Absolute Beginner's Guide to Windows XP,9780789734327

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Windows XP

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Edition: 2nd
ISBN13: 9780789734327
ISBN10: 078973432X
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2005-06-13
Publisher(s): Que Publishing
List Price: $26.74

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Summary

Upgrade to a digital lifestyle! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Windows XP, Second Edition is not just about using Windows, but also about how to live in a digital world where you can share pictures over the Internet, download music from websites, communicate with long-distance family and friends on the computer, and more. Step-by-step instructions will show you how to accomplish key tasks and take precautions to protect your computer from viruses and spyware. Some of the tasks covered include:

  • Starting programs
  • Understanding file management basics
  • Getting wired for communication
  • Working with photographs
  • Playing music and videos
  • Improving your computer's performance
  • Upgrading Windows

Updated to include information on Service Pack 2, Absolute Beginner's guide to Windows XP, Second Edition will show you how to work with Windows XP to make your life easier!

Author Biography

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Windows XP, Second Edition About the Author

Shelley O'Hara is the author of more than 100 books, mostly dealing with computers. She has written some of the all-time best-selling computer books, including Easy Windows XP Home Edition and Easy Windows 98. She also conducts computer training and teaches writing classes. In addition to tech writing, O'Hara has also published a romantic comedy called The Marriage Trifecta.


© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1(1)
Some Key Terms 1(1)
Some Things to Keep in Mind 2(1)
The Basic Structure of This Book 2(2)
Conventions Used in This Book 4(1)
I The Basics
5(68)
Getting Started with Windows XP
7(20)
Checking Out the Desktop
8(5)
Displaying the Start Menu
9(2)
Working with Desktop Icons
11(1)
Viewing the Taskbar
12(1)
Viewing the System Tray
13(1)
Working with Windows
13(5)
Opening and Closing Windows
14(1)
Changing the Size of Windows
15(1)
Arranging the Windows
16(2)
Starting a Program
18(4)
Starting a Recent Program
19(1)
Listing All Programs
20(1)
Starting a Program from a Shortcut Icon
21(1)
Switching Between Programs
22(1)
Working in a Program
22(3)
Selecting Commands
22(2)
Using the Toolbar
24(1)
Exiting a Program
25(2)
Saving and Printing Your Work
27(16)
Saving a Document
28(6)
Switching Folders
29(2)
Creating a New Folder
31(1)
Tips for Saving a Document
32(1)
Saving Backup Copies
33(1)
Saving in a Different File Format
33(1)
Closing a Document
34(1)
Opening a Document
35(2)
Creating a New Document
37(1)
Printing a Document
38(5)
Viewing and Canceling Print Jobs
39(1)
Printing Tips
40(3)
Managing Files
43(16)
Opening My Computer
44(3)
Opening Drives and Folders
44(1)
Navigating Folders
45(1)
Using the Folders Bar
46(1)
Using the Task Pane
47(1)
Creating a New Folder
47(1)
Displaying and Selecting Files
48(1)
Deleting and Undeleting Files and Folders
49(3)
Deleting a File or Folder
50(1)
Undeleting a File
50(1)
Emptying the Recycle Bin
51(1)
Renaming a File or Folder
52(1)
Reorganizing Folders and Files
53(1)
Copying Folders and Files
54(5)
Copying with the Copy Command
54(1)
Copying Files to a Floppy Disk
55(1)
Copying Files to a CD
56(3)
Troubleshooting Common Problems
59(14)
Closing Stuck Programs
60(2)
Is the Program Busy?
60(1)
Closing a Program from the Taskbar
60(1)
Closing a Program from the Task Manager
61(1)
Restarting and Shutting Down the Computer
62(1)
Restarting with a Command
62(1)
Restarting by Turning Off the Computer
63(1)
Shutting Down the Computer
63(1)
Getting Help
63(4)
Browsing Help Topics
64(2)
Searching for Help
66(1)
Using the Help Window Toolbar
67(1)
Handling Printer Problems
67(1)
Dealing with Viruses and Other Security Problems
68(5)
II Communications
73(80)
Getting Wired for Communication
75(10)
Understanding the Internet
76(1)
Getting the Right Equipment
77(5)
Describing Modems
78(1)
Finding an Internet Service Provider
78(1)
Selecting a Connection Type
79(1)
Selecting Browser and Email Programs
80(2)
Getting Connected
82(1)
Stepping Through the New Connection Wizard
82(1)
Starting Your Connection
83(1)
Exiting and Disconnecting
83(2)
Setting Up Wireless Connections
85(6)
Understanding How Wireless Networking Works
86(1)
What You Need To Set Up a Wireless Network
86(1)
Wireless Network Cards
86(1)
Wireless Access Point Router
87(1)
Setting Up a Wireless Network
87(1)
How To Ensure Wireless Network Security
88(3)
Sending and Receiving Email
91(20)
Setting Up Your Email Account
92(1)
Setting Up an Outlook Express Account
92(1)
Setting Up a Web Mail Account
92(1)
Checking Your Email
92(2)
Sending Messages
94(4)
Responding to Email
94(2)
Creating New Mail
96(1)
Sending New Messages
97(1)
Sending and Handling Attachments
98(4)
Attaching a File to a Message
98(1)
Opening a File Attachment
99(1)
Saving a File Attachment
100(1)
Checking a File Attachment
101(1)
Handling Messages
102(5)
Deleting and Undeleting Messages
102(1)
Printing Messages
103(1)
Organizing Messages
104(1)
Finding Messages
105(2)
Handling Junk Mail
107(2)
Blocking Senders
107(1)
Using an Antispam Program
108(1)
Exiting and Disconnecting
109(2)
Browsing the Internet
111(22)
Getting Started with Internet Explorer
112(6)
Understanding the Internet Explorer Window
113(1)
Using the Toolbar
114(2)
Viewing the Page Content
116(2)
Using Links to Navigate
118(1)
Typing a Web Address
119(2)
Using Shortcuts for Web Browsing
121(3)
Setting Up a Favorites List
121(1)
Using the History List
122(2)
Working with Web Pages
124(2)
Emailing Web Pages
124(1)
Printing Web Pages
125(1)
Working with Text and Images
125(1)
Downloading Files
126(1)
Ensuring Internet Security and Privacy
126(5)
Turning On Windows XP Firewall Systems
126(2)
Setting Privacy Options
128(3)
Dealing with Spyware
131(1)
Exiting and Logging Off the Internet
131(2)
Searching the Internet
133(10)
Searching with Internet Explorer
134(4)
Getting the Most from the Search Results
135(2)
Fine-Tuning the Search
137(1)
Using Other Search Sites
138(5)
Refining Your Search
139(1)
Searching for Images or News
139(1)
Browsing Through Directories or Channels
140(1)
Using Other Search Site Tools
140(3)
Sending and Receiving Faxes
143(10)
Setting Up the Fax Console
144(2)
Sending a Fax
146(2)
Sending a Fax with the Send Fax Wizard
146(2)
Faxing from a Program
148(1)
Receiving and Handling Faxes
148(5)
Opening Faxes
149(1)
Handling Faxes
150(3)
III Entertainment
153(34)
Playing Music
155(16)
Playing Audio CDs with Windows Media Player
156(5)
Playing a CD
157(1)
Working with Windows Media Player Controls
158(1)
Changing the Appearance of the Window
159(1)
Changing the Visualization
160(1)
Playing Music and Videos from the Internet
161(3)
Finding Music Online
161(1)
Viewing Videos
162(1)
Tuning the Radio
163(1)
Using Other Media Players
163(1)
Creating Your Own Music CDs
164(3)
Copying Music Files
164(2)
Creating a Playlist
166(1)
Burning a CD
166(1)
Playing and Recording Sounds with Sound Recorder
167(4)
Playing Sounds
168(1)
Recording Sounds
168(3)
Working with Photographs and Movies
171(16)
Using a Digital Camera
172(1)
Setting Up Your Digital Camera
173(2)
Transferring Pictures
175(1)
Working with Picture Files
176(2)
Managing Picture Files
176(1)
Editing Pictures
177(1)
Inserting a Picture into a Document
178(1)
Printing Pictures
178(3)
Printing Pictures on a Printer
179(1)
Ordering Photo Prints from the Internet
179(2)
Emailing Pictures
181(1)
Using a Scanner
182(1)
Setting Up a Scanner
182(1)
Scanning an Image
182(1)
Creating Digital Movies
183(4)
IV Your Own Personal Windows
187(44)
Customizing Windows XP
189(14)
Customizing the Taskbar
190(1)
Customizing the Desktop
191(7)
Using a Desktop Theme
192(1)
Using a Background Image
192(2)
Customizing Desktop Icons
194(1)
Using a Screen Saver
195(1)
Changing the Color Scheme
196(1)
Setting Resolution and Color Settings
197(1)
Customizing the Mouse
198(3)
Customizing Sounds
201(2)
Setting Up Programs
203(18)
Creating a Shortcut to a Program
204(2)
Customizing the Start Menu
206(4)
Pinning a Program to the Start Menu
206(2)
Unpinning a Program to the Start Menu
208(1)
Rearranging Programs on the Start Menu
208(1)
Changing the Appearance of the Start Menu
208(2)
Installing Programs
210(4)
Using the Automatic Install
211(1)
Using the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel Icon
211(2)
Completing the Installation
213(1)
Configuring the Program Lineup
213(1)
Uninstalling Applications
214(2)
Removing Programs
214(1)
Removing Programs Manually
215(1)
More Tips on Starting Programs
216(5)
Starting Programs When You Start Windows
216(2)
Tips for Switching Among Programs
218(1)
Using the Run Command
219(2)
Customizing Email and Internet Explorer
221(10)
Setting Mail Options
222(2)
Working with the Address Book
224(4)
Adding Addresses
225(1)
Setting Up Contact Groups
226(1)
Using the Address Book as a Contact List
227(1)
Customizing Internet Explorer
228(3)
Setting Your Home Page
228(1)
Organizing Your Favorites List
229(2)
V Everyday PC Maintenance
231(76)
Viewing and Finding Files
233(14)
Viewing and Sorting Files
234(6)
Changing the View
234(3)
Sorting Files
237(1)
Grouping Files
238(1)
Choosing File Details
239(1)
Setting Up Folder Options
240(2)
Searching for Documents
242(5)
Securing Your PC
247(18)
Backing Up Your Work
248(2)
Selecting Backup Programs and Equipment
248(1)
Tips for Backing Up
249(1)
Checking a Disk for Errors
250(2)
Using System Restore
252(4)
Understanding Restore Points
252(1)
Setting a System Restore Point
252(2)
Restoring Your System
254(2)
Checking Your Computer for Viruses
256(3)
Checking System Security with Windows Security Center
257(1)
Using a Virus Protection Program
258(1)
Handling an Infected File
259(1)
Scheduling Maintenance Tasks
259(6)
Adding a New Task
259(3)
Modifying Scheduled Tasks
262(3)
Improving Your Computer's Performance
265(14)
Displaying Disk Information
266(1)
Cleaning Up Your Disk
266(2)
Saving Space by Compressing Files
268(3)
Compressing Files
269(1)
Uncompressing Files
270(1)
Increasing Performance by Defragmenting Your Disk
271(4)
Understanding The Basics of Disk Storage
272(1)
Running Disk Defragmenter
273(2)
Cleaning Up the Desktop
275(4)
Upgrading Your Computer
279(20)
Adding a Printer
280(5)
Automatic Setup
280(1)
Manual Setup Using Windows's Drivers
280(4)
Manual Setup Using the Printer's Drivers
284(1)
Customizing Your Printer
285(1)
Printing Preferences and Properties
285(3)
Changing Printing Preferences
285(2)
Changing Printing Properties
287(1)
Installing New Fonts
288(3)
Where Do Fonts Come From?
288(1)
Viewing Your Installed Fonts
289(1)
Installing New Fonts
290(1)
Setting Up New Hardware
291(3)
Setting Up New Hardware Automatically
291(1)
Using the Manufacturer's Install Program
292(1)
Installing New Hardware Manually
292(2)
Troubleshooting Hardware Problems
294(5)
Upgrading Windows
299(8)
Checking Your Windows Version
300(1)
Installing Windows Updates
301(3)
Running Automatic Updates
301(1)
Checking for Updates
301(2)
Setting Automatic Update Options
303(1)
Installing or Removing Windows Components
304(3)
VI Windows XP for Special Situations
307(44)
Using Windows Accessory Programs
309(12)
Checking Out the Accessories
310(1)
Using WordPad
311(5)
Taking a Look at the Program Window
312(1)
Typing and Editing Text
313(3)
Using Paint
316(1)
Using Calculator
317(1)
Playing Games
318(3)
Setting Up Windows XP for Multiple Users
321(10)
Setting Up a New Account
322(2)
Logging In and Out
324(1)
Logging Off
324(1)
Switching Users
324(1)
Logging On
325(1)
Modifying an Account
325(6)
Changing the Account Name
326(1)
Adding a Password
326(1)
Assigning a Picture
327(1)
Changing the Account Type
328(1)
Deleting an Account
329(2)
Using Accessibility Options
331(10)
Using the Accessibility Accessory Programs
332(3)
Using Magnifier
332(2)
Using Narrator
334(1)
Using On-Screen Keyboard
334(1)
Using Accessibility Control Panel Options
335(6)
Using the Accessibility Wizard
335(2)
Modifying Accessibility Options
337(4)
Setting Up Windows XP on a Home Network
341(10)
Home Networking Basics
342(2)
Planning Your Network
342(1)
Installing and Configuring Network Hardware
342(1)
Running the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard
343(1)
Sharing Resources on a Network
344(7)
Enabling File Sharing
345(1)
Browsing Shared Files
346(1)
Sharing Printers
346(1)
Sharing Internet Connections
347(1)
Controlling Network Security
347(4)
Index 351

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