internet Browsing Tricks
13. XP Backup and Recovery
14. Common Problems—Easy Fixes
Online Bonus!—Help and Support Options (To download this chapter, go to
http://www.awprofessional.com/title/013167983X)
That's right. There's a bonus chapter for folks who register online. As the
chapter title suggests, the extra chapter is for those who are looking for additional
help when using, well, the Windows XP Help system.
What's Unusual About This Book
This book—like the other books in the Spring Into series—provides
the following eccentricities:
•Each topic is explained in a discrete one- or two-page unit called a "chunk."
•Each chunk, from the author's purview anyway, builds on the previous chunks
in that chapter.
•Most chunks contain one or more examples. The authors of this series believe
that good examples provide the foundation for almost all useful understandings
of conceptual material.
•Many chunks contain sidebars that provide helpful, if sometimes digressive,
ancillary material.
I assume that you are a very busy person for whom the time spent in the act
of buying this book was excruciatingly painful. To repay that incalculable opportunity
cost, we've adopted the chunk-style of presenting information so that you can
learn as rapidly as possible.
Finally, you'll find this book fun to read. Okay, maybe not to the point where
milk gushes from your nose, but you'll likely manage a grin from time to time.
Don't worry; I've opted for interesting over humorous whenever possible, and
I know you didn't pick up this book because the video store was out of Monty
Python or because Dave Barry has stopped doing his columns. But you have parted
with some hard-earned money for this book, and boring text—no matter what
the topic—is a slap in the face.
Who Helped Me Write This Book
This title was created with the aid and patience of many people, all of whom
share a singular job description: they have to clean up after my messes. These
people include:
Barry Rosenberg
Mark Taub
Jennifer Blackwell
David Fugate
Christof Falk
Dr. Neil Roodyn
Lori Lyons
Ben Lawson
I can't begin to describe the contribution that each of these individuals made
in creating this book. They all helped make the book you're holding right now
immeasurably better than the one I first submitted for review. I owe them all
a debt of gratitude.
Any errors or omissions in content, language, or exposition that remain are
a byproduct of the author's wanton carelessness. Then again, it could be your
own faulty comprehension skills.
Index
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file related to this title.