Synopses & Reviews
Windows XP is the latest, most reliable, and best-looking version of the world's most widely used operating system. The new Windows combines the same stress-tested, extremely stable engine that drives Windows 2000-Microsoft's corporate operating system-with the far superior compatibility of Windows Me.Windows XP offers dozens of important new features. In addition to the vastly more elegant user interface, it offers drag-and-drop CD burning, powerful built-in features for viewing and managing digital photos and music, and aRemote Assistance feature that lets invited PC gurus or help-desk technicians see and even manipulate what's on your screen over the Internet.But one major failing of Windows remains unaddressed in the XP edition: It comes without a single page of printed instructions.In Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual, New York Times technology columnist (and Missing Manual series creator) David Pogue provides the friendly, authoritative book that should have been in the box. It's the ideal users' guide for the world's most popular operating system.The book begins at the beginning: with a tour of the Desktop, the new, two-column Start menu, and instructions for customizing the Taskbar and toolbars. A special focus: Organizing files, folders, and windows for maximumefficiency and minimum clutter.More advanced chapters explore each control panel and built-in application; walk through every conceivable configuration (setting up a PC for Internet use, peripheral equipment, laptop life, and so on); and setting up a small network, including how to share a single Internet connection among several PCs. Finally, special chapters are dedicated to standard rituals of Windows life: troubleshooting, installation, and upgrading. Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual is a one-stop reference for the Windows user. In keeping with the high standards of the Missing Manual line, the book features superb writing, special features for both absolute novices and power users, and complete coverage. If Microsoft could wave its magic software wand and wish for the perfect guide to its flagship product, Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual would appear like magic.
Review
"The Missing Manual is perfect for those of you out there who, like me, bought a computer years ago in order to help your writing, then ended up spending as much time toying with the computer as you do on that manuscript (especially when the writing's not going well). I find myself lying in bed at night, picking it up and paging through it, learning something here, something there, getting caught up in the discovery process, while Don DeLillio's
Underworld, a novel I've been trying to clear time to sit down with since it was published in 1997, lies on the night table, half-read...when was the last time you curled up with a good computer book?" Rochelle Ratner, American Book Review, June 2003
Review
"This is a thorough, comprehensive and well written guide as you would expect when the author is technology columnist for the New York Times...If you want assistance with Windows XP Home Edition beyond what is available in the help menu, this book is for you. Highly recommended." Jack Merrill, Memphis PC Users Group, May 2003
Review
"I would recommend buying this book if you have Windows XP." Karen Willingham, Bayou Browsers PC Users Group, Feb 2003
Review
"This is an extremely easy-to-follow guide to everything you need to know about Microsoft XP without insulting our intelligence." Joliet IL Herald News, August 26, 2002
Review
"Microsoft isn't rich because of its software alone, but because of the money it saves on user manuals. The included manual for Windows XP Home Edition is a 22-page booklet, but only 15 of the pages have printing on them. (Guess they were saving ink, too.) Of course, there's online help available, and telephone help and help within the system itself. But for many, if they could get the machine on line, they wouldn't be looking for help in the first place, and telephone help costs. For those folks, there's David Pogue's Windows XP Home Edition, The Missing Manual, The Book That Should Have Been In The Box. Published by Pogue Press/O'Reilly, the $24.95 paperback covers just about everything there is to cover in XP in 572 pages, with print on every one of them. Pogue, who has done previous work in the 'missing-manual' genre, is a clear and gifted writer who is able to cut through the technobabble and show the reader how to solve problems and get stuff done...The Missing Manual is an ideal companion for both first-time XP users and more experienced users who find themselves flummoxed by the software." Larry Blasko, Associated Press, June 24, 2002
Synopsis
This complete reference covers the entire Windows XP Home operating system inan easy-to-read, all-in-one handbook.
About the Author
David Pogue, Yale '85, is the personal-technology columnist for the New York Times. With nearly 3 million books in print, he is also one of the world's bestselling how-to authors, having written or co-written seven books in the "for Dummies" series (including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Classical Music), along with several computer-humor books and a technothriller, "Hard Drive" (a New York Times "notable book of the year"). Pogue is also the creator and primary author of the Missing Manual series of complete, funny computer books, a joint venture with O'Reilly & Associates. Titles in the series include Mac OS X, Windows XP, iPod, Microsoft Office, iPhoto, Dreamweaver, iMovie 2, and many others. His Web page is www.davidpogue.com, and his email address is [email protected].
Table of Contents
The Missing CreditsThe Missing Credits; About the Author; About the Creative Team; Acknowledgments; The Missing Manual Series; Introduction; About This Book; The Windows XP DesktopPart One\ The Windows XP Desktop; Chapter 1: A Welcome to Windows XPA Welcome to Windows XP; 1.1 What It's ForWhat It's For; 1.2 Getting Ready for WindowsGetting Ready for Windows; 1.3 What's New in Windows XPWhat's New in Windows XP; 1.4 The Dark Side of Windows XPThe Dark Side of Windows XP; Chapter 2: The Desktop and Start MenuThe Desktop and Start Menu; 2.1 Logging OnLogging On; 2.2 The Elements of the XP DesktopThe Elements of the XP Desktop; 2.3 Start→Log OffStart?Log Off; 2.4 Start→Turn Off ComputerStart?Turn Off Computer; 2.5 Start→All ProgramsStart?All Programs; 2.6 Start→RunStart?Run; 2.7 Start→SearchStart?Search; 2.8 Start→Help and SupportStart?Help and Support; 2.9 Start→Control PanelStart?Control Panel; 2.10 Start→My Network PlacesStart?My Network Places; 2.11 Start→My ComputerStart?My Computer; 2.12 Start→My Music, My PicturesStart?My Music, My Pictures; 2.13 Start→My Recent DocumentsStart?My Recent Documents; 2.14 Start→My DocumentsStart?My Documents; 2.15 Customizing the Start MenuCustomizing the Start Menu; Chapter 3: Windows, Folders, and the TaskbarWindows, Folders, and the Taskbar; 3.1 Windows in WindowsWindows in Windows; 3.2 The Desktop Window OverhaulThe Desktop Window Overhaul; 3.3 Window ToolbarsWindow Toolbars; 3.4 The TaskbarThe Taskbar; 3.5 Taskbar ToolbarsTaskbar Toolbars; Chapter 4: Organizing Your StuffOrganizing Your Stuff; 4.1 The Folders of Windows XPThe Folders of Windows XP; 4.2 Life with IconsLife with Icons; 4.3 Copying and Moving Folders and FilesCopying and Moving Folders and Files; 4.4 The Recycle BinThe Recycle Bin; 4.5 Shortcut IconsShortcut Icons; 4.6 Compressing Files and FoldersCompressing Files and Folders; 4.7 Burning CDs from the DesktopBurning CDs from the Desktop; Chapter 5: Getting HelpGetting Help; 5.1 Navigating the Help SystemNavigating the Help System; 5.2 "What's This?": Help for Dialog Boxes; 5.3 Remote AssistanceRemote Assistance; 5.4 Getting Help from MicrosoftGetting Help from Microsoft; The Components of Windows XP; Chapter 6: Programs and DocumentsPrograms and Documents; 6.1 Launching ProgramsLaunching Programs; 6.2 Switching ProgramsSwitching Programs; 6.3 Exiting ProgramsExiting Programs; 6.4 When Programs DieWhen Programs Die; 6.5 Saving DocumentsSaving Documents; 6.6 Closing DocumentsClosing Documents; 6.7 The Open Dialog BoxThe Open Dialog Box; 6.8 Moving Data Between DocumentsMoving Data Between Documents; 6.9 Filename ExtensionsFilename Extensions; 6.10 Installing SoftwareInstalling Software; 6.11 Uninstalling SoftwareUninstalling Software; 6.12 Running Pre-XP ProgramsRunning Pre-XP Programs; 6.13 Service Pack 1Service Pack 1; Chapter 7: The Freebie SoftwareThe Freebie Software; 7.1 The Windows XP AccessoriesThe Windows XP Accessories; 7.2 Windows XP GamesWindows XP Games; 7.3 Everything ElseEverything Else; Chapter 8: Pictures, Movies, and SoundsPictures, Movies, and Sounds; 8.1 Digital Photos in XPDigital Photos in XP; 8.2 ScanningScanning; 8.3 Windows Media PlayerWindows Media Player; 8.4 Windows Movie MakerWindows Movie Maker; 8.5 Making WAVs with Sound RecorderMaking WAVs with Sound Recorder; Chapter 9: The Control PanelThe Control Panel; 9.1 Category View: The Big XP ChangeCategory View\ The Big XP Change; 9.2 Accessibility OptionsAccessibility Options; 9.3 Add New HardwareAdd New Hardware; 9.4 Add or Remove ProgramsAdd or Remove Programs; 9.5 Administrative ToolsAdministrative Tools; 9.6 Date and TimeDate and Time; 9.7 DisplayDisplay; 9.8 Folder OptionsFolder Options; 9.9 FontsFonts; 9.10 Gaming OptionsGaming Options; 9.11 Internet OptionsInternet Options; 9.12 KeyboardKeyboard; 9.13 MouseMouse; 9.14 Network ConnectionsNetwork Connections; 9.15 Phone and Modem OptionsPhone and Modem Options; 9.16 Power OptionsPower Options; 9.17 Printers and FaxesPrinters and Faxes; 9.18 Regional and Language OptionsRegional and Language Options; 9.19 Scanners and CamerasScanners and Cameras; 9.20 Scheduled TasksScheduled Tasks; 9.21 Sounds and Audio DevicesSounds and Audio Devices; 9.22 SpeechSpeech; 9.23 SystemSystem; 9.24 Taskbar and Start MenuTaskbar and Start Menu; 9.25 User AccountsUser Accounts; Windows OnlinePart Three\ Windows Online; Chapter 10: Hooking Up to the InternetHooking Up to the Internet; 10.1 Five Degrees of Online ReadinessFive Degrees of Online Readiness; 10.2 How to Get OnlineHow to Get Online; 10.3 Establishing a Brand-new Internet AccountEstablishing a Brand-new Internet Account; 10.4 Manually Plugging in Internet SettingsManually Plugging in Internet Settings; 10.5 Connecting to the InternetConnecting to the Internet; 10.6 Advanced Modem SettingsAdvanced Modem Settings; Chapter 11: Web, Chat, and VideoconferencingWeb, Chat, and Videoconferencing; 11.1 Internet Explorer 6Internet Explorer 6; 11.2 Windows MessengerWindows Messenger; Chapter 12: Outlook Express 6Outlook Express 6; 12.1 Setting up Outlook ExpressSetting up Outlook Express; 12.2 Sending EmailSending Email; 12.3 Reading EmailReading Email; 12.4 Configuring Outlook ExpressConfiguring Outlook Express; 12.5 NewsgroupsNewsgroups; Plugging In to Windows XPPart Four\ Plugging In to Windows XP; Chapter 13: Printing, Fonts, and FaxingPrinting, Fonts, and Faxing; 13.1 Installing a PrinterInstalling a Printer; 13.2 PrintingPrinting; 13.3 Controlling PrintoutsControlling Printouts; 13.4 Fancy Printer TricksFancy Printer Tricks; 13.5 Printer TroubleshootingPrinter Troubleshooting; 13.6 FontsFonts; 13.7 FaxingFaxing; Chapter 14: HardwareHardware; 14.1 The Master Compatibility ListThe Master Compatibility List; 14.2 Hardware ConnectionsHardware Connections; 14.3 Connecting New GadgetsConnecting New Gadgets; 14.4 When Plug and Play Doesn't WorkWhen Plug and Play Doesn't Work; 14.5 Driver SigningDriver Signing; 14.6 The Device ManagerThe Device Manager; 14.7 Hardware ProfilesHardware Profiles; Chapter 15: Maintenance, Backups, and TroubleshootingMaintenance, Backups, and Troubleshooting; 15.1 System RestoreSystem Restore; 15.2 Disk CleanupDisk Cleanup; 15.3 Disk DefragmenterDisk Defragmenter; 15.4 Hard Drive CheckupsHard Drive Checkups; 15.5 Disk ManagementDisk Management; 15.6 Task SchedulerTask Scheduler; 15.7 Microsoft BackupMicrosoft Backup; 15.8 The BriefcaseThe Briefcase; 15.9 Safe Mode and the Startup MenuSafe Mode and the Startup Menu; 15.10 The RegistryThe Registry; Building a NetworkPart Five\ Building a Network; Chapter 16: Accounts, Security, and Logging OnAccounts, Security, and Logging On; 16.1 Introducing User AccountsIntroducing User Accounts; 16.2 Setting up AccountsSetting up Accounts; 16.3 Setting Up the Logon ProcessSetting Up the Logon Process; 16.4 Logging OnLogging On; 16.5 The Guest AccountThe Guest Account; 16.6 The Administrator AccountThe Administrator Account; 16.7 All About ProfilesAll About Profiles; Chapter 17: Setting Up a NetworkSetting Up a Network; 17.1 Kinds of NetworksKinds of Networks; 17.2 Installing DriversInstalling Drivers; 17.3 Internet Connection SharingInternet Connection Sharing; 17.4 The Network Setup WizardThe Network Setup Wizard; Chapter 18: Using Your NetworkUsing Your Network; 18.1 Simple File SharingSimple File Sharing; 18.2 The Shared Documents FolderThe Shared Documents Folder; 18.3 Sharing Your Own FoldersSharing Your Own Folders; 18.4 Accessing Other ComputersAccessing Other Computers; 18.5 Working with Network FilesWorking with Network Files; 18.6 Shared Folders OnlineShared Folders Online; 18.7 Mapping Shares to Drive LettersMapping Shares to Drive Letters; 18.8 Three Ways to Dial In from the RoadThree Ways to Dial In from the Road; AppendixesPart Six\ Appendixes; Installing Windows XP Home EditionInstalling Windows XP Home Edition; Before You BeginBefore You Begin; Upgrade vs. Clean InstallUpgrade vs. Clean Install; Dual BootingDual Booting; Choosing a File SystemChoosing a File System; Installing Windows XPInstalling Windows XP; The Setup WizardThe Setup Wizard; The Files and Settings Transfer WizardThe Files and Settings Transfer Wizard; Backing Out of Windows XPBacking Out of Windows XP; Windows XP, Menu by Menu; File Menu; Edit Menu; View Menu; Favorites Menu; Tools Menu; Help Menu; ColophonColophon;