Book description
Take your Windows XP knowledge to the next level! Designed for advanced home and office users, this thoroughly updated second edition delivers in-depth information on core and advanced Windows XP topics, including all-new coverage of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows Media Series 9, and Windows Movie Maker 2. The award-winning Inside Out format makes it easy to find the timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds you needand it features new Reality Check sidebars, which offer the straight scoop on popular wisdom about Windows XP.
Table of contents
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Inside Out, Second Edition
- A Note Regarding Supplemental Files
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ten Best Tips
- Acknowledgments
- We'd Like to Hear from You!
- About the CD
- Conventions and Features Used in This Book
- About the Authors
-
1. Setup and Startup
- 1. What's New in Windows XP
-
2. Installing and Configuring Windows XP
- Avoiding Compatibility Problems
- Preparing to Install Windows XP
- Setting Up Windows XP
- Activating Windows XP
- Automated Setup Options
- Moving Windows Settings and Files
- Accessibility Options
- Adding and Removing Windows Components
- Selecting a Web Browser and Other Middleware Components
- Configuring System Restore Options
- Configuring Startup Options
- 3. Help and Support Options
- 4. Installing, Uninstalling, and Managing Programs
- 5. Setting Up and Troubleshooting Hardware
-
2. Keeping Your System Secure
-
6. Security Essentials
- Windows Security Issues
- Monitoring Windows XP Security
- Blocking Intruders with Windows Firewall
- Keeping Your System Secure with Windows Update
- Blocking Viruses and Worms with an Antivirus Program
- Advanced Security Tools and Techniques
- 7. Managing User Accounts, Passwords, and Logons
- 8. Securing Files and Folders
- 9. Securing Your Internet Connection
-
6. Security Essentials
-
3. Customizing Windows
-
10. Tuning Up System Performance
- Detecting Common Performance Bottlenecks
- Monitoring Memory Usage
- Avoiding CPU Overload
- Making the Most of Virtual Memory
- Managing Programs and Processes
- Advanced System Performance Measurement
- Advanced System Tweaks
-
11. Tweaking the Windows XP Interface
- A Road Map to the Windows XP User Interface
- Making It Easy to Start Your Favorite Programs
- Making It Easy to Open Your Favorite Documents
- Managing Desktop Clutter
- Changing Colors, Fonts, and Visual Effects
- Customizing the Taskbar
- Removing Unneeded Icons from the Notification Area
- Streamlining Control Panel
- Customizing Windows XP with Tweak UI
-
12. Advanced Internet Explorer Options
- Choosing a Default Web Browser and Java Virtual Machine
- Customizing the Internet Explorer User Interface
- Configuring Internet Explorer to Work with Other Programs
- Using (or Refusing) AutoComplete
- Managing Your Favorites
- Blocking Pop-Ups
- Managing Cookies
- Searching the Internet
- Managing the Web Cache
- Using Internet Explorer as an FTP Client
- 13. Managing User Profiles
- 14. Configuring Shutdown and Power Management Options
-
15. Automating Windows XP
- Scheduling Tasks to Run Automatically
- Automating Command Sequences with Batch Programs
- Automating Tasks with Windows Script Host
-
10. Tuning Up System Performance
-
4. Storage and File Management
-
16. Windows Explorer for Experts
- Choosing Between Common Tasks and Classic Folders
- Customizing the Toolbars
- Displaying the Status Bar
- Using Explorer Bars
- Choosing View Options
- Sorting and Grouping Icons
- Choosing a Folder Template
- Putting Pictures on Folder Icon
-
Choosing Advanced Folder Options
- Automatically Search for Network Folders and Printers
- Display File Size Information in Folder Tips
- Display Simple Folder View in Explorer's Folders List
- Display the Contents of System Folders
- Display the Full Path in the Address Bar and Title Bar
- Do Not Cache Thumbnails
- Hidden Files and Folders
- Hide Extensions for Known File Types
- Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended)
- Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process
- Managing Pairs of Web Pages and Folders
- Remember Each Folder's View Settings
- Restore Previous Folder Windows at Logon
- Show Control Panel in My Computer
- Show Encrypted or Compressed NTFS Files in Color
- Show Pop-Up Descriptions for Folder and Desktop Items
- Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)
- Using Cascading Folder Menus
-
Working with File Types and File Associations
- Changing the Default Action for a File Type
- Changing the Application Associated with a File Type
- Changing a File Type's Icon
- Making the Extension of a Particular File Type Visible
- Specifying Download Behavior
- Customizing a File Type's Shortcut Menu
-
Customizing Shortcut Menus by Editing the Registry
- How Shortcut Menu Information Is Recorded in the Registry
- Creating a Per-Computer Shortcut Menu Command
- Creating a Per-User Shortcut-Menu Command
- Adding a Command to an Extended Shortcut Menu
- Including Environment Variables in Command Strings
- Customizing the Shortcut Menu for All Files of a "Perceived" File Type
- Customizing the Shortcut Menu of Unregistered File Types
- Customizing the Shortcut Menu of All File Types
- Customizing the Shortcut Menus of System Objects
- Editing the Registry to Remove a Shortcut Menu Command
- Using Windows Explorer's Command-Line Syntax
- Using GUIDs to Open Shell Folders in Windows Explorer
-
17. Managing and Finding Files
- Seven Principles of Effective File Management
-
Using Tools for File Management
- Manipulating Files with the Folders Bar
- Inspecting and Setting File Properties
- Using Details View to See and Compare Properties of Many Files
- Creating and Customizing Document Shortcuts
- Protecting Files with the Read-Only Attribute
- Maximizing Storage Space with NTFS Compression and Compressed (Zipped) Folders
- Copying Files to CDs
- Using and Configuring the Recycle Bin
- Locating Files with Search Companion
- Using Indexing Service and Query Language
- Submitting Index Queries
-
Administering Indexing Service
- An Overview of the Indexing Process
- Indexing Files with Unknown Extensions
- Supplying an Alias for a Folder Name
- Stopping, Pausing, and Restarting
- Changing the Folders Included in a Catalog
- Excluding Specific Files on NTFS Disks
- Manually Rescanning a Folder
- Adjusting Indexing Service's Performance Parameters
-
18. Managing Disks and Drives
- Hard Disk Management 101
- NTFS or FAT32: Which Disk Format Should You Choose?
- Converting a FAT32 Disk to NTFS
- Basic and Dynamic Disks
-
Working with Partitions, Volumes, and Disks
- Creating Partitions from Free Disk Space
- Creating Logical Drives
- Formatting a Partition, Volume, or Logical Drive
- Assigning or Changing a Volume Label
- Deleting a Partition, Volume, or Logical Drive
- Assigning and Changing Drive Letters or Drive Paths
- Checking Properties and Status of a Disk or Partition
- Setting Quotas for Disk Space Use
- Setting AutoPlay Options for Removable Drives
- Working with Writable and Rewritable CD Drives
-
16. Windows Explorer for Experts
-
5. Mastering Digital Media
- 19. Using and Customizing Windows Media Player
-
20. Managing a Digital Music Collection
- Configuring Windows Media Player to Copy Music from CDs
- Ripping Audio Tracks from CD to Hard Disk
- Managing Your Media Library
- Working with Playlists
- Burning Custom CDs
- Copying to a Portable Device
- 21. Organizing and Editing Images
-
22. Using Windows Movie Maker
- What You Need to Use Windows Movie Maker
- Introducing Windows Movie Maker
- The Process of Making a Movie
- Gathering and Managing Source Materials
- Assembling Your Project on the Storyboard and Timeline
- Rendering Your Project into a Movie
- Resources for Further Learning
-
6. Networking
- 23. Setting Up a Small Network
- 24. Tweaking and Troubleshooting a Small Network
-
25. Managing Shared Folders and Printers
- Introducing Windows XP Sharing and Security Models
- Sharing a Folder over a Network
- Managing Shared Folders
- Accessing Shared Folders
- Sharing a Printer
- Command-Line Utilities for Managing Shared Resources
- 26. Remote Access Options
-
7. Using E-mail, Fax, and Messaging
-
27. Using and Customizing Outlook Express
- Getting Started with Outlook Express
- Managing Identities
-
Managing Contacts
- Organizing Contacts in Folders
- Adding Individual Contacts and Distribution Lists
- Adding Contacts Who Have Multiple E-Mail Addresses
- Adding Contacts from E-Mail Messages
- Exchanging Electronic Business Cards (vCards)
- Importing and Exporting Contacts
- Printing Your Address Book
- Backing Up Your Address Book
- Sending Mail
- Reading and Organizing Mail
- Blocking Dangerous Attachments
- Using Hotmail and Other Server-Based Systems
- Using Newsgroups
- Maintaining Outlook Express
-
28. Sending and Receiving Faxes
- Installing Fax
- Upgrading an Earlier Windows Fax Component
-
Configuring Fax
- Providing Information About Yourself
- Selecting a Fax Device and Configuring Send and Receive Settings
- Specifying Your Transmitting Station Identifier (TSID)
- Specifying Your Called Subscriber Identification (CSID)
- Routing Received Faxes to a Printer or Folder
- Choosing Paper Size, Image Quality, and Orientation
- Setting Retry Characteristics and Discount Hours
- Making Other Device-Specific Settings
- Setting Tracking Preferences
- Specifying the Locations of Fax Console's Inbox and Sent Items Folders
- Faxing a Document or Cover Page
- Receiving Faxes
- Creating Personal Cover Pages
- Managing Security
-
29. Communicating Over the Internet
- Introducing Windows Messenger
- Setting Startup Options
- Starting Windows Messenger
- Placing or Receiving a Call
- Sending and Receiving Files
- Using Windows Messenger for Online Meetings
-
27. Using and Customizing Outlook Express
-
8. System Maintenance and Recovery
- 30. Performing Routine Maintenance
- 31. Monitoring System Activities with Event Viewer
- 32. Recovering After a Computer Crash
-
33. Troubleshooting Windows Errors
- Decoding STOP Errors
- How to Read a STOP Error
- General Advice for Dealing with STOP Errors
-
How to Troubleshoot Specific STOP Errors
- STOP 0x0000000A or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
- STOP 0x0000001E or KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
- STOP 0x00000024 or NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
- STOP 0x0000002E or DATA_BUS_ERROR
- STOP 0x0000003F or NO_MORE_SYSTEM_PTES
- STOP 0x00000050 or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
- STOP 0x00000077 or KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR
- STOP 0x00000079 or MISMATCHED_HAL
- STOP 0x0000007A or KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR
- STOP 0x0000007B or INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
- STOP 0x0000007F or UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP
- STOP 0x0000009F or DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
- STOP 0x000000C2 or BAD_POOL_CALLER
- STOP 0x000000D1 or DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
- STOP 0x000000D8 or DRIVER_USED_EXCESSIVE_PTES
- STOP 0x000000EA or THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER
- STOP 0x000000ED or UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
- STOP 0x000000F2 or HARDWARE_INTERRUPT_STORM
- STOP 0xC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED
- STOP 0xC0000221 or STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
- Customizing How Windows Handles STOP Errors
-
34. Editing the Registry
- Understanding the Structure of the Registry
- Avoiding Registry Mishaps
- Browsing and Editing with Registry Editor
- Monitoring Registry Changes
- Using .Reg Files to Automate Registry Changes
- Working with a Remote Computer's Registry
- Changing Registry Key Permissions
- Editing the Registry from the Command Line
-
9. Appendixes
- A. Windows Versions at a Glance: Professional, Home Edition, and More
-
B. Working with the Command Prompt
- Starting and Ending a Command Prompt Session
- Using Commands
- Using Environment Variables
- Customizing Command Prompt Windows
-
C. Using and Customizing Microsoft Management Console
- Running MMC Consoles
- Using MMC Consoles
-
Creating Your Own MMC Consoles
- Running MMC with No Snap-In
- Displaying the Console Tree
- Adding Folders to the Console Tree
- Adding Snap-Ins and Extensions
- Adding ActiveX Controls and Internet Links
- Adding Taskpad Views
- Manipulating Windows
- Controlling Other Visual Elements
- Using the Favorites Menu
- Naming Your Console
- Choosing Between MMC's Three User Modes
- Imposing Further Restrictions
- Saving a Console
- D. Managing Services
- E. Viewing System Information
- F. Group Policy
- G. Index to Troubleshooting Topics
- Index
- About the Authors
- Copyright
Product information
- Title: Microsoft® Windows® XP Inside Out, 2nd Edition
- Author(s):
- Release date: October 2004
- Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
- ISBN: 9780735620445
You might also like
book
Microsoft® Windows® XP Unleashed
Windows XP Unleashed guides the advanced reader through nearly every Windows XP topic imaginable giving ideas …
book
Special Edition Using Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional, Third Edition
This updated edition covers all of the updates to Windows XP since it was released, including …
book
Insider Power Techniques for Microsoft® Windows® XP
Tweak Windows® XP for ultimate performance with the undocumented secrets and hidden gems of the experts …
book
Microsoft® Windows® Internals: Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000, 4th Edition
The premier guide to the Windows kernel now covers Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows …