Maran Illustrated Windows XP 101 Hot Tips

240 Pages·2005·41.362 MB·English

by  Ruth (Ruth Maran) Maran

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101 Hot Tips™
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CREDITS
Authors: President,
Ruth Maran Thomson Course Technology:
Kelleigh Johnson David R. West
Technical Consultant & Senior Vice President of
Post Production: Business Development,
Robert Maran Thomson Course Technology:
Andy Shafran
Project Manager:
Judy Maran Publisher and General Manager,
Thomson Course Technology PTR:
Editor: Stacy L. Hiquet
Jill Maran Dutfield
Associate Director of Marketing,
Proofreader: Thomson Course Technology PTR:
Jennifer March Sarah O’Donnell
Layout Artist & Screen Artist: National Sales Manager,
Richard Hung Thomson Course Technology PTR:
Amy Merrill
Screen Artist:
Russ Marini Manager of Editorial Services,
Thomson Course Technology PTR:
Indexer: Heather Talbot
Kelleigh Johnson
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to the dedicated staff of maranGraphics, including
Richard Hung, Kelleigh Johnson, Wanda Lawrie, Jill Maran,
Judy Maran, Robert Maran, Ruth Maran, Jennifer March,
Russ Marini and Raquel Scott.
Finally, to Richard Maran who originated the easy-to-use
graphic format of this guide. Thank you for your
inspiration and guidance.
maranGraphics is a family-run business.
AtmaranGraphics, we believe in We spend hours deciding the best way
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WHAT MAKES A BOOK UNIQUE!
Maran Illustrated™ Windows XP 101 Hot Tips is
jam-packed with exciting new topics and features
that allow you to unleash the power of Windows
XP! Completely updated to cover all the latest
features of Windows XP SP2, this guide is sure to
boost your knowledge and make you work smarter,
not harder, in Windows XP.
ˇ
‹
›
¤
⁄
⁄No page ¤Step-by-step ‹Maran’s Four ›Maran’s Red ˇPump up
flipping! Topics are instructions Screens Across™ Line™ technology your knowledge!
self-contained on explain each topic technology lets your pinpoints the exact Useful tips dig
two-page spreads. using clear, easy- eyes naturally follow location to focus deeper into each
to-understand the screens from left on in the screen. topic.
language. to right—just like
traditional reading!
Table of Contents
1
Unleash Your Computer's Potential
Task#1 What is Service Pack 2 for Windows XP?............................................12
#2 How can I get Service Pack 2 for Windows XP?..................................13
#3 Make sure your computer is secure....................................................14
#4 Change when Windows installs important updates ............................16
#5 Stop Windows from notifying you of security problems ....................18
#6 Supercharge your computer with Microsoft PowerToys......................19
#7 Automatically launch your favorite program........................................22
#8 Make your computer more energy efficient........................................24
#9 Make your computer speak to you......................................................26
#10 Make your computer work while you play..........................................28
#11 Use more than one monitor to expand your desktop area..................32
#12 Prevent other people from accessing your computer..........................34
#13 Limit the hard disk space available for users ......................................36
#14 Set up a wireless network ..................................................................38
#15 Connect to a wireless network............................................................42
#16 Add a Bluetooth device to your computer ..........................................44
2
Maximize the Power of Your Files and Folders
Task#17 Open files and folders with a single click............................................50
#18 Change the program that opens a file ................................................51
#19 Prevent other users from viewing your personal files..........................52
#20 Get quick access to files you recently used ........................................54
#21 Quickly send files to another location ................................................56
#22 Place scraps of information on your desktop ....................................58 ABC Logo
#23 Permanently delete a confidential file..................................................59
#24 Find lost files ......................................................................................60
#25 Jazz up the appearance of your folder icons........................................62
#26 Have each folder open in its own window..........................................64
#27 Automatically reopen folders when you next log on ..........................65
#28 Make the items in all your folders look the same................................66
#29 Change the information shown in the Details view ............................67
#30 Save storage space using compressed folders ....................................68
3
Add a Personal Touch to Your Computer
Task#31 Give Windows a retro look..................................................................72
#32 Decorate your desktop with your favorite picture ..............................74
#33 Have your desktop display Web content ............................................76
#34 Display cool shortcut icons ................................................................80
#35 Set up a screen saver slide show ........................................................82
#36 Improve the appearance of text by using ClearType............................84
#37 Change the picture beside your user name ........................................86
#38 Customize the mouse for left-handed users........................................88
#39 Add extra fonts to your computer ......................................................90
#40 Enter text in a different language ........................................................92
#41 Remove the animated dog from the Search Companion ....................96
#42 Set up your computer for visitors........................................................98
Properties
4
Boost Your Efficiency
Task#43 Place items on the taskbar for quick access......................................102
#44 Create a toolbar for instant access to a folder ..................................104
#45 Stop Windows from grouping taskbar buttons..................................106
#46 Alphabetically arrange items on the Start menu................................107
#47 Display folder contents on the Start menu........................................108
#48 Pop the balloon tips ..........................................................................110
#49 Quickly shut down Windows with a double-click ............................112
#50 Quickly lock your computer..............................................................114
#51 Instantly clean up your desktop by hiding icons................................115
#52 Perform housekeeping on your computer ........................................116 Budget Meeting Notes
#53 Remove a program to save hard disk space......................................118
#54 Save time with keyboard shortcuts....................................................120
y Documents 12:00PM
Table of Contents
5
Boost Your Computer's Fun Factor
Ski Dreams [WS]
Task#55 Copy pictures from your digital camera............................................124 Ski Dreams [WS] 2:15:53
#56 Create a personalized sound scheme for your computer..................128 Title 2 6:14
Title 3
#57 Change the size of Windows Media Player ......................................130 Title 4
Title 5
#58 Change how Windows Media Player looks with skins......................132
Title 6
#59 Copy songs from a music CD to your computer ..............................134 Title 7
Estimated Time: 2:28:42
#60 Create your own music playlists........................................................136
#61 Burn your own music CD..................................................................138 View DVD Info
#62 Copy songs to your MP3 player........................................................140
#63 Place 100 or more songs on a single CD..........................................142
#64 Turn your computer into a radio........................................................146
#65 Play DVD movies..............................................................................148
6
Simple Solutions for Computer Problems
End Program - Outlook Express
Task#66 Close a misbehaving program ..........................................................152
#67 Use print screen to capture your screen ..........................................153
#68 Get help information online from Microsoft......................................154
#69 Stop Windows from reporting errors ................................................156
#70 Run an older program in Windows XP ..............................................158
#71 Turn back the clock on computer troubles........................................160
#72 Take action when Windows will not start properly............................164
#73 Fix computer problems using the
Help and Support Center................................................................166
#74 Rest easier by backing up your files..................................................168
#75 Restore your peace of mind by restoring backed up files..................172
7
Smart Web Browsing
Task#76 View blocked content on a Web page ..............................................176
#77 E-mail a Web page to a friend ..........................................................177
#78 Sort Web pages you recently visited..................................................178
#79 Keep your Web browsing private......................................................179
#80 Search for text of interest on a Web page ........................................180
#81 Save a picture you see on a Web page..............................................181
#82 Organize your favorite Web pages....................................................182
#83 Surf faster by limiting space for temporary Internet files ..................184
#84 Set up Internet Explorer to use your favorite search engine..............186
#85 Search the Web effectively with Google............................................188
8
Tips and Tricks for E-mail, Instant Messages and Faxes
Task#86 View blocked content in an e-mail message......................................194
#87 Confirm your e-mail has been received ............................................195
#88 Access your Hotmail account in Outlook Express ............................196
#89 Create an eye-catching e-mail ..........................................................200
#90 Stop adding people to your address book automatically ..................201 Ashley Morris ashleym
Brooke Lavery brooke@
#91 Create multiple e-mail signatures......................................................202
Cindy Jones cjones@
#92 Create a shortcut to a person you e-mail regularly............................204 Dylan Dutfield dylan@m
#93 E-mail a picture at lightning speed....................................................206 Eric Foisy ericfoisy@
Fred Smith fredsmith
#94 Send an automatic e-mail reply when on vacation............................208
#95 Print your address book....................................................................212 m>
#96 Remove deleted messages when exiting Outlook Express ................214
#97 Stop Windows Messenger from starting automatically......................215
#98 See and talk to another person over the Internet..............................216
#99 Block people from contacting you in Windows Messenger ..............218
#100 Send a fax from your computer ........................................................220
#101 View faxes on your computer............................................................224