Spring Into Windows XP Service Pack 2

Description

The fastest route to Windows XP SP2 mastery

Are you a professional who's new to Windows XP and Service Pack 2? Or maybe you've been running Windows XP for years, and you've just upgraded to SP2? Either way, you want to run the latest version of Windows as efficiently and reliably as possible. You want to master Windows XP's latest security and networking features - and avoid its traps. And you don't have a minute to waste.

This book's for you. It'll take you further, faster than you ever expected. You won't wade through endless beginner's material or useless theory. You will master today's best techniques: just what you need to run Windows XP SP2 as effectively as possible.

Need specific solutions? This book's modular, "bite-sized" instructions, focused examples, and visual format deliver them - instantly.

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All you need to run Windows XP SP2 with maximum efficiency and reliability

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Upgrade to Windows XP SP2 without risking your data

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Protect your PC and network using SP2's improved Windows Firewall

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Create and secure a wireless network - in just minutes

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Manage your disks and files more efficiently

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Customize your Windows interface for better productivity

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Discover dozens of high-efficiency shortcuts and Command Prompt techniques

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Learn powerful tips with Internet Explorer

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Get enhanced protection in Outlook Express

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Back up your data and settings - and restore them safely

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Integrate Windows XP and Macintosh computers and share their resources

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Fix dozens of common Windows problems, fast!

No other Windows XP SP2 guide teaches professionals this much, this well, this quickly. Dig in, get started, get results!

Spring into is a new series of fast-paced tutorials from Addison-Wesley. Each book in the series is designed to bring you up to speed quickly. Complex topics and technologies are reduced to their core components, and each component is treated with remarkable efficiency in one- or two-page spreads. Just the information you need to begin working...now! And because the books are example-rich and easy to navigate, you'll find that they make great on-the-job references after you've mastered the basics.

 Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS:

Preface.

About the Author.

About the Series Editor.

1. New Features in Service Pack 2.

    What's a Service Pack?

    New Features of Service Pack 2

    How Does Outlook Express Now Combat Spam?

    Defense Against Spam

    New SP2 Security Tools

    Why SP2 Will Improve the Computing Experience

    Get Ready to Install SP2

    Install with Automatic Updates

    Install with Windows Update

    Other Installation Methods

    Post Installation Tasks

    Remove Service Pack 2

    The Security Center

    Wrap Up

2. Windows Installation and Upgrade.

    A Tale of Two Families

    XP Professional v. Home v. Tablet v. Media Center

    XP's New Features

    Install or Upgrade?

    Upgrade to Windows XP

    Files and Settings Transfer

    Finish XP Migration

    Activate Windows XP

    Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    Wrap Up

3. Startup and Shutdown.

    Set XP Startup Options

    Set Startup and Recovery Options

    Use the Power Button

    The Startup Folder

    Bypass the Startup Items

    Restrict Shutdown

    Fast User Switching

    The System Configuration Utility

    Clean Up the Desktop

    Wrap Up

4. Disk and File System Management.

    Add Hard Drive to Increase Storage

    Partition a Drive

    Format a Drive

    Manage the XP File Systems

    FAT16

    FAT32

    NTFS

    Considerations for Dual Booting

    Convert from One File System to Another

    Basic Storage

    Dynamic Storage

    Upgrade a Basic Disk

    Create a Volume on a Dynamic Disk

    Extend a Volume

    Run Disk Cleanup

    Defragment a Volume

    Govern AutoRun Behavior

    Wrap Up

5. Customizing the Windows Interface.

    Use Desktop Themes

    Change the Appearance

    Change the Desktop Background

    Choose a Screen Saver

    Use the My Pictures Slideshow

    Change Monitor Settings

    Improve Monitor Performance

    Change the Date and Time

    Change the Start Menu

    Create Desktop Icons from the Start Menu

    Use the Quick Launch Toolbar

    Pin a Program

    Start Menu and the Classic Theme

    Change the Start Menu with Group Policy

    Edit the Start Menu with a GPO

    Edit Start Menu Contents

    Use the Explorer Window to Edit the Start Menu

    Add Other Content to the Start Menu

    Wrap Up

6. The Command Line and Other Advanced Techniques.

    Get Started with the Command Prompt

    Command.com v. Cmd.exe

    Use the Command Prompt's Online Help

    Tips for Using Console Commands

    AutoComplete at the Command Prompt

    The Command Console and the Clipboard

    Open the Command Prompt for a Specific Target

    The Tree Command

    Disk Quotas

    Use Offline Files, Part I

    Use Offline Files, Part II

    Device Manager

    Driver Signing

    Wrap Up

7. Clicking Less.

    Windows Explorer Defined -

    Change the Task Pane -

    Work with Explorer Views -

    Modify the Details View -

    Understand the New Views -

    Use the Same View for All Folders

    Add Album Art to Music Folders

    Open Explorer for Specific Targets

    Control the Explorer Bar's Contents

    Customize Explorer

    Navigate the Folder Structure

    Customize the Places Bar in the Open Dialog Box

    Customize the Send To Menu

    Use Ctrl and Shift Keyboard Shortcuts

    The Windows Key

    Recycle Bin Options

    Eliminate Confirmation of Delete Operations

    Change the Size of the Recycle Bin

    Wrap Up

8. Print Management.

    Printing Vocabulary

    Printer Types

    Use Printers and Faxes

    Set Up a Printer

    Make a Printer Available to All

    Connect to a Network Printer

    Set Permissions on Network Printers

    Manage a Printer

    Use Two Printers, One Device

    Set Hours of Availability

    Print Priority

    Set up a Print Pool

    The Print Queue

    The Print Spool

    Redirect Print Jobs

    Wrap Up

9. Playing Nicely with Others.

    TCP/IP Fundamentals

    TCP/IP's Big Three

    Default Gateway

    Automatically Configure TCP/IP

    Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing

    Alternate Configuration

    IPCONFIG.EXE

    PING.EXE

    Repair a Connection

    Connect Using Dial-Up Networking

    Lend a Hand with Remote Assistance

    Request Remote Assistance

    Remote Assistance Network Considerations

    Remote Desktop

    Wrap Up

10. Setting Up a Wireless Connection, or How to Check Your Email in a Coffee Shop.

    Types of Wireless Access

    What's Down the Road

    Wireless Network Adapters

    Connect to an Existing Wireless Network

    Additional Wireless Connection Considerations

    Connect Automatically

    Connect to a Secure Network

    Connect to an "Unseen" Network

    Disable the Existing Network Connection

    Secure the Wireless Connection with 802.1x Authentication

    Secure the Wireless Access Point

    Infrared Communication

    Wrap Up

11. Sharing and Securing Information.

    What's a Server?

    So What's a Share?

    Allow Network Sharing

    Share with Simple File Sharing

    Classic Sharing in XP Professional

    Control Access to Shared Folders

    Share Permission Interactions

    Secure Files and Folders with NTFS Permissions

    Connect to a Shared Resource

    Map a Drive

    Firewall Settings for Sharing

    Lock Your Computer

    Work with Apple Computers

    Wrap Up

12. Email and Internet Browsing Tricks.

    Use Email Stationery

    Email a Web Page

    Access Web-Based Email in Outlook Express

    Set Up Outlook Express with AOL

    Back Up Your Email Files

    Back Up Outlook Email

    Restore from Backup

    Protect Your Email: Disable Virus Scanning

    Avoid Virus Hoaxes

    Start Outlook Express from an IE Window

    Stop Automatically Adding to Your Address Book

    Use Multiple Outlook Express Identities

    Use a Messenger Service

    Block People from Contacting You in Messenger

    Prevent Automatic Messenger Sign-In

    Configure the Windows Firewall to Allow IM

    Use "Find On Page"

    Share Your Internet Favorites

    Clear AutoComplete

    Wrap Up

13. XP Backup and Recovery.

    Backup Utility Basics

    Select What to Back Up

    Use Advanced Mode

    Types of Backups

    Create an Automated System Recovery

    Restore with an ASR

    Automate Backup

    Change an Existing Scheduled Job

    Use Existing Backup Settings

    Restore a File from Backup

    Understand System Restore

    Use a Restore Point

    Customize the System Restore Interval

    Clean Up after System Restore

    Other Backup Options

    Wrap Up

14. Common Problems-Easy Fixes.

    Add Yourself to the Administrators Group

    Never Forget Your Password

    Remove a Stored Network Place Password

    Program Compatibility

    Trouble Using Remote Assistance

    Disable an IE Add-On

    Diagnose Slow Performance

    Disable Pop-Up Balloons

    Manage SP2's Pop-up Blocker

    Capture Screen Contents

    Close a Frozen Application

    Disable Error Reporting

    Allow Active Content

    Wrap Up

Index.