Author BioGreg Perry is a speaker and a writer on both the programming and application sides of computing. He is known for his skills at bringing advanced computer topics to the novice's level. Perry has been a programmer and a trainer since the early 1980s. He received his first degree in computer science and a master's degree in corporate finance. Perry has sold more than 2 million computer books worldwide, including such titles as Digital Video with Windows XP in a Snap, Sams Teach Yourself Windows XP in 24 Hours, Sams Teach Yourself Visual Basic 6 in 21 Days, as well as the phenomenal bestseller Sams Teach Yourself Office 2003 in 24 Hours. He also writes about rental property management, social and political issues, creates and manages websites, loves to travel and enjoys home life with his lovely wife Jayne and their two fluffy dogs Casper and Zucchi.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Who Should Read This Book?
What This Book Does for You
Conventions Used in This Book
I. UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS.
1. Beyond the On Switch . . .
What Is an Operating System?
So What's Behind the Name Windows?
How Can I Tell if I Have Windows XP?
Looking at Windows XP
What's What on the Windows Desktop
The Windows Desktop: Just Another Pretty Face
Taking Shortcuts
Getting a Good Start in Computing
Dealing with the Tasks at Hand
Presenting the Windows Notification Area
Making (Mouse) Tracks
Learning All the Moves
That's All, Folks!
Summary
2. Keeping Windows Happy.
The Effects of What We Do
Essential Parts of Windows
Your Windows Folder
What's the Windows Registry Anyway?
Using Control Panel
Meet Device Manager
Top Ten Ways to Keep Windows Running Well
It's All About Compatibility
Summary
3. More About PC Health Care.
Safe Storing Your Files
Choosing Your Backup Media
Defragmenting Your Hard Drive
Analyze Before You Defragment
Running the Defragmenter
Cleaning Your Disk
Protecting Yourself Against Computer Viruses
Antivirus Programs: Vitamin C for Your PC
When Bad Things Happen to Good Systems: Using System Restore
Computer Chaos
My Computer Won't Turn On!
My Computer Froze! What Now?
Disk and Drive Dilemmas
The Floppy That Won't Fit
The Unrecognizable CD
Monitor Messes
All Powered Up and Nothing to See
Printing Problems
Where's My Document?
Partial Printing
Internet Issues
Slow Connections
Dropped Connections
Busy Internet Connections
Summary
II. GETTING STARTED WITH WINDOWS.
4. Diving into Windows.
Rearranging the Desktop Icons
Enlarging Your Desktop Icons
Maximize Screen Size by Hiding the Taskbar
Meeting the Wizards
Banishing the Desktop Blues
Changing the Desktop Background/Wallpaper Using Files Provided
Coming Up with a New Scheme
The Best of Desktop Decorating
Defining Your Own Desktop Shortcuts
Customizing the Windows XP Start Menu
Changing the Look of Your Start Menu
Summary
5. Managing the Windows Interface.
A Quick Taskbar and Start Button Review
Moving the Taskbar
The Taskbar Menu
The Taskbar Properties Menu
Taskbar
Remaining Taskbar Properties
Toolbars on your Taskbar
Adjusting Your System Clock and Date
Managing Multiple Windows with the Taskbar
Tiling and Cascading Windows
Sizing the Taskbar
Starting Programs with the Start Menu
Getting Acquainted from the Command Prompt
Using the Run Command
Summary
6. Working with My Computer and Windows Explorer.
My Computer
Looking at My Computer
Working in the My Computer Window
Working with My Computer
Other Start Menu Windows
Navigating with Windows Explorer
The Explorer Options
Making Windows XP Easier to Use
More About Control Panel
Modifying the Mouse Properties
Different Wallpaper
Adding Handy Desktop Icons
Summary
7. Customizing and Improving Your Desktop.
Activate Your Desktop
Synchronizing Your Web Page Desktop
Active Content
SOS-Save Our Screens!
Setting Up a Screensaver
Paint Windows XP
Summary
8. Calling for Help.
Introducing the Help and Support Center (HSC)
Getting Topical Help
Obtaining Support
Contacting Remote Assistance
Updating Windows
Checking Hardware and Software
Staying Current with 'Did You Know?'
Searching the Index
Other Forms of Help
Using Application Help
Using Pop-Up Help
Summary
III. WORKING WITH FILES AND FOLDERS.
9. Understanding File Management Essentials.
Managing Documents and Other Files with a Right Mouse Click
Right-Click to Copy and Move Documents
Using the Explorer's Task Pane
Where Do the Deleted Files Go?
Basics of Files and Folders
More About Associating Files with Programs
Organizing with Folders
Adding a Folder
Deleting a Folder
Copying or Moving a Folder
Renaming a Folder
Common Folders
Summary
10. Finding Information.
Introducing Search
Searching for Pictures, Music, or Video
Searching for Data Documents
Searching for Any File
Searching Files and Folders
Improving Your Searches
Summary
IV. MAKING THINGS HAPPEN WITH YOUR PC.
11. It's All About the Software.
Software Defined
Word Processors
Spreadsheets (aka Worksheets and Workbooks)
Databases
Graphics and Presentation Programs
Personal Information Managers
Fun and Games
Internet Programs
Utility Programs
Purchasing a New Program
Where to Buy Software
Registering Your Software
Upgrading Software
About Adding and Removing Programs with Windows
Using the Add or Remove Programs Window
Customizing Windows
Installed Applications
Uninstallation Procedures
A Last Resort
Summary
12. Going Multimedia with Media Player.
The Computers Are Alive, with the Sound of Music!
Setting CD Playback Options
More Facts About the CD in the Hot Seat
Selecting CD Tracks to Play
Burning Music CDs
Copying Music Files to Your Media Library
Building a Playlist from Files in Your Media Library
Making Your Own CD
Music and Videos on the Web
Tuning into the Radio Online
For the Record
Enjoying DVDs
I Want My DVD!
Playing a DVD Movie
Summary
13. Recording Audio.
About Recording
Not All Sound File Formats Are Created Equal
Adding a Microphone
Choosing a Microphone
Installing Your Microphone
Introducing Sound Recorder
Making a Test Recording
Configuring for Best Sound
Audio Recording Tips
Recording Sound Using Other Programs
More About Speech Recognition Software
Summary
14. Going Digital with Your Scanner or Camera and Windows XP.
Selecting a Scanner
What Scanners Can Do for You
How Do Scanners Work?
Which Scanner Is Right for Me?
The World of Digital Cameras
Choosing a Digital Camera
Your Scanner or Digital Camera and Windows XP
From Digital Camera to . . .
Acquiring Pictures with the Scanner and Camera Wizard
Viewing a Slideshow of the Images on Your Camera
Printing the Images Residing on Your Camera
Opening the Folder to View Files
Scanning Images into Word
Redefining Scanner Defaults
Safely Removing the Hardware from Your Computer
Managing Your Images from the My Pictures Folder
Setting Up the My Pictures Slide Show
Emailing Photos to Friends and Family
Creating a Photo CD
Ordering Photo Prints from the Internet
Publishing Photos to the Web
Viewing Your Virtual Filmstrip
Summary
15. Making Movies with Windows Movie Maker.
Getting Started with Windows Movie Maker
Planning for a Great Video
Keep the Background in the Background
Light Up Your Life
It's What You Wear That Counts
Presenting Windows Movie Maker
Getting Video for the Movie
Pasting Clips Together
Trimming the Clips
Rearranging the Clips
Adding Cross-Fade Transitions
Saving Your Work
Creating a Soundtrack for Your Movie
Recording a Narrative
Adding Tunes to Your Movie
Summary
16. Gaming with Windows XP.
Grooving on the XPerience
Trying Out XP's Own
Locating Great Games
Tips for Optimum Game Playing
Identifying Common Problems
Working Through Problems
Playing Older Games
What's DirectX?
Getting Help with Games
Summary
17. Sharing Your PC.
Knowing the Basics
PC Security and Sharing
Setting Up Users
Create Your Accounts
Change an Account
Change the Way Users Log On or Off
Logging On and Off and Switching User Accounts
Summary
V. INTERFACING WINDOWS AND HARDWARE.
18. Exploring Your Hardware Interface.
The 'Magic' of Plug and Play
Windows Offers Hardware Help
Setting Up a Second PC
Summary
19. Understanding Printing and Fonts.
Introduction to Spooled Printing
Setting Up a Printer
The Print Dialog Box
Managing Print Jobs
Deferred Printing
Fonts Have Style
Fonts and Typefaces
Removing Fonts
Summary
20. Giving Windows a Tune-Up.
Updating Windows
How the Updates Work
Updating Windows Yourself
Transferring Settings from One Computer to Another
What's in Your System?
What the Heck Are Service Packs?
Another Way of Getting Service Pack 2
Do I Already Have Service Pack 2?
What You Get with Service Pack 2
Summary
VI. LEARNING HOW TO NETWORK COMPUTERS.
21. Understanding the Nature of Networks.
What Is a Network?
How Networks Are Put Together
Physical Networking-The Hardware
Network Devices
The Logical Network
The Varieties of Networks
LANs
HANS
WANs
Wireless Networks
How the Internet Relates to Your Network
Understanding Bandwidth
Understanding Different Kinds of Internet Connections
Why Does the Internet Matter for Your Network?
Intranets, Extranets, and the Internet
Networking's Breakthrough: Packet-Switched Data
Benefits of Networking
Simplified Resource Sharing
Networking Is Faster
Centralized Management
Summary
22. Getting Data from Here to There: How Computers Share Data.
A Warning for the Technically Challenged
Logical Topologies
Ethernet
Token Ring and FDDI
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Network Protocols
The OSI Model (And Why You Should Be Familiar with It)
TCP/IP
IPX
NetBIOS and NetBEUI
Summary
23. Mastering Computer and Network Concepts.
Computer Hardware
The Motherboard
The Power Supply
The CPU
Memory
Disks
Add-In Adapter Cards
Client Operating System Software
Multitasking Versus Single-Tasking Systems
What Networks Are Made Of
Network-Specific Hardware
Software: Network Operating Systems
Summary
24. Networking for Simple Computer Setups.
Why You Might Want to Install a Home Network
Installing a Simple Home Network
Installing a Network Adapter in Your PC
Sharing Your High-Speed Internet Connection
Connecting a Cable or DSL Modem to Your Network
Internet Connection Sharing
What's a Proxy Anyway?
Network Security Concerns
Connecting a Cable/DSL Firewall Router to Your Network
Summary
25. Going Wireless.
What You Need to Know About Wireless Networking and Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi Revolution
Wireless Networking Hardware
Wireless Network Adapters
Installing a Conversion Card/Wireless Card Combo
Setting Up Windows XP with Your Wireless Network
Setup Automatic Wireless Network Configuration
Connect to an Available Wireless Network
Wireless Security Concerns
Summary
26. Personal Security and Privacy on a Network.
About Protection and Privacy
Sharing Files and Folders
Sharing Folders
Securing Files and Folders
Assigning Passwords to Files and Folders
Using a Firewall
Configuring Windows XP's Firewall
About Third-Party Protection
Summary
VII. GOING ONLINE WITH THE INTERNET.
27. Exploring the Internet's Technology.
Understanding the Net (Easy Version)
A Little History Lesson
What It Became
The Internet As the Mother of All Networks
Making the Net Work: Clients and Servers
What Can You Do Through the Net
Browse the Web
Visit Companies, Governments, Museums, Schools . . .
Read the News
Explore Libraries
Read
Get Software and Trade Files
Shop
Watch TV and Listen to CD-Quality Music and Radio Broadcasts
Play Games, Get a College Degree, Waste Time . . .
Exchange Messages
Have a Discussion
Chat
Run Programs on Other Computers
Working on the Net
Setting Up a Website Of Your Own
Summary
28. Connecting to the Internet.
Types of Internet Accounts
Dial-Up Accounts
Broadband
Where Can I Get Dial-Up Access?
Commercial Online Services
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Free Internet!
Finding a Local ISP
How Do I Choose a Dial-Up Internet Plan?
Getting Connected
Number, Username, and Password
Using Supplied Software
Why Use a Signup Program?
Running a Typical Signup Program
Using the Connection Wizard on Your Own
Running the Connection Wizard
Connecting at Last
Summary
29. Browsing Basics.
About Your 'Home Page'
Understanding Web Page Addresses
Anatomy of a Web Address
Going Straight to Any Web Address
Entering and Editing URLs
Basic Jumping Around
Finding and Using Links
Using Navigation Buttons: Back, Forward, Home, and Stop
Fussing with Frames
Summary
VIII. COMMUNICATING WITH THE WORLD.
30. Using Email.
Types of Email Programs
Understanding Email Addresses
Setting Up Your Email Program
Configuring Email
Getting Around in Your Email Program
Choosing a Folder
Displaying a Message
Composing and Sending a Message
Writing Your Message
Composing a New Message in Netscape Messenger
Sending a Message
Receiving Messages
Replying and Forwarding
Using an Address Book
Adding to Your Address Book
Addressing a Message from the Address Book
Attaching Files to Email Messages
Receiving Email with Attachments
Attachment Method 1 (No Security)
Attachment Method 2 (Some Security)
Attachment Method 3 (Best Security)
Using the Web for Email
Summary
31. Chatting and Instant Messaging.
Understanding Internet Chatting
Chatting Through Your Browser
Finding Sites with Chat Rooms
Chatting at Yahoo!
The Chat Window
Chatting on AOL
Using the People Connection
Moving to Another Room
Using a Chat Client
Joining a Chat Room
Choosing an Identity
Entering a Room
What Is Instant Messaging?
AOL Instant Messenger
ICQ
MSN/Windows Messenger
Yahoo!
Trillian
What Else Messaging Lets You Do
Summary
32. Participating in Newsgroups, Web Message Boards, and Blogs.
Getting Started with Newsgroups
Configuring Your Newsreader
Downloading the Newsgroups List
Finding and Subscribing to Newsgroups
Reading Newsgroup Messages
Composing and Replying to Messages
Web-based Message Boards
Finding Weblogs, Also Known As Blogs
Summary
IX. GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE INTERNET.
33. Searching for Information.
What's a Search Site?
Can I Really Search the Whole Web?
Where Are the Major Search Sites?
Simple Searching by Clicking Categories
Why Use Categories Instead of a Search Term?
Using a Directory
Understanding Searches
Phrasing a Simple Search
Phrasing a Serious Search
Using Multiple Words in a Search Term
Using Operators to Control Searches
Conducting a Super Search
About Site Searches
Summary
34. Downloading Programs and Files.
What's Downloading, Anyhow?
Click a Link, Get a File
How Long Does Downloading Take?
Choosing Files You Can Use
The Two File Types: Program and Data
Common Data File Types on the Net
Finding Sites That Help You Find Files
All-Purpose Shareware Sites
Commercial Software Sites
Working with Zip Files
Watching Out for Viruses
Downloading Files in AOL
Summary
35. Finding People.
Finding the People-Finding Sites
Finding Yourself in Yahoo!'s People Search
Using People-Finders Through Your Email Program
Finding People in America Online
Other Folk-Finding Tips
Try an Advanced Search
Use a Company or School Directory
Try Name Variations
Use Old Communications to Start the New Ones
Summary
36. Protecting Your Family's Online Experience.
Choosing a Family Starting Point
Important Family Safety Steps
Supervise!
Don't Defeat Passwords
Be Extra Careful with Broadband
Resist Chat
Resources for Parents
Censoring Web Content
Getting a Safe-Surfing Program
Using Internet Explorer's Built-In Content Advisor
Enabling and Configuring Content Advisor
Using AOL's Parental Controls
Summary
37. Buying and Selling on the Internet.
Shopping 'Til You Drop
Using Accounts and Shopping Baskets
Buying Stocks and Such
Investment Starting Points
Finding All the Sites Online That Sell What You Want
Buying and Selling Through Online Auctions
How Online Auction Houses Work
Bidding Tips
Selling Tips
Using a Payment Service
Summary
X. DIAGNOSING PROBLEMS AND PLANNING UPGRADES.
38. Deciding to Upgrade.
When to Consider Upgrading Your PC
What Components in My PC Are Upgradeable?
Upgrading Your Memory (RAM)
Upgrading Your CPU
Upgrading Your Hard Disk Drive
Upgrading Your Video System
Upgrading Other PC Components
Precautions to Take
Shut Down, Turn Off, Unplug
Watch Yourself
Ground Yourself
Read the Fine Manual (RTFM)
Tools You'll Need
Summary
39. Understanding System Components.
Eliminating Potential Hazards
Differentiating Between Desktop and Tower PCs
Identifying Your PC's External Connectors
Identifying the Parts Inside Your PC
Identifying the Motherboard
Identifying the CPU
Can't See the CPU? Here's Why
Identifying Memory (RAM)
Identifying Disk Drives
Identifying Add-in Adapters
Identifying the PC Power Supply
What You Need to Know About Integrated Motherboards
What Does Integrated Motherboard Mean?
Summary
XI. UPGRADING YOUR PC AND ITS COMPONENTS.
40. Upgrading Your PC Motherboard, BIOS, CPU, and Memory.
Getting Smart About the Process
Motherboards
Considerations in Upgrading or Replacing a Motherboard
Basics of Removing and Installing a Motherboard
Installing a New Motherboard in Your PC
Troubleshooting
The BIOS (Also Known As Motherboard's Brain)
Determining If You Need to Upgrade Your BIOS
Different Methods for Upgrading Your BIOS
CPUs
Considerations in Upgrading or Replacing a CPU
Basics of Removing and Installing a CPU
Troubleshooting
Memory
About Memory
Different Types of Memory
Identifying Your Memory
Basics of Removing and Adding Memory
Troubleshooting
Summary
41. Upgrading Your PC's Case and Power Supply.
Deciding to Upgrade Your Case and Power Supply
What to Look for When Shopping for a New Case
Upgrading Your Case
Where You Can Purchase a New Case
Power Supplies
Summary
42. Replacing, Upgrading, or Adding a Drive.
Drive Types by Format
Drive Connection Types: IDE Versus SCSI Versus Removable
Making Decisions About Getting a New Hard Drive
Is Your Upgrade an Addition or a Replacement?
IDE Versus SCSI for Hard Drive Choice
Installing an IDE Drive in Your PC
Replacing a Drive
Adding a Second Drive to the Same IDE Controller
Installing a SCSI Drive in Your PC
Adding a Second SCSI Drive
Installing a Removable Drive
Preparing Your Hard Drives for Software
About Windows XP and Installing a New Hard Drive
About Drive Partitioning
Formatting Your Drive
Installing an Operating System on Your PC
Tips on Improving Your Hard Disk Performance
Defrag Your Hard Disk Regularly
Delete Unneeded Files
Summary
43. Adding Adapters.
Features and Types of Adapters
Basics of Adding an Adapter
With Replacements, Start By Removing Driver Support
Disabling an Integrated Component
Removing and Installing
Checking Device Manager
Summary
44. Upgrading Your Keyboard, Mouse, and Other Input Devices.
Is Anything Wrong with My Keyboard or Mouse?
Fixing a Keyboard?
Mice and Other Pointing Devices
Tips on Cleaning Your Input Devices
Cleaning Your Keyboard
Cleaning Your Mouse
Summary
45. Upgrading Your Monitor.
Different Types Available
Matching Your Monitor to Your Video Adapter
Why an Upgrade to a Bigger Monitor Might Be Best
Selecting Your New Monitor
Removing and Installing a Monitor
Summary
46. Selecting and Installing a Printer.
Understanding the Types of Printers
How to Select a Printer
Comparing Various Printer Models
Print Speed
Print Quality
Color Versus Monochrome
Installing a Printer to Work with Your PC
Connecting the Hardware
Installing Your Printer Driver
Installing a Second Printer to Work with Your PC
Method One: Switching the Cable
Method Two: Installing a Second Parallel Port
Method Three: Installing an A/B Switch
Method Four: Using Both Parallel and USB Ports
About Scanners
Summary
47. Purchasing PC Components on the Internet.
Purchasing Over the Internet
Locating Companies
Internet Security
Tips on Buying PC Components
Online Auctions
Summary
Index.
