book

Microsoft® Windows® XP Plain & Simple, 2nd Edition

by Marianne Moon, Jerry Joyce

September 2004

Beginner

352 pages

14h

English

Microsoft Press

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Microsoft® Windows® XP Plain & Simple, Second Edition
Acknowledgments
1. About This Book
No Computerese!Useful Tasks......And the Easiest Way to Do ThemA Quick OverviewWhat’s New in Windows XP?A Few AssumptionsA Final Word (or Two)
2. Jump Right In
Starting Up and Shutting DownStart Windows XPShut Down Your ComputerSwitching UsersChange UsersStarting a ProgramStart a ProgramAccessing Your DocumentsOpen My DocumentsOpen Any FolderSwitching Among Open WindowsSelect a WindowManaging WindowsUse the Buttons to Switch Between SizesUse the Mouse to Resize a WindowMove a WindowGetting HelpUse the Help And Support CenterUse Program HelpUse Dialog Box HelpUsing Shortcut Menus for Quick ResultsUse a Shortcut Menu Command
3. Running Programs and Playing Games
Composing a DocumentCreate a DocumentFormat the DocumentSaving, Closing, and Opening a DocumentSave a DocumentClose a DocumentOpen a DocumentCopying Material Between DocumentsCopy and Insert MaterialInserting Special CharactersFind and Insert a CharacterCrunching NumbersUse the CalculatorMake Complex CalculationsHaving the Computer Wake You UpSet the AlarmShut Off the AlarmCustomize the AlarmRunning CommandsRun a CommandFind a CommandGet Information About a CommandPlaying FreeCellPlay FreeCellPlaying HeartsPlay HeartsPlaying HyperBowlGo BowlingPlaying LabyrinthMove Through the MazePlaying MinesweeperPlay MinesweeperPlaying PinballPlay PinballPlaying Russian SquaresPlay Russian SquaresPlaying SolitairePlay SolitairePlaying Spider SolitairePlay Spider SolitairePlaying Games over the InternetPlay a GameRunning Older ProgramsSet the CompatibilityStarting a Program When Windows StartsAdd a Program to the Startup SubmenuChanging the Way a Program StartsModify the ShortcutQuitting When You’re StuckEnd the Task
4. Exploring the Internet
Finding a Web PageExploreSetting Your Home PageReset the Home PageReturning to Your Favorite SitesSave a LocationReturn to a LocationAccess Your Frequently Visited SitesGoing to a Specific Web PageSpecify an AddressSaving a Web PageSave a Web PageViewing Web Pages Off LineStore a Web PageView an Offline Web PageSynchronize Your Offline Web PagesControlling Pop-Up WindowsUse the Pop-Up ManagerCopying Material from a Web PageSave a PictureSave Some TextTransferring Files with FTPTransfer FilesFinding Something on the InternetSearch for an ItemTransferring Your SettingsSave the InformationTransfer the Information
5. Communicating
Sending E-MailCreate a MessageSaving and Sending a Draft MessageCreate a DraftSend the DraftReceiving and Reading E-MailRead Your MessagesUsing E-Mail on a Public ComputerCheck the MailDesigning Your Default MessageAdd a SignatureSpecify Your StationerySending or Receiving a FileSend a File by E-MailReceive an AttachmentReplying to or Forwarding a MessageReply to or Forward a MessageSubscribing to NewsgroupsSpecify Your NewsgroupsReading and Writing the NewsSelect a MessageReading E-Mail and News Off LineDownload the MessagesLimiting E-Mail SnoopingBlock the PicturesManaging Your MessagesCreate Your RulesManaging Your E-Mail ContactsCreate a New ContactAdd an Address from a MessageCreate a GroupAdding Online ContactsAdd a ContactSending Instant MessagesHave a Conversation On LineHaving a Voice and Video ChatHave a ChatSharing Items with Your ContactsShare a Program or a FolderUse the Shared ItemReceiving AlertsRead Your AlertsSending a File by Windows MessengerSend a FileFormatting and Sending Your MessageFormat the TextUse Emoticons
6. Working with Pictures and Movies
Drawing a PictureCreate a PictureUse the ToolsEditing a PictureCrop a PictureModify a Picture’s Size, Shape, or ColorScanning a PictureSet Up a PictureScan the PictureDownloading Digital Camera PicturesDownload PicturesManage the Camera and the PicturesViewing PicturesView All the PicturesPreview a Single PictureCreating a Video Slide ShowSet Up the StoryRecord the StoryEditing Your Video Slide ShowEdit the StoryCustomize a PictureSharing Your Video Slide ShowCreate Your VCDPublishing Pictures on the WebPublish Your PicturesCreating a Quick MoviePreview Your Video ClipsCreate the MovieCreating a Custom MovieSet Up the MovieSplitting, Combining, and Trimming ClipsCustomize Your ClipsAdding Transitions to Your MovieAdd the TransitionsUsing Video EffectsAdd the EffectsAdding Titles and CreditsAdd the TitleAdd the CreditsAdding Audio to Your MovieCreate a NarrationAdd a SoundtrackAdding Slides to Your MovieAdd SlidesRecording Video ClipsRecord the VideoDownloading a Video from a Digital CameraDownload the VideoDownload Selected ClipsPlaying a DVDSet the DefaultsCustomize the PlayControlling Video PlaybackAdjust the Playback
7. Working with Music, Voice, and Sounds
Playing a Music CDPlay a CDDownloading Music InformationSet Up Automatic DownloadingChanging Media Player’s SkinChange Its SkinPlaying Any Media FileStart PlayingChange the Play OrderArranging Your Media with PlaylistsCreate a PlaylistCreate an Auto PlaylistCopying CD MusicCopy the MusicCreate a Music CDLabeling Your CDsCreate the LabelsTransferring Music to a Portable DeviceManage the MusicPlaying Music for a PartySet the Party ModeParty!Converting Music FormatsFind the FilesConvert the FilesRecording Analog MusicRecord Your MusicSave the TracksTalking to Media PlayerSet It UpAdding Dancers to Your DesktopAdd DancersLetting Your Computer Do the TalkingListen to NarratorCreating a Sound FileRecord SoundsAdd Sounds and EffectsControlling the VolumeSet the Master Volume LevelSet the Volume for Individual DevicesSet the Recording VolumeAssociating a Sound with an EventUse an Existing Sound SchemeCreate a Sound Scheme
8. Printing and Faxing
Printing from a ProgramPrint a DocumentPrinting a DocumentPrint a Document Using the Default PrinterPrint a Document Using a Specific PrinterSpecifying a Default PrinterChange the DefaultControlling Your PrintingView the QueueStop the PressesPrinting Your PhotographsPrint the PicturesPrinting Web PagesCheck the LayoutSending a FaxFax a Single-Page NoteFax a DocumentReceiving a FaxReceive a Fax ManuallyReviewing a Fax You’ve ReceivedRead a FaxViewing and Annotating a FaxView a FaxAnnotate the FaxCreating a Fax Cover PageCreate a Cover Page

9. Managing Files and Folders
Organizing Your FilesMove or Copy a FileRename a FileRename a Group of FilesRecovering a Deleted ItemUndo a DeletionRestore an ItemChanging the Window ViewChoose a ViewArrange the InformationCompressing FilesCreate a Compressed FolderUse a Compressed FileAdding Files and Folders to the DesktopAdd a FileAdd a FolderSave a File to the DesktopSave Part of a File to the DesktopSharing Files with Other UsersShare a FileCreating Quick Access to a File or FolderCreate a Shortcut to a File or FolderCopying Files from and to a Removable DiskCopy Files from a DiskCopy Files to a DiskManaging a Removable DiskCheck the Amount of Space on a DiskFormat a DiskCopying Files to a CDGather and Copy Your Files and FoldersOrganize the CDCreate the CDFinding a FileFind a FileUse the ResultsNavigating with ToolbarsDisplay a ToolbarSee All the Buttons
10. Networking
Exploring Your NetworkConnect to a Shared FolderConnect to a ComputerConnect to a Computer in a Different WorkgroupSharing Items over the NetworkShare a FileShare a FolderShare a PrinterCreating a Connection to a Network FolderAssign a DriveControlling a Shared Dial-Up Internet ConnectionConfigure the ConnectionEnd the ConnectionCommunicating over the NetworkStart NetMeetingConnect to a ComputerControlling a Computer on Your NetworkShare the DesktopConnect to the ComputerControlling a Computer at Your WorkplaceConnect to the ComputerControl the ComputerConnecting to a Network Using a ModemCreate the Dial-Up ConnectionConnectConnecting to a Network over the InternetCreate the VPN ConnectionConnectConnecting to a Wireless NetworkConnect to an Open-Access NetworkConnect to a Secure NetworkConnecting to Your Computer from Another LocationCreate an Incoming Connection
11. Setting Up
Transferring Files and SettingsSet Up the ComputersTransfer the InformationAdding or Removing Windows ComponentsAdd or Remove a Component GroupAdd or Remove an Item in a Component GroupSetting Your Default ProgramsSet a Program to Always Open a FileSet the System DefaultsInstalling a Software ProgramInstall a ProgramSetting Up Dial-Up Internet AccessSet Up a ConnectionSetting Up Outlook ExpressSet Up Your E-Mail AccountAdd an AccountSetting Up for FaxingSet the OptionsSetting Up a PrinterSet Up a PrinterSetting Up a NetworkSet Up the Host ComputerSet Up a Network ClientAdding HardwareSet Up the Hardware
12. Customizing
Changing the Overall LookSwitch to the Classic Windows LookCustomize the LookCustomizing the DesktopUse a Background ColorUse a PictureDisplay and Customize the Desktop IconsCustomizing Your MouseSet the ButtonsSet the Mouse PointerCreating a Custom Desktop BackgroundAdd Web ContentDisplaying and Arranging the ToolbarsDisplay a ToolbarMove ItCustomizing the Start MenuChoose and Customize the StyleAdd or Remove a Start Menu ProgramAdd a Shortcut to an Item to the Start MenuCustomizing the TaskbarCustomize the TaskbarChanging the LogonChange to the Traditional LogonLog OnCustomizing Your FoldersChange the Way All the Folders WorkChange the Look of a FolderChange the Content That’s ShownChanging the Way a CD StartsSet the AutoPlayChanging Your Account PictureChange Your PictureUsing Alternative Ways of WorkingSet the OptionsUse More ToolsWorking in a Different Part of the WorldChange the Default RegionAdd Language SupportUsing a Screen SaverChoose a Screen SaverCreate a Custom Screen SaverCreating a Multimedia Screen SaverCreate Your Screen-Saver Slide Show
13. Maintaining Security
Keeping Your Files PrivateKeep the My Documents Folder PrivateSetting Your PasswordCreate a PasswordChanging Your PasswordChange Your PasswordResetting Your PasswordCreate a Password Reset DiskReset Your PasswordProtecting Your Files with a PasswordEncrypt a Compressed FolderRestricting User RightsChange the Type of AccessUse the Guest AccountLocking Your ComputerLock the ComputerProtecting Personal Information on the InternetSet Your ProfileControl Those CookiesSetting Internet Explorer SecuritySet Your SecurityRestricting Internet AccessSet the RestrictionsMonitoring Your Security SettingsCheck Your Primary SettingsCheck Your Other SettingsConfiguring the Windows FirewallConfigure the FirewallAllow or Block Program AccessCreating Custom Access Across the FirewallAdd Program AccessAdd a PortUsing Windows Services Across the FirewallDesignate the ServiceEnable ICMPInstalling Critical FixesConfigure Your DownloadingDownload an UpdateInstall an UpdateUsing a Digital ID for Secure E-Mail MessagesSet Up Your SecurityExchange Digital IDsSecuring Your Wireless NetworkConfigure Your SecurityConfigure Your NetworkFoiling E-Mail VirusesProtect Yourself and Others
14. Managing Windows XP
Adding and Deleting User AccountsAdd an AccountDelete an AccountTidying Up the DesktopStart the CleanupChanging the Date or TimeChange the Date or TimeChanging the DisplayIncrease the Screen AreaChanging the Disk FormatConvert the DiskCompressing a Drive or a FolderCompress a DriveCompress a File or a FolderMaintaining Your Hard DiskMaintain a DrivePreventing Hardware ProblemsPrevent a ProblemControlling the Power OptionsUse a Power SchemeSet Advanced OptionsSet Battery OptionsSet Other OptionsUpdating Your SystemSelect Your UpdatesChecking the Status of WindowsCheck the StatusGetting Free SoftwareDownload the SoftwareRemoving a Software ProgramUninstall a ProgramManaging Internet Explorer Add-OnsManage the Add-OnsTroubleshoot the Add-OnsStarting Up When There’s a ProblemControl the StartupFixing System ProblemsRestore the SystemDocumenting Your SystemGet the InformationManaging EverythingUse the ConsoleTweaking Your SystemSet Up Your ToolsUse the ToolsHelping Each OtherAsk for HelpGive HelpBacking Up Your FilesBack Up Your FilesSet the Backup OptionsRestoring Backed-Up FilesRestore the FilesEditing Windows XP SettingsEdit the Registry
About the Authors
Index
About the Authors
Copyright

Content preview from Microsoft® Windows® XP Plain & Simple, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1. About This Book

In this section

If you want to get the most from your computer and your software with the least amount of time and effort—and who doesn’t?—this book is for you. You’ll find Microsoft Windows XP Plain & Simple, Second Edition to be a straightforward, easy-to-read reference tool. With the premise that your computer should work for you, not you for it, this book’s purpose is to help you get your work done quickly and efficiently so that you can get away from the computer and live your life. Our book is based on the Home Edition of Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed, but if you don’t have the latest service pack installed ...

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ISBN: 0735621128Errata

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Microsoft® Windows® XP Plain & Simple, 2nd Edition

by Marianne Moon, Jerry Joyce

Chapter 1. About This Book

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.