Windows XP in 10 Simple Steps or Less

Windows XP in 10 Steps or Less......Page 2
Copyright......Page 6
Credits......Page 8
About the Authors......Page 9
Acknowledgments......Page 11
Contents......Page 13
Introduction......Page 21
Part 1: Understanding Windows XP Basics......Page 27
Task 1:Starting Up and Logging In......Page 28
Task 2:Logging Off and Shutting Down......Page 30
Task 3:Activating Windows......Page 32
Task 4:Enabling Fast Switching between Users......Page 34
Task 5:Setting Your Computer’s Clock and
Time Zone......Page 36
Task 6:Setting the Clock Automatically......Page 38
Task 7:Adjusting Your Computer.ˉs Volume......Page 40
Task 8:Automatically Turning the Monitor Off......Page 42
Task 9:Locking and Unlocking the Computer......Page 44
Task 10:Locking Your Computer with a Screen Saver......Page 46
Task
 11:Getting Help......Page 48
Task
 12:Customizing Help Screens......Page 50
Task
 13:Setting Search Options for Help......Page 52
Task
 14:Creating a Help and Support Favorites List......Page 54
Task
 15:Using the Knowledge Base......Page 56
Task
 16:Getting Basic Information about Your System......Page 58
Task
 17:Automatically Keeping Windows Up- to- Date......Page 60
Task
 18:Manually Updating Windows XP......Page 62
Task
 19:Installing New Software......Page 64
Task
 20:Removing Application Software......Page 66
Part 2: Working with Folders and Files......Page 69
Task
 21:Accessing My Computer......Page 70
Task
 22:Navigating What.ˉs on the Hard Drive......Page 72
Task
 23:Creating, Renaming, and Deleting Files and Folders......Page 74
Task
 24:Creating Copies of Files and Folders......Page 76
Task
 25:Moving a File or Folder......Page 78
Task
 26:Using Different Folder Views......Page 80
Task
 27:Customizing the Details Folder View......Page 82
Task
 28:Settings Options on All Folders......Page 84
Task
 29:Customizing Windows Explorer......Page 86
Task
 30:Recovering Deleted Files......Page 88
Task
 31:Setting Recycle Bin Options......Page 90
Task
 32:Searching for Files or Folders......Page 92
Task
 33:Setting File Properties......Page 94
Task
 34:Creating a Shortcut......Page 96
Task
 35:Copying Files to a CD- ROM......Page 98
Task
 36:Saving Space by Compressing a Drive......Page 100
Task
 37:Creating a Zip File......Page 102
Task
 38:Accessing and Adding to a Zip File......Page 104
Task
 39:Extracting All Items from a Zip File......Page 106
Part 3: Personalizing Windows XP......Page 109
Task
 40:Choosing a Theme......Page 110
Task
 41:Setting the Screen Colors and Resolution......Page 112
Task
 42:Choosing a Desktop Background Image......Page 114
Task
 43:Setting or Changing a Screen Saver......Page 116
Task 
44:Choosing or Changing an Appearance
......Page 118
Task 
45:Assigning Sounds to Events......Page 120
Task 
46:Creating a New Theme......Page 122
Task 
47:Customizing Your Taskbar......Page 124
Task 
48:Customizing the Quick Launch Toolbar......Page 126
Task 
49:Customizing the Start Menu......Page 128
Task 
50:Adding Shortcuts to Your Desktop......Page 130
Task 
51:Arranging Your Desktop Items......Page 132
Task 
52:Picking a Program.ˉs Icon to Display......Page 134
Task 
53:Placing Standard Items and Icons on the Desktop......Page 136
Task 
54:Putting Web Pages on Your Desktop......Page 138
Task 
55:Customizing Mouse Options......Page 140
Task 
56:Customizing the Mouse Pointers......Page 142
Task 
57:Setting Keyboard Options......Page 144
Task 
58:Automatically Starting a Program at Startup......Page 146
Task 
59:Changing Regional Settings......Page 148
Task 
60:Changing Number and Currency Formatting......Page 150
Part 4: Graphics and Digital Photography......Page 153
Task 
61:Copying Pictures from Your Camera to Your Hard Drive......Page 154
Task 
62:Using a Scanner to Capture Photographs......Page 156
Task 
63:Capturing a Picture of Your Screen......Page 158
Task 
64:Creating Your Own Icons in Paint......Page 160
Task 
65:Drawing Pictures in Paint......Page 162
Task 
66:Organizing Your Pictures into Folders and Photo Albums......Page 164
Task 
67:Storing and Retrieving Information about Your Pictures......Page 166
Task 
68:Viewing, Zooming, and Reorienting Your Pictures......Page 168
Task 
69:Resizing a Picture......Page 170
Task 
70:Cropping a Picture......Page 172
Task 
71:Adding Notes and Drawings to a Picture......Page 174
Task 
72:Converting a Picture.ˉs File Type......Page 176
Task 
73:Printing a Picture......Page 178
Task 
74:Ordering Prints of Your Pictures Online......Page 180
Task 
75:Putting Your Pictures on the Web......Page 182
Task 
76:Creating a Screen Saver with Your Own Pictures......Page 184
Part 5: Working with Digital Music......Page 187
Task 77:Upgrading Windows Media Player......Page 188
Task 78:Playing Music CDs......Page 190
Task 79:Copying Music from a CD to Your Hard Drive......Page 192
Task 80:Identifying Your Album Name,Artist, and Tracks......Page 194
Task 81:Finding and Playing Music in Your Media Library......Page 196
Task 82:Searching for Music to Add to Your Media Library......Page 198
Task 83:Adding and Viewing Song Lyrics......Page 200
Task 84:Creating and Listening to a Playlist......Page 202
Task 85:Downloading Music from the Internet......Page 204
Task 86:Tuning in to Internet Radio......Page 206
Task 87:Copying Music to a Portable Music Player......Page 208
Task 88:Creating Your Own Audio CD......Page 210
Task 89:Duplicating an Audio CD......Page 212
Task 90:Making Windows Media Player Beautiful with Skins......Page 214
Part 6: Working with Digital Movies......Page 217
Task 91:Upgrading Windows Movie Maker......Page 218
Task 92:Playing a Movie on DVD......Page 220
Task 93:Playing a Video File......Page 222
Task 94:Creating and Deleting Collections in Windows Movie Maker......Page 224
Task 95:Importing Clips and Other Items into Your Collections in Windows Movie Maker......Page 226
Task 96:Making Movies......Page 228
Task 97:Capturing Video from Your Camcorder......Page 230
Task 98:Capturing a Photograph from a Video......Page 232
Task 99:Capturing Live Video......Page 234
Task 100:Splitting and Combining Video Clips......Page 236
Task 101:Trimming a Video Clip......Page 238
Task 102:Adding Transitions between Your Video Clips......Page 240
Task 103:Adding Video Effects to Your Clips......Page 242
Task 104:Adding Titles and Credits to Your Movie......Page 244
Task 105:Adding Photographs to a Movie......Page 246
Task 106:Adding Background Music and Sound Effects to a Movie......Page 248
Task 107:Adding Narration to a Movie......Page 250
Task 108:Saving a Movie to View on Your Computer......Page 252
Task 109:Sending a Movie via Email......Page 254
Part 7: Working with Notepad......Page 257
Task 110:Creating a New Document Using Notepad......Page 258
Task 111:Saving a Document from Notepad......Page 260
Task 112:Changing Page Setup in Notepad......Page 262
Task 113:Creating Headers and Footers on a Notepad Document......Page 264
Task 114:Changing the Font in Notepad......Page 266
Task 115:Printing a Document in Notepad......Page 268
Task 116:Finding and Replacing Text in Notepad......Page 270
Task 117:Creating a Log File with Notepad......Page 272
Task 118:Creating a Web Page in Notepad......Page 274
Part 8: Working with WordPad......Page 277
Task 119:Creating a New Document in WordPad......Page 278
Task 120:Saving a Document in WordPad......Page 280
Task 121:Changing the Page Setup in WordPad......Page 282
Task 122:Using WordPad.ˉs Print Preview......Page 284
Task 123:Printing from WordPad......Page 286
Task 124:Changing Font Characteristics in WordPad......Page 288
Task 125:Formatting Paragraph Margins in WordPad......Page 290
Task 126:Adding Lists to a WordPad Document......Page 292
Task 127:Searching and Replacing Text in WordPad......Page 294
Task 128:Inserting a Picture into a WordPad Document......Page 296
Task 129:Adding an Object to a WordPad Document......Page 298
Task 130:Changing Object Properties in a Document......Page 300
Task 131:Sending a WordPad Document to Someone Else......Page 302
Task 132:Setting Options in WordPad......Page 304
Part 9: Getting Connected to the Internet......Page 307
Task 133:Creating an MSN Account to Access the Internet Using a Modem......Page 308
Task 134:Connecting to the Internet with a Modem Using Another ISP......Page 310
Task 135:Connecting to the Internet with a Broadband Cable or DSL Line......Page 312
Task 136:Connecting to the Internet with a LAN and a Router......Page 314
Task 137:Connecting to a Virtual Private Network......Page 316
Part 10: Surfing the Web with Microsoft Internet Explorer......Page 319
Task 138:Using Internet Explorer for the First Time......Page 320
Task 139: Going to a Site’s Address with Microsoft Internet Explorer......Page 322
Task 140:Searching the Web......Page 324
Task 141:Saving a Web Page......Page 326
Task 142:Emailing Web Pages......Page 328
Task 143:Printing Web Pages......Page 330
Task 144:Downloading Files from the Web......Page 332
Task 145:Copying and Saving Images from the Web......Page 334
Task 146:Keeping a Favorites List of Sites......Page 336
Task 147:Organizing Your Favorites List of Sites......Page 338
Task 148:Customizing the Links Bar......Page 340
Task 149:Checking Your History in Internet Explorer......Page 342
Task 150:Clearing and Customizing History Features......Page 344
Task 151:Deleting Temporary Internet Files......Page 346
Task 152:Setting Your Home Page......Page 348
Task 153:Customizing Internet Explorer.ˉs Support Programs......Page 350
Task 154:Customizing Internet Explorer.ˉs Tools and More......Page 352
Task 155:Choosing Privacy Settings......Page 354
Task 156:Choosing Security Settings......Page 356
Task 157:Restricting Objectionable Materials......Page 358
Part 11: Interacting with Email......Page 361
Task 158:Setting Up Your Email......Page 362
Task 159:Retrieving and Viewing Email Messages......Page 364
Task 160:Opening and Saving Received Attachments......Page 366
Task 161:Creating and Sending Email......Page 368
Task 162:Forwarding or Replying to a Message......Page 370
Task 163:Sending a Picture or File as an Attachment......Page 372
Task 164:Using Stationery......Page 374
Task 165:Creating Your Own Stationery......Page 376
Task 166:Creating and Using a Signature......Page 378
Task 167:Organizing Your Inbox......Page 380
Task 168:Filing Your Email into Folders......Page 382
Task 169:Finding a Message......Page 384
Task 170:Using Your Address Book......Page 386
Task 171:Creating Your Own Virtual Business Card......Page 388
Task 172:Sending Virtual Business Cards......Page 390
Task 173:Adding Virtual Business Cards Business Card......Page 392
Task 174:Using Message Rules to Kill Spam and Do Other Cool Stuff......Page 394
Part 12: Discussing with Newsgroups......Page 397
Task 175:Connecting to a Newsgroup Server......Page 398
Task 176:Searching for and Subscribing to Newsgroups......Page 400
Task 177:Reading Newsgroup Messages......Page 402
Task 178:Posting a New Message to a Newsgroup......Page 404
Task 179:Replying to a Newsgroup Message......Page 406
Task 180:Downloading Newsgroup to Newsgroups......Page 408
Task 181:Downloading Multipart Newsgroup Message Attachments......Page 410
Task 182:Searching for Messages in a Newsgroup......Page 412
Part 13: Exploring Windows Messenger......Page 415
Task 183:Creating a Passport Account......Page 416
Task 184:Adding and Deleting Contacts......Page 418
Task 185:Carrying On a Conversation......Page 420
Task 186:Changing Your Look in Windows Messenger......Page 422
Task 187:Sending a File or a Picture......Page 424
Task 188:Receiving a File or a Picture......Page 426
Task 189:Configuring Your Audio and Video in Windows Messenger......Page 428
Task 190:Adding Voice and Video to Your Conversation......Page 430
Part 14: Exploring the Other Accessories......Page 433
Task 191:Using the Basic Calculator......Page 434
Task 192:Using the Scientific Calculator......Page 436
Task 193:Performing Statistical Calculations......Page 438
Task 194:Converting Numbers......Page 440
Task 195:Configuring Your Computer to Send Faxes......Page 442
Task 196:Sending a Fax......Page 444
Task 197:Recording Sounds: The Sound Recorder......Page 446
Task 198:Mixing and Modifying Sounds......Page 448
Part 15: Accessibility Features......Page 451
Task 199:Changing the Windows Font Size......Page 452
Task 200:Using the Magnifier......Page 454
Task 201:Using the Narrator......Page 456
Task 202:Using the On- Screen Keyboard......Page 458
Task 203:Selecting the On- Screen Keyboard Layout......Page 460
Task 204:Setting Usability Feature Options......Page 462
Task 205:Setting Usability Feature Options with the Accessibility Wizard......Page 464
Task 206:Using and Setting StickyKeys......Page 466
Task 207:Using and Setting FilterKeys......Page 468
Part 16: Working with User Accounts......Page 471
Task 208:Setting Up a Guest Account......Page 472
Task 209:Creating New User Accounts......Page 474
Task 210:Deleting a User Account......Page 476
Task 211:Changing a User.ˉs Account Name......Page 478
Task 212:Changing the Icon on a User Account......Page 480
Task 213:Changing a User.ˉs Account Type......Page 482
Task 214:Adding a Password to a User Account......Page 484
Task 215:Changing a User Account.ˉs Password......Page 486
Task 216:Removing a Password from a User Account......Page 488
Part 17: Configuring Your Hardware......Page 491
Task 217:Checking Your Hardware.ˉs Status......Page 492
Task 218:Customizing Speaker Settings......Page 494
Task 219:Installing a Printer......Page 496
Task 220:Using a Removable Storage Device......Page 498
Task 221:Installing a Game Controller......Page 500
Task 222:Setting Up Two Monitors......Page 502
Task 223:Uninstalling a Device......Page 504
Part 18: Creating a Simple Network ( LAN)......Page 507
Task 224:Setting Up Your Own Network......Page 508
Task 225:Configuring Your Computers for the Network......Page 510
Task 226:Sharing a Printer......Page 512
Task 227:Accessing a Shared Printer......Page 514
Task 228:Sharing Files......Page 516
Task 229:Accessing Shared Files......Page 518
Task 230:Assigning a Drive Letter to a Shared Folder......Page 520
Part 19: Taking Windows XP on the Road......Page 523
Task 231:Conserving Power......Page 524
Task 232:Putting Your Computer to Sleep: Hibernating......Page 526
Task 233:Creating Multiple Dial- Up Connections......Page 528
Task 234:Taking Files with You:Identifying Offline Files......Page 530
Task 235:Using Offline Files and Resynchronizing......Page 532
Task 236:Creating and Using a Briefcase......Page 534
Part 20: Maintenance and Optimization......Page 537
Task 237:Checking Your Hard Drive for Errors......Page 538
Task 238:Defragmenting Your Hard Drive......Page 540
Task 239:Cleaning Up Your Hard Drive and Making Room......Page 542
Task 240:Adding and Removing Windows Components......Page 544
Task 241:Removing an Application......Page 546
Task 242:Cleaning Up Your Desktop......Page 548
Task 243:The Ultimate Undo: System Restore......Page 550
Task 244:Creating a Restore Point......Page 552
Task 245:Configuring System Restore......Page 554
Task 246:Backing Up Your Files......Page 556
Task 247:Restoring Files from a Backup......Page 558
Task 248:Updating Your System with the Latest Patches and Add- Ons......Page 560
Part 21: Troubleshooting......Page 563
Task 249:Getting Detailed Information about Your Computer......Page 564
Task 250:Getting Older Programs to Run in Windows XP......Page 566
Task 251:Closing a Program That Stops Responding......Page 568
Task 252:Finding Lost Files......Page 570
Task 253:Fixing the Screen When It Doesn.ˉt  Look Right......Page 572
Task 254:Configuring Your System for Remote Access......Page 574
Task 255:Using Remote Desktop......Page 576
Task 256:Asking for Remote Assistance......Page 578
Task 257:Providing Remote Assistance......Page 580
Task 258:Updating Your Video Driver......Page 582
Task 259:Reporting Errors to Microsoft......Page 584
Task 260:Fine- Tuning Your System.ˉs Performance......Page 586
Task 261:My Computer.ˉs Still Too Slow!......Page 588
Index......Page 591