Microsoft Windows XP : Simply Visual

by Wempen, Faithe

• ISBN13: 9780782143942
• ISBN10: 0782143946
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-26
• Publisher: Sybex

Summary

Learning How to Use Windows XP Has Never Been Easier!This highly illustrated introduction to the latest release of Windows XP is packed with easy-to-follow lessons that make learning simple. Just follow the screens and instructions, step by step, and you'll understand the most essential and frequently used features of Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition. If you want to explore beyond the basics, you'll find tips on customizing your computer, setting up a home network, and much more.Master all the fundamental skills, including: Navigating and managing files and folders Installing and running programs with Windows XP Working with photographs and still images Playing with music and videos Customizing the look and function of Windows XP Setting up a home network Connecting your computer to the Internet Exploring the web Communicating online Customizing your online experience Optimizing system performance Safeguarding and troubleshooting your system Installing new hardware

Author Biography

Faithe Wempen has authored over 20 computer books on topics including Microsoft's Windows Me, Windows 98, Office, Access and PowerPoint. Skilled at instructing newbies, Wempen's Indianapolis-based training operation teaches beginners how to use PCs. Wempen is A+ certified, holds a masters degree in English, and has taught writing and composition.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xiii
Part 1 Navigating and Managing Files and Folders in Windows XP	1	(74)
Getting Started with Windows XP Home Edition	3	(18)
Starting Windows	4	(1)
Learning the Parts of the Screen	4	(4)
Start Button and Start Menu	5	(2)
Icons	7	(1)
Taskbar	7	(1)
Using Help and Support	8	(9)
Browsing Help Topics	9	(2)
Using the Help Index	11	(1)
Searching for a Help Topic	12	(1)
Working with Help Topics	13	(2)
Browsing Support Options	15	(1)
Closing the Help System	16	(1)
Using What's This?	16	(1)
Shutting Down Windows	17	(4)
Turning Off or Restarting the PC	17	(1)
Using Standby or Hibernate	18	(3)
Navigating in a Window	21	(14)
Parts of a Window	22	(1)
Opening and Closing a Window	23	(1)
Minimizing and Maximizing	24	(1)
Minimizing a Window	24	(1)
Maximizing a Window	25	(1)
Moving and Resizing a Window	25	(1)
Moving a Window	25	(1)
Resizing a Window	25	(1)
Scrolling a Window's Content	26	(1)
Switching among Open Windows	26	(2)
Working with Menus	28	(3)
Drop-Down Menus	28	(1)
Start Menu	29	(1)
Shortcut Menus	30	(1)
Working with Dialog Boxes	31	(2)
Working with Toolbars	33	(2)
Toolbars in Windows	33	(1)
Toolbars in the Taskbar	33	(2)
Managing Files, Folders, and Disks	35	(28)
File Management Overview	36	(1)
Opening a File Management Window	37	(4)
Opening the My Computer Window	39	(1)
Opening the Windows Explorer Window	39	(1)
Opening Other File Management Windows	40	(1)
Navigating between Folders	41	(3)
Selecting from the Folder List	41	(1)
Moving Up and Down in the Folder System	42	(1)
Using Back and Forward Buttons	43	(1)
Manipulating Files and Folders	44	(6)
Selecting Files and Folders	44	(2)
Moving and Copying Files and Folders	46	(3)
Deleting Files and Folders	49	(1)
Renaming Files and Folders	49	(1)
Creating New Folders	50	(1)
Searching for Files and Folders	51	(3)
Working with the Recycle Bin	54	(2)
Restoring a Deleted File	54	(1)
Emptying the Recycle Bin	55	(1)
Formatting Disks	56	(2)
Copying a Floppy Disk	58	(1)
Copying Files to a Writeable CD	59	(4)
Setting File Management Options	63	(12)
Choosing How Files Are Displayed	64	(5)
Selecting a View	64	(2)
Changing the Displayed Details	66	(1)
Changing File Sort Order	67	(2)
Displaying or Hiding Window Controls	69	(2)
Displaying or Hiding the Status Bar	69	(1)
Controlling the Explorer Bar	69	(2)
Setting Folder Options	71	(2)
Setting Folder Viewing Options	73	(2)
Part 2 Running Programs with Windows XP	75	(66)
Program Basics and Exploring Accessories	77	(28)
Starting a Program	78	(2)
Playing with Calculator	80	(2)
Exploring a Program's Help Feature	82	(1)
Working with Notepad	83	(3)
Typing in Notepad	85	(1)
Turning on Word Wrap in Notepad	85	(1)
Working with Data Files	86	(6)
Saving a File	86	(4)
Opening a File	90	(1)
Printing a File	91	(1)
Exiting a Program	92	(1)
Working with WordPad	92	(5)
Formatting Text	94	(2)
Formatting Paragraphs and Pages	96	(1)
Working with Paint	97	(5)
Choosing a Color	98	(1)
Drawing a Line or Shape	99	(1)
Undoing and Erasing	100	(2)
Sharing Data between Programs	102	(3)
Installing New Programs	105	(16)
Adding and Removing Windows Components	106	(3)
Installing a New Program	109	(3)
Removing an Installed Program	112	(2)
Updating Windows XP	114	(7)
Getting Automatic Updates	114	(1)
Installing an Automatic Update	115	(2)
Getting Updates Manually	117	(4)
Organizing Your Programs	121	(20)
Changing the Start Menu's Appearance	122	(5)
Changing to the Classic Start Menu	122	(1)
Changing Start Menu Properties	123	(4)
Changing the Start Menu's Content	127	(5)
Changing the Top-Level Start Menu	127	(2)
Changing the All Programs Menu	129	(3)
Working with Desktop Shortcuts	132	(4)
Arranging Shortcuts	132	(2)
Deleting a Desktop Shortcut	134	(1)
Creating a New Desktop Shortcut	135	(1)
Customizing Toolbars	136	(2)
Adjusting Toolbar Length	137	(1)
Changing Toolbar Buttons	137	(1)
Managing Programs in the System Tray	138	(3)
Opening a System Tray Program's Window	138	(1)
Closing a System Tray Program	139	(1)
Controlling Which Programs Load at Startup	139	(2)
Part 3 Working with Multimedia Content	141	(64)
Working with Photographs and Still Images	143	(16)
Setting Up a New Scanner or Digital Camera	144	(3)
Does Windows Recognize Your Scanner or Camera?	144	(1)
Running the Scanner and Camera Installation Wizard	145	(2)
Scanning from an XP-Compatible Scanner	147	(4)
Transferring Pictures from a Digital Camera	151	(3)
Viewing Images	154	(1)
Printing a Photo	154	(3)
Ordering Photo Prints Online	157	(2)
Playing Music and Videos	159	(24)
Introducing Windows Media Player	160	(3)
Getting the Latest Version	161	(2)
Using the Windows Media.com Guide	163	(1)
Playing Internet Radio Stations	164	(4)
Playing a Featured Station	164	(2)
Browsing the Available Stations	166	(1)
Bookmarking Your Favorite Stations	167	(1)
Playing an Audio CD	168	(6)
Customizing the Now Playing Tab	169	(2)
Using the Player Controls	171	(1)
Selecting Which Tracks to Play	171	(1)
Ripping CD Tracks	172	(2)
Working with the Library	174	(4)
Playing a Clip	174	(1)
Removing a Clip from the Library	175	(1)
Adding Clips to the Library	175	(1)
Automatically Adding Many Clips at Once	176	(2)
Copying Music to a Portable Digital Audio Player	178	(1)
Creating an Audio CD	179	(2)
Playing a DVD Movie	181	(2)
Creating Your Own Sounds and Videos	183	(22)
Using Sound Recorder	184	(2)
Recording a New Sound Clip	184	(1)
Playing Back a Recorded Clip	185	(1)
Saving a Clip as a File	186	(1)
Introducing Windows Movie Maker	186	(2)
Starting Windows Movie Maker	188	(1)
Creating Collections	189	(1)
Recording New Content	190	(5)
Recording from a Video Camera	190	(5)
Importing Existing Content	195	(2)
Creating a Movie Project	197	(3)
Starting a New Project	197	(1)
Understanding Project Views	197	(1)
Adding Clips to the Project	198	(1)
Changing the Duration of a Still Image	199	(1)
Applying Video Effects	200	(1)
Adding Sound and Narration	200	(2)
Adding a Musical Soundtrack	201	(1)
Recording Narration	201	(1)
Previewing the Movie	202	(1)
Saving the Movie	203	(2)
Part 4 Customizing Windows XP	205	(66)
Adjusting Screen Appearance	207	(16)
Changing the Display Mode	208	(4)
Changing the Resolution and Color Depth	208	(2)
Changing the Refresh Rate	210	(2)
Changing the Desktop Appearance	212	(6)
Working with Desktop Themes	212	(1)
Changing the Desktop Background	213	(2)
Changing Screen Colors and Window/Button Style	215	(2)
Changing Desktop Icon Appearance	217	(1)
Choosing a Screensaver	218	(2)
Changing How the Taskbar Looks and Operates	220	(3)
Setting Taskbar Properties	220	(2)
Resizing the Taskbar	222	(1)
Customizing System Settings	223	(14)
Setting the Date and Time	224	(1)
Changing Keyboard Properties	225	(2)
Adjusting Mouse Operation	227	(3)
Setting Sound and Audio Properties	230	(4)
Assigning Sounds to Events	234	(3)
Managing Fonts and Printers	237	(18)
Setting Up a New Printer	238	(7)
Starting the Add Printer Wizard	238	(2)
Setting Up a Local Printer	240	(3)
Setting Up a Network Printer	243	(2)
Setting Printer Properties	245	(2)
Sharing a Printer	247	(1)
Controlling a Print Queue	248	(2)
Managing Fonts	250	(5)
Viewing Installed Fonts	250	(2)
Previewing a Font	252	(1)
Deleting a Font	253	(1)
Adding a Font	253	(2)
Sharing a PC with Multiple Users	255	(16)
Introducing User Accounts	256	(1)
Logging Off	257	(1)
Switching between Users	258	(1)
Managing User Accounts	259	(7)
Opening the User Accounts Window	260	(1)
Adding an Account	261	(1)
Deleting an Account	262	(1)
Renaming an Account	263	(1)
Changing an Account's Privileges	263	(1)
Changing an Account's Picture	264	(2)
Managing Account Passwords	266	(3)
Setting a Password	266	(1)
Removing a Password	267	(1)
Changing a Password	268	(1)
Changing the Login Screen	269	(1)
Turning the Guest Account On	270	(1)
Part 5 Online and Network Connectivity	271	(112)
Setting Up a Home Network	273	(18)
Understanding Networks	274	(1)
Setting Up Windows for Networking	275	(6)
Checking for Existing Network Connectivity	275	(2)
Running the Network Setup Wizard	277	(4)
Sharing Folders	281	(7)
Accessing Your Shared Documents Folder	282	(1)
Accessing Shared Files on Another PC	283	(1)
Creating a New Network Place	284	(2)
Sharing Other Folders on Your PC	286	(2)
Sharing Other Resources	288	(1)
Making a Folder Private	288	(3)
Connecting to the Internet	291	(16)
Understanding Internet Service Providers	292	(1)
Signing Up for a New Internet Account	292	(4)
Setting Up a Connection Manually	296	(4)
Dialing a Connection	300	(1)
Configuring Dialing Rules	301	(4)
Troubleshooting Dial-up Problems	305	(2)
Exploring the Web	307	(14)
Viewing Web Pages	308	(2)
Using the Internet Explorer Toolbar	309	(1)
Viewing a Specific Page	310	(1)
Locating Information on the Web	310	(4)
Using a Web Search Site	310	(2)
Searching with the Explorer Bar	312	(1)
Finding People	313	(1)
Working with Favorites	314	(3)
Adding a Web Page to the Favorites Menu	314	(1)
Modifying the Favorites Menu	315	(2)
Printing a Web Page	317	(1)
Using the Pop-Up Blocker	318	(3)
Communicating Online	321	(36)
Understanding E-Mail	322	(1)
Getting Started with Outlook Express	323	(5)
Setting Up a Mail Account	324	(3)
Setting Up Additional E-Mail Accounts	327	(1)
Managing E-Mail with Outlook Express	328	(13)
Receiving E-Mail	329	(7)
Composing a New E-Mail Message	336	(3)
Working with the Contacts List (Address Book)	339	(2)
Discussing Topics Publicly in Newsgroups	341	(8)
Setting Up a News Account in Outlook Express	341	(3)
Subscribing to Newsgroups	344	(2)
Reading Newsgroup Messages	346	(2)
Replying to a Newsgroup Message	348	(1)
Posting a New Message	349	(1)
Chatting with Windows Messenger	349	(8)
Setting Up Windows Messenger	350	(2)
Adding Contacts to the Contacts List	352	(2)
Controlling Your Online Status	354	(2)
Chatting with a Contact	356	(1)
Customizing Your Online Experience	357	(26)
Customizing Internet Explorer	358	(9)
Changing the IE Window	358	(2)
Changing Internet Options	360	(7)
Enabling or Disabling the Windows Firewall	367	(2)
Enabling Content Ratings	369	(3)
Setting Mail Controls and Options	372	(11)
Organizing Incoming Mail in Folders	373	(1)
Creating Message-Handling Rules	374	(4)
Blocking Certain Senders	378	(2)
Changing the Delivery Schedule	380	(3)
Part 6 System Maintenance	383	(48)
Optimizing System Performance	385	(14)
Checking a Disk for Errors	386	(2)
Defragmenting Your Hard Disk	388	(4)
Cleaning Out Unwanted Files	392	(7)
Deleting Files with Disk Cleanup	393	(2)
Tidying Up with the Desktop Cleanup Wizard	395	(4)
Safeguarding and Troubleshooting	399	(24)
Protecting Your PC from Viruses	400	(1)
Saving Your Windows Configuration	401	(2)
Restoring a Previous Windows Configuration	403	(3)
Loading the Last Known Good Configuration	406	(1)
Starting in Safe Mode	407	(3)
Requesting Remote Assistance	410	(8)
Sending a Remote Assistance Request	411	(3)
Responding to a Remote Assistance Request	414	(2)
Chatting with Remote Assistance	416	(1)
Taking Control of a Remote PC	417	(1)
Configuring Security Settings	418	(5)
Installing New Hardware	423	(8)
Tips for Physically Installing New Hardware	424	(1)
Device Detection with Plug and Play	424	(1)
Troubleshooting a Newly Installed Device	425	(6)
Does Windows Recognize the Device?	425	(3)
If Windows Doesn't See the Device...	428	(1)
Still No Luck?	429	(2)
Index	431