Absolute Beginner's Guide to Windows XP

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Windows XP, Second EditionAbout 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.

Introduction.

    Some Key Terms

    Some Things to Keep in Mind

    The Basic Structure of This Book

    Conventions Used in This Book

I. THE BASICS.

1. Getting Started with Windows XP.

    Checking Out the Desktop

    Displaying the Start Menu

    Working with Desktop Icons

    Viewing the Taskbar

    Viewing the System Tray

    Working with Windows

    Opening and Closing Windows

    Changing the Size of Windows

    Arranging the Windows

    Starting a Program

    Starting a Recent Program

    Listing All Programs

    Starting a Program from a Shortcut Icon

    Switching Between Programs

    Working in a Program

    Selecting Commands

    Using the Toolbar

    Exiting a Program

2. Saving and Printing Your Work.

    Saving a Document

    Switching Folders

    Creating a New Folder

    Tips for Saving a Document

    Saving Backup Copies

    Saving in a Different File Format

    Closing a Document

    Opening a Document

    Creating a New Document

    Printing a Document

    Viewing and Canceling Print Jobs

    Printing Tips

3. Managing Files.

    Opening My Computer

    Opening Drives and Folders

    Navigating Folders

    Using the Folders Bar

    Using the Task Pane

    Creating a New Folder

    Displaying and Selecting Files

    Deleting and Undeleting Files and Folders

    Deleting a File or Folder

    Undeleting a File

    Emptying the Recycle Bin

    Renaming a File or Folder

    Reorganizing Folders and Files

    Copying Folders and Files

    Copying with the Copy Command

    Copying Files to a Floppy Disk

    Copying Files to a CD

4. Troubleshooting Common Problems.

    Closing Stuck Programs

    Is the Program Busy?

    Closing a Program from the Taskbar

    Closing a Program from the Task Manager

    Restarting and Shutting Down the Computer

    Restarting with a Command

    Restarting by Turning Off the Computer

    Shutting Down the Computer

    Getting Help

    Browsing Help Topics

    Searching for Help

    Using the Help Window Toolbar

    Handling Printer Problems

    Dealing with Viruses and Other Security Problems

II. COMMUNICATIONS.

5. Getting Wired for Communication.

    Understanding the Internet

    Getting the Right Equipment

    Describing Modems

    Finding an Internet Service Provider

    Selecting a Connection Type

    Selecting Browser and Email Programs

    Getting Connected

    Stepping Through the New Connection Wizard

    Starting Your Connection

    Exiting and Disconnecting

6. Setting Up Wireless Connections.

    Understanding How Wireless Networking Works

    What You Need To Set Up a Wireless Network

    Wireless Network Cards

    Wireless Access Point Router

    Setting Up a Wireless Network

    How To Ensure Wireless Network Security

7. Sending and Receiving Email.

    Setting Up Your Email Account

    Setting Up an Outlook Express Account

    Setting Up a Web Mail Account

    Checking Your Email

    Sending Messages

    Responding to Email

    Creating New Mail

    Sending New Messages

    Sending and Handling Attachments

    Attaching a File to a Message

    Opening a File Attachment

    Saving a File Attachment

    Checking a File Attachment

    Handling Messages

    Deleting and Undeleting Messages

    Printing Messages

    Organizing Messages

    Finding Messages

    Handling Junk Mail

    Blocking Senders

    Using an Antispam Program

    Exiting and Disconnecting

8. Browsing the Internet.

    Getting Started with Internet Explorer

    Understanding the Internet Explorer Window

    Using the Toolbar

    Viewing the Page Content

    Using Links to Navigate

    Typing a Web Address

    Using Shortcuts for Web Browsing

    Setting Up a Favorites List

    Using the History List

    Working with Web Pages

    Emailing Web Pages

    Printing Web Pages

    Working with Text and Images

    Downloading Files

    Ensuring Internet Security and Privacy

    Turning On Windows XP Firewall Systems

    Setting Privacy Options

    Dealing with Spyware

    Exiting and Logging Off the Internet

9. Searching the Internet.

    Searching with Internet Explorer

    Getting the Most from the Search Results

    Fine-Tuning the Search

    Using Other Search Sites

    Refining Your Search

    Searching for Images or News

    Browsing Through Directories or Channels

    Using Other Search Site Tools

10. Sending and Receiving Faxes.

    Setting Up the Fax Console

    Sending a Fax

    Sending a Fax with the Send Fax Wizard

    Faxing from a Program

    Receiving and Handling Faxes

    Opening Faxes

    Handling Faxes

III. ENTERTAINMENT.

11. Playing Music.

    Playing Audio CDs with Windows Media Player

    Playing a CD

    Working with Windows Media Player Controls

    Changing the Appearance of the Window

    Changing the Visualization

    Playing Music and Videos from the Internet

    Finding Music Online

    Viewing Videos

    Tuning the Radio

    Using Other Media Players

    Creating Your Own Music CDs

    Copying Music Files

    Creating a Playlist

    Burning a CD

    Playing and Recording Sounds with Sound Recorder

    Playing Sounds

    Recording Sounds

12. Working with Photographs and Movies.

    Using a Digital Camera

    Setting Up Your Digital Camera

    Transferring Pictures

    Working with Picture Files

    Managing Picture Files

    Editing Pictures

    Inserting a Picture into a Document

    Printing Pictures

    Printing Pictures on a Printer

    Ordering Photo Prints from the Internet

    Emailing Pictures

    Using a Scanner

    Setting Up a Scanner

    Scanning an Image

    Creating Digital Movies

IV. YOUR OWN PERSONAL WINDOWS.

13. Customizing Windows XP.

    Customizing the Taskbar

    Customizing the Desktop

    Using a Desktop Theme

    Using a Background Image

    Customizing Desktop Icons

    Using a Screen Saver

    Changing the Color Scheme

    Setting Resolution and Color Settings

    Customizing the Mouse

    Customizing Sounds

14. Setting Up Programs.

    Creating a Shortcut to a Program

    Customizing the Start Menu

    Pinning a Program to the Start Menu

    Unpinning a Program to the Start Menu

    Rearranging Programs on the Start Menu

    Changing the Appearance of the Start Menu

    Installing Programs

    Using the Automatic Install

    Using the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel Icon

    Completing the Installation

    Configuring the Program Lineup

    Uninstalling Applications

    Removing Programs

    Removing Programs Manually

    More Tips on Starting Programs

    Starting Programs When You Start Windows

    Tips for Switching Among Programs

    Using the Run Command

15. Customizing Email and Internet Explorer.

    Setting Mail Options

    Working with the Address Book

    Adding Addresses

    Setting Up Contact Groups

    Using the Address Book as a Contact List

    Customizing Internet Explorer

    Setting Your Home Page

    Organizing Your Favorites List

V. EVERYDAY PC MAINTENANCE.

16. Viewing and Finding Files.

    Viewing and Sorting Files

    Changing the View

    Sorting Files

    Grouping Files

    Choosing File Details

    Setting Up Folder Options

    Searching for Documents

17. Securing Your PC.

    Backing Up Your Work

    Selecting Backup Programs and Equipment

    Tips for Backing Up

    Checking a Disk for Errors

    Using System Restore

    Understanding Restore Points

    Setting a System Restore Point

    Restoring Your System

    Checking Your Computer for Viruses

    Checking System Security with Windows Security Center

    Using a Virus Protection Program

    Handling an Infected File

    Scheduling Maintenance Tasks

    Adding a New Task

    Modifying Scheduled Tasks

18. Improving Your Computer's Performance.

    Displaying Disk Information

    Cleaning Up Your Disk

    Saving Space by Compressing Files

    Compressing Files

    Uncompressing Files

    Increasing Performance by Defragmenting Your Disk

    Understanding The Basics of Disk Storage

    Running Disk Defragmenter

    Cleaning Up the Desktop

19. Upgrading Your Computer.

    Adding a Printer

    Automatic Setup

    Manual Setup Using Windows's Drivers

    Manual Setup Using the Printer's Drivers

    Customizing Your Printer

    Printing Preferences and Properties

    Changing Printing Preferences

    Changing Printing Properties

    Installing New Fonts

    Where Do Fonts Come From?

    Viewing Your Installed Fonts

    Installing New Fonts

    Setting Up New Hardware

    Setting Up New Hardware Automatically

    Using the Manufacturer's Install Program

    Installing New Hardware Manually

    Troubleshooting Hardware Problems

20. Upgrading Windows.

    Checking Your Windows Version

    Installing Windows Updates

    Running Automatic Updates

    Checking for Updates

    Setting Automatic Update Options

    Installing or Removing Windows Components

VI. WINDOWS XP FOR SPECIAL SITUATIONS.

21. Using Windows Accessory Programs.

    Checking Out the Accessories

    Using WordPad

    Taking a Look at the Program Window

    Typing and Editing Text

    Using Paint

    Using Calculator

    Playing Games

22. Setting Up Windows XP for Multiple Users.

    Setting Up a New Account

    Logging In and Out

    Logging Off

    Switching Users

    Logging On

    Modifying an Account

    Changing the Account Name

    Adding a Password

    Assigning a Picture

    Changing the Account Type

    Deleting an Account

23. Using Accessibility Options.

    Using the Accessibility Accessory Programs

    Using Magnifier

    Using Narrator

    Using On-Screen Keyboard

    Using Accessibility Control Panel Options

    Using the Accessibility Wizard

    Modifying Accessibility Options

24. Setting Up Windows XP on a Home Network.

    Home Networking Basics

    Planning Your Network

    Installing and Configuring Network Hardware

    Running the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard

    Sharing Resources on a Network

    Enabling File Sharing

    Browsing Shared Files

    Sharing Printers

    Sharing Internet Connections

    Controlling Network Security

Index.