The Unofficial Guide to Windows XP

by Toot, Michael S.; Torres, Derek

• ISBN13: 9780471763208
• ISBN10: 0471763209
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-31
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

* Inside Scoops for practical insights from the author. It's like having your own expert at your side!

Author Biography

<b>Michael Toot</b> is a certified MCSE and MCP+I programmer and is the author of several Teach Yourself VISUALLY books. He is the author of <i>Teach Yourself VISUALLY Windows 2000 Server</i>, <i>Teach Yourself VISUALLY Macromedia Web Collection</i>, and the co-author of <i>Master VISUALLY Web Design</i>. He lives in Seattle with his family. <p> <b>Derek Torres</b> is the founder and principal of dct solutions, a technical communications consultancy based in Chicago, Washington DC and Paris that serves clients around the world. He has over 8 years experience as a technical communicator in the software industry, both in the United States and in Europe. He is a contributor to a leading technical communication magazine and a columnist for a technical writing web site; Derek has also written countless user reference, installation guides, white papers and marketing collateral for the information technology sector. Derek has used Microsoft&#8217;s operating systems since the days of DOS 3.0 and writes almost exclusively for the Windows XP platform.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xv
I. Installation, Configuration, and Customization	1	(108)
Preparing for Installation	3	(22)
Windows XP installation options	3	(3)
New installation	4	(1)
Upgrade installation	4	(1)
Dual boot installation	5	(1)
Service Pack only installation	5	(1)
Network installation	5	(1)
Other installation methods	6	(1)
Buy a new computer, get XP free!	6	(1)
Upgrade your existing computer for XP	7	(1)
Use your existing hardware for XP	8	(1)
Collect information about your existing computer	8	(5)
SysInfo collects --- you guessed it! --- system information	9	(1)
Number, please: Obtain hardware model numbers	10	(1)
My hardware has firmware!	10	(1)
Determine device driver versions	11	(1)
What's your file system type?	11	(1)
Internet settings	11	(2)
Use the Upgrade Compatibility Wizard	13	(4)
Transfer files and settings from another installation	17	(2)
Restore your files and settings	19	(2)
All about registration and activation	21	(1)
Most important: Make a backup of your system!	22	(1)
Just the facts	23	(2)
Installing Windows XP	25	(34)
Hard drives, partitions, and XP	25	(2)
Choosing a file system: FAT32 or NTFS	27	(1)
Old terms, new meanings: Workgroups and domains	28	(1)
Networks: Making the connection	29	(1)
Installation checklist	30	(1)
Install Windows XP: New installation	31	(7)
Install Windows XP: Upgrade installation	38	(3)
Install Windows XP: Service-pack-only installation	41	(4)
Install Windows XP: Network installation	45	(2)
Install Windows XP: Dual booting with Windows	47	(3)
Install Windows XP: Dual booting with Linux	50	(2)
Automate the installation process	52	(3)
Uninstall Windows XP	55	(2)
Just the facts	57	(2)
Managing the Windows Desktop	59	(50)
Resolution, icons, wallpaper, screen savers, and themes	60	(13)
Desktop resolution	60	(4)
Icons	64	(2)
Wallpaper and screen savers	66	(3)
Themes	69	(4)
The hidden powers of the Start button	73	(12)
New look or old look?	74	(4)
Mucking about with menus	78	(3)
It's our policy to say no	81	(2)
The antitrust icon	83	(2)
All about the taskbar and the notification area	85	(6)
Taming the taskbar	85	(2)
Customize your toolbars	87	(2)
All systems are go: The notification area	89	(2)
Edit desktop settings with Tweak UI	91	(3)
A grab bag of PowerToys	94	(1)
Add, remove, and change Windows components	95	(3)
Manage applications with Task Manager	98	(1)
Improve startup with MSCONFIG	99	(2)
Windows, applications, and performance	101	(3)
Running old DOS or Windows applications	104	(4)
Just the facts	108	(1)
II. Manage the XP Environment	109	(210)
Managing Users	111	(34)
Users and Windows XP	111	(1)
Add users	112	(3)
Modify accounts	115	(7)
Change the account name	116	(1)
Create a password	117	(1)
Change the picture	118	(1)
Change the account type	119	(1)
Delete the account	120	(1)
Editing the computer administrator account	120	(2)
Change group membership	122	(1)
Use the Forgotten Password Wizard	123	(2)
Configure fast user switching	125	(1)
Switching users via the Run as command	126	(2)
Use Run as from the interface	126	(1)
Use Run as from the command line	127	(1)
Create custom Management Consoles	128	(6)
Create a new console	130	(3)
Use your console	133	(1)
Create Taskpad views	134	(4)
Create Group Policies	138	(3)
Determine Group Policy settings	141	(2)
Just the facts	143	(2)
Managing Files and Folders	145	(50)
Add files and folders to the Start menu	145	(2)
Get more information from folders	147	(11)
Change folder views	148	(8)
Launch custom Windows Explorer views	156	(2)
Customize folder details	158	(3)
Customize folder templates	161	(2)
Edit context-sensitive menus	163	(3)
Remove global menu items	164	(1)
Remove specific menu items	165	(1)
Create compressed files and folders	166	(5)
Turn on folder compression	168	(1)
Create compressed archives	169	(2)
Encrypt files and folders	171	(3)
Redirect the My Documents folder	174	(2)
Enable file sharing	176	(5)
Manually configure file sharing	177	(2)
Enable file sharing using the Network Setup Wizard	179	(2)
Share folders using simple file sharing	181	(4)
Configure NTFS file sharing	185	(3)
Managing the Recycle Bin	188	(2)
Working with the Search Companion	190	(2)
A few words about the Indexing Service	192	(2)
Just the facts	194	(1)
Managing Security	195	(86)
Configure the Security Center	195	(6)
Easy Hacking 101: The short history of Windows security	195	(2)
View Security Center monitoring	197	(4)
Configure and manage firewalls	201	(11)
Configure Windows Firewall	202	(7)
Test your firewall	209	(1)
Log firewall activity	210	(1)
Improve your firewall's protection	211	(1)
Update your Windows installation	212	(7)
Configure Automatic Updates	212	(2)
Manually update Windows	214	(3)
View of remove updates	217	(1)
Add Microsoft Updates to your computer	218	(1)
Add antivirus protection	219	(3)
Add anti-spyware	222	(5)
Install Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware	222	(4)
Install other anti-spyware software	226	(1)
Add a logon warning	227	(3)
Configuring a logon message for a domain	228	(1)
Configure a logon message for an organizational unit	228	(1)
Configure a logon message for Windows XP	229	(1)
Analyze your computer's security	230	(4)
Analyze and apply security templates	234	(5)
Install and run the Security and Configuration Analysis snap-in	235	(3)
Apply security templates	238	(1)
Change Data Execution Prevention settings	239	(3)
Determine effective Group Policies	242	(3)
Determine file permissions	245	(3)
Audit computer and security events	248	(6)
Audit access policies	249	(2)
Audit file access	251	(1)
Review the Security log	252	(2)
Secure Internet Explorer	254	(15)
Control file downloads	256	(1)
Limit installation of Web page controls	257	(1)
Stop pop-ups	258	(2)
Disable Web site scripting	260	(1)
Put the crunch on cookies	261	(4)
Review saved password settings	265	(2)
Set content filtering	267	(2)
Secure Outlook Express	269	(5)
Configure spam filtering	270	(1)
Working with blocked attachments	271	(1)
Spam prevention tactics	272	(1)
Block Web images	273	(1)
Disable e-mail scripting	273	(1)
Trip to nowhere: .NET Passport	274	(2)
Designate a digital certificate Recovery Agent	276	(3)
Export a recovery certificate	277	(1)
Import a recovery certificate	278	(1)
For more information	279	(1)
Just the facts	280	(1)
Mastering Multimedia with Windows XP	281	(38)
Enjoy music with Windows Media Player	281	(5)
Recent versions of Windows Media Player	282	(1)
Get started with the Windows Media Player	283	(3)
Navigate the Windows Media Player	286	(5)
Use visualizations	288	(1)
Use skins	289	(2)
Use the Windows Media Player Library	291	(3)
Create your own playlist	292	(2)
Enjoy the digital experience	294	(7)
Windows Digital Rights Management	298	(1)
Use PowerToys	298	(1)
Use the Windows Media Bonus Pack	299	(1)
Use TV tuner cards	300	(1)
Enjoy WMV HD	300	(1)
Go further with Windows Media Player	301	(8)
Rip CDs	301	(3)
Burn CDs	304	(5)
Multimedia without Windows Media Player	309	(3)
Scanners	309	(1)
Digital cameras	309	(2)
Video cameras	311	(1)
Use Windows Movie Maker 2	312	(5)
Before you make a movie	313	(1)
Make a movie	313	(4)
Just the facts	317	(2)
III. Networking with Windows XP	319	(138)
Networking and the Internet	321	(76)
Understanding networking basics	321	(5)
Physical connections	322	(1)
Networking protocol	323	(1)
Available services	324	(1)
Putting it all together	325	(1)
Configure broadband connections	326	(8)
Configure cable or DSL connections	327	(3)
Configure PPPoE connections	330	(4)
Configure wireless connections	334	(9)
Types of wireless protocols	335	(1)
Wireless security concerns	336	(1)
Set up wireless security	337	(4)
Connecting to a wireless network	341	(1)
Troubleshooting your Wi-Fi connection	342	(1)
Configure dial-up connections	343	(2)
Configure Internet Connection Sharing	345	(5)
Configure ICS the easy way	345	(2)
Configure ICS the hard way	347	(3)
Change Internet Explorer's behavior	350	(28)
Manage and edit Favorites and Links	350	(2)
Set up offline caching	352	(5)
Hide, edit, or install toolbars	357	(1)
Change search engines	358	(4)
Work with MSN and Google toolbars	362	(1)
MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search	362	(2)
Google Toolbar and Google Desktop Search	364	(4)
Get a handle on ActiveX and Java	368	(3)
Make things happen faster	371	(1)
Surf anonymously with proxy servers	372	(3)
Sanitize Internet Explorer	375	(3)
Become an Outlook Express expert	378	(13)
Set up e-mail accounts	378	(1)
Use advanced features	379	(1)
Create distribution lists	379	(1)
E-mail paranoia: Return receipts and bcc:'s	380	(3)
View e-mail headers	383	(1)
Manage e-mail with message rules	384	(1)
Set up and subscribe to newsgroups	385	(5)
Back up your messages and address book	390	(1)
Get your chat on with Windows Messenger	391	(5)
Set up the chat service	391	(3)
Chat with friends	394	(1)
The hidden gems of Windows Messenger	395	(1)
Just the facts	396	(1)
Working with Network Services	397	(42)
Share and manage printers	397	(16)
Install a printer	398	(5)
Improving upon shared printers	403	(3)
Manage print jobs	406	(2)
Advanced printer management techniques	408	(5)
Send and receive faxes	413	(11)
Configure the fax service	414	(2)
Send a fax	416	(4)
Receive and review faxes	420	(1)
Create new fax cover pages	421	(3)
Install and configure a Web server	424	(6)
Using Remote Desktop	430	(2)
Using Remote Assistance	432	(5)
Just the facts	437	(2)
Integrating with Active Directory	439	(18)
Set up a Windows domain	439	(1)
About Active Directory objects	440	(1)
Configure Windows XP for use with a domain	441	(6)
Use the Network ID feature	444	(3)
Rename your computer or join a domain	447	(1)
Create and deploy logon scripts	447	(3)
Write logon scripts	447	(1)
Set logon scripts for a user	448	(2)
Install programs using IntelliMirror	450	(4)
Use assigned applications	451	(1)
Assign an assigned application	452	(1)
Use published applications	452	(1)
Assign a published application	452	(1)
Set software installation defaults	453	(1)
Upgrade an application	453	(1)
Remove a managed application	454	(1)
Search for users or printers	454	(1)
Understanding the global catalog	455	(1)
Just the facts	455	(2)
IV. Manage the Hardware Environment	457	(102)
Working with Windows Internals	459	(24)
Display system information	459	(4)
Work with Device Manager	463	(2)
Work with Task Manager	465	(3)
Work with Event Viewer	468	(4)
Perform system surgery with RegEdit	472	(6)
Start and stop services	478	(2)
Work with Scheduled Tasks	480	(2)
Just the facts	482	(1)
Working with Hard Drives	483	(36)
Improve system performance	483	(8)
Character Map	484	(1)
Disk Cleanup	485	(1)
Disk Defragmenter	486	(1)
Backup	486	(5)
Create automated system recovery disks	491	(11)
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard	492	(4)
Scheduled Tasks	496	(1)
Security Center	497	(1)
System Information	498	(1)
System Restore	499	(2)
Activate Windows	501	(1)
The bottom line	502	(1)
Create new partitions	502	(4)
Use the command line	503	(2)
Use the Windows interface	505	(1)
The bottom line	505	(1)
Create dynamic disks	506	(4)
Before you consider a dynamic disk	506	(1)
Convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk	506	(2)
Work with dynamic disks	508	(1)
Create a simple or spanned volume	508	(1)
Extend a simple or spanned volume	509	(1)
Use RAID disks with Windows XP	510	(1)
Understanding disk quotas	510	(4)
Set up disk quotas	511	(2)
Assign default quotas via the command line	513	(1)
Assign default quotas via the Windows interface	514	(1)
Configure a UPS	514	(2)
Work with dual monitors	516	(2)
Just the facts	518	(1)
Managing Portable Computers	519	(22)
Working with hardware profiles	519	(4)
Explore power management options	523	(5)
Set up a VPN connection	528	(6)
Configure a VPN server	529	(3)
Configure the VPN client	532	(2)
Configure Offline File Sharing	534	(4)
Use ClearType on LCD screens	538	(1)
Just the facts	539	(2)
Troubleshooting Windows XP	541	(18)
Using the Help and Support Center	541	(5)
General Windows troubleshooting techniques	546	(4)
Launch and use Safe Mode	550	(3)
Troubleshoot network problems	553	(4)
Just the facts	557	(2)
Index	559