Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed

Paul McFedries

Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed
  • 出版商: SAMS
  • 出版日期: 2005-09-16
  • 售價: $2,170
  • 貴賓價: 9.5 折 $2,062
  • 語言: 英文
  • 頁數: 864
  • 裝訂: Paperback
  • ISBN: 067232833X
  • ISBN-13: 9780672328336

    • 已絕版

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Description:

While what you create using your computer is a unique expression of who you are, how you use your computer probably isn't. Nearly every Windows XP user follows the same Start menu path to launch programs, uses the same standard techniques in programs like Windows Explorer and Outlook Express, and performs the same customizations that don't go much beyond changing the wallpaper. However, there are those of us who qualify as the "post-novice" user, who think that doing things the "official" way is too slow, less efficient and less powerful than there is potential for with Windows XP. Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed will take you beyond the standard-issue default settings and program wizards to shortcuts, new customization techniques, workarounds for common problems, and warnings on how to avoid the pitfalls of Windows XP, including those associated with Service Pack 2. Along the way, you'll learn about all kinds of insider details, undocumented features, powerful tools, and background facts that help put everything about Windows XP into perspective.

 

Table of Contents:

Introduction.

    Who Should Read This Book

    How This Book Is Organized

    Conventions Used in This Book

I. UNLEASHING DAY-TO-DAY WINDOWS XP.

1. Customizing and Troubleshooting the Windows XP Startup.

    The Boot Process, from Power Up to Startup

    Custom Startups with BOOT.INI

    Changing the Default Startup Operating System

    Using the BOOT.INI Switches

    Using the System Configuration Editor to Modify BOOT.INI

    Custom Startups with the Advanced Options Menu

    Useful Windows XP Logon Strategies

    Customizing the Logon

    Setting Logon Policies

    More Logon Registry Tweaks

    Troubleshooting Windows XP Startup

    When to Use the Various Advanced Startup Options

    What to Do If Windows XP Won't Start in Safe Mode

    Troubleshooting Startup Using the System Configuration Utility

    What to Do If Windows XP Still Won't Start

    From Here

2. Exploring Expert File and Folder Techniques.

    Basic File and Folder Chores: The Techniques Used by the Pros

    Selecting Files and Folders

    Making Sense of Windows XP's Rules for Moving and Copying

    Choosing "No to All" When Copying or Moving

    Expert Drag-and-Drop Techniques

    Taking Advantage of the Send To Command

    The Recycle Bin: Deleting and Recovering Files and Folders

    File Maintenance Using the Open and Save As Dialog Boxes

    Powerful Search Techniques for Finding Files

    Reconfiguring the Search Behavior

    Performing a Search

    Searching Faster with the Indexing Service

    Customizing Windows Explorer

    Changing the View

    Viewing Extra Details

    Running Explorer in Full-Screen Mode

    Sorting Files and Folders

    Exploring the View Options

    Moving My Documents

    Customizing the Standard Buttons Toolbar

    Using Windows Explorer's Command-Line Options

    From Here

3. Mastering File Types.

    Understanding File Types

    File Types and File Extensions

    File Types and the Registry

    The File Types Tab: A Front-End for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

    Working with Existing File Types

    Editing a File Type

    Working with File Type Actions

    Example: Opening the Command Prompt in the Current Folder

    Disassociating an Application and an Extension

    Creating a New File Type

    Using Open With to Create a Basic File Type

    Using the File Types Tab to Create a More Advanced File Type

    Associating Two or More Extensions with a Single File Type

    Customizing the New Menu

    Adding File Types to the New Menu

    Deleting File Types from the New Menu

    Customizing Windows XP's Open With List

    Opening a Document with an Unassociated Application

    How the Open With Feature Works

    Removing an Application from a File Type's Open With Menu

    Removing a Program from the Open With List

    Adding a Program to the Open With List

    Disabling the Open With Check Box

    From Here

4. Working with Digital Media.

    Understanding Digital Audio

    Analog-to-Digital Sound Conversion

    A Review of Digital Audio File Formats

    Displaying Your Installed Audio Codecs

    Troubleshooting: Disabling an Audio Codec

    Troubleshooting: Reinstalling an Audio Codec

    Understanding Digital Video

    Understanding Video Compression Schemes

    A Review of Digital Video File Formats

    Reinstalling a Video Codec

    Tips for Working with Windows Media Player

    Playing Media Files

    Setting Windows Media Player's Playback Options

    Copying Music from an Audio CD

    Copying Tracks to a Recordable CD or Device

    Dealing with Digital Media Files

    Getting the Most Out of Digital Media Files and Windows Explorer

    Tips for Working with Digital Media Files

    Creating a Screensaver Using Digital Images

    Customizing Media Folders

    Selecting a Folder Template

    Customizing the Folder Icon

    From Here

5. Installing and Running Applications.

    Practicing Safe Setups

    User Accounts and Installing Programs

    Running Through a Pre-Installation Checklist

    Installing the Application

    Applications and the Registry

    Program Settings

    User Settings

    File Types

    Application-Specific Paths

    Shared DLLs

    Uninstall Settings

    Launching Applications

    Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup

    Running a Program as a Different User

    Creating Application-Specific Paths

    Restricting Program Launches for Users

    Understanding Application Compatibility

    Determining Whether a Program Is Compatible with Windows XP

    Understanding Compatibility Mode

    Scripting Compatibility Layers

    Using Application Compatibility Toolkit

    Using Compatibility Administrator

    From Here

6. Getting the Most Out of User Accounts.

    Understanding Security Groups

    Working with the User Accounts Window

    Working with the User Accounts Dialog Box

    Adding a New User

    Performing Other User Tasks

    Requiring Ctrl+Alt+Delete at Startup

    Working with the Local Users and Groups Snap-In

    Setting Account Policies

    Setting Account Security Policies

    Setting User Rights Policies

    Setting Account Lockout Policies

    Working with Users and Groups from the Command Line

    The NET USER Command

    The NET LOCALGROUP Command

    Creating and Enforcing Bulletproof Passwords

    Creating a Strong Password

    User Account Password Options

    Taking Advantage of Windows XP's Password Policies

    Recovering from a Forgotten Password

    Sharing Your Computer Securely

    From Here

II. UNLEASHING ESSENTIAL WINDOWS XP POWER TOOLS.

7. Using Control Panel, Group Policies, and Tweak UI.

    Operating Control Panel

    Reviewing the Control Panel Icons

    Understanding Control Panel Files

    Easier Access to Control Panel

    Implementing Group Policies with Windows XP

    Working with Group Policies

    Example: Controlling Access to Control Panel

    Tweaking Your System with Tweak UI

    From Here

8. Getting to Know the Windows XP Registry.

    A Synopsis of the Registry

    A Brief History of Configuration Files

    The Registry Puts an End to INI Chaos

    Understanding the Registry Files

    Navigating the Keys Pane

    Understanding Registry Settings

    Getting to Know the Registry's Root Keys

    Understanding Hives and Registry Files

    Keeping the Registry Safe

    Backing Up the Registry

    Saving the Current Registry State with System Restore

    Protecting Keys by Exporting Them to Disk

    Working with Registry Entries

    Changing the Value of a Registry Entry

    Renaming a Key or Setting

    Creating a New Key or Setting

    Deleting a Key or Setting

    Finding Registry Entries

    From Here

9. Programming the Windows Script Host.

    WSH: Your Host for Today's Script

    Scripts and Script Execution

    Running Script Files Directly

    Using WScript for Windows-Based Scripts

    Using CScript for Command-Line Scripts

    Script Properties and .wsh Files

    Programming Objects

    Working with Object Properties

    Working with Object Methods

    Assigning an Object to a Variable

    Working with Object Collections

    Programming the WScript Object

    Displaying Text to the User

    Shutting Down a Script

    Scripting and Automation

    Programming the WshShell Object

    Referencing the WshShell Object

    Displaying Information to the User

    Running Applications

    Working with Shortcuts

    Working with Registry Entries

    Working with Environment Variables

    Programming the WshNetwork Object

    Referencing the WshNetwork Object

    WshNetwork Object Properties

    Mapping Network Printers

    Mapping Network Drives

    Example: Scripting Internet Explorer

    Displaying a Web Page

    Navigating Pages

    Using the InternetExplorer Object's Properties

    Running Through a Sample Script

    From Here

III. UNLEASHING WINDOWS XP CUSTOMIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION.

10. Customizing the Windows XP Interface.

    Customizing the Start Menu for Easier

    Program and Document Launching

    Getting More Favorite Programs on the Start Menu

    Customizing the Internet and E-mail Icons

    Setting Program Access and Defaults

    Pinning a Favorite Program Permanently to the Start Menu

    Streamlining the Start Menu by Converting Links to Menus

    Adding, Moving, and Removing Other Start Menu Icons

    Customizing the Taskbar for Easier Program and Document Launching

    Displaying the Built-In Taskbar Toolbars

    Setting Some Taskbar Toolbar Options

    Putting Taskbar Toolbars to Good Use

    Controlling Taskbar Grouping

    Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies

    Using Screen Space Efficiently

    From Here

11. Tuning Windows XP's Performance.

    Monitoring Performance

    Monitoring Performance with Task Manager

    Monitoring Performance with System Monitor

    Optimizing Startup

    Reducing or Eliminating BIOS Checks

    Reducing the OS Choices Menu Timeout

    Turning Off the Startup Splash Screen

    Upgrading Your Device Drivers

    Using an Automatic Logon

    Reducing or Eliminating Startup Programs

    Using Hibernation Mode

    Configuring the Prefetcher

    Optimizing Applications

    Adding More Memory

    Installing to the Fastest Hard Drive

    Optimizing Application Launching

    Getting the Latest Device Drivers

    Optimizing Windows XP for Programs

    Setting the Program Priority in Task Manager

    Optimizing the Hard Disk

    Examining Hard Drive Performance Specifications

    Performing Hard Drive Maintenance

    Disabling Compression and Encryption

    Turning Off the Indexing Service

    Enabling Write Caching

    Converting FAT16 and FAT32 Partitions to NTFS

    Turning Off 8.3 Filename Creation

    Disabling Last Access Timestamp

    Optimizing Virtual Memory

    Storing the Page File Optimally

    Splitting the Page File

    Customizing the Page File Size

    Watching the Page File Size

    Changing the Paging File's Location and Size

    Defragmenting the Page File

    More Optimization Tricks

    Adjusting Power Options

    Turning Off Fast User Switching

    Reducing the Use of Visual Effects

    From Here

12. Maintaining Your Windows XP System.

    Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors

    Understanding Clusters

    Understanding Lost Clusters

    Understanding Invalid Clusters

    Understanding Cross-Linked Clusters

    Understanding Cycles

    Running the Check Disk GUI

    Running Check Disk from the Command Line

    Checking Free Disk Space

    Deleting Unnecessary Files

    Defragmenting Your Hard Disk

    Running the Disk Defragmenter Tool

    Defragmenting from the Command Line

    Setting System Restore Points

    Backing Up Your Files

    Some Thoughts on Real-World Backups

    Defining a Backup Job

    Running the Automated System Recovery Preparation Wizard

    Checking for Updates and Security Patches

    Checking the Windows Update Website

    Checking for Security Vulnerabilities

    Verifying Digitally Signed Files

    Reviewing Event Viewer Logs

    Setting Up a 10-Step Maintenance Schedule

    From Here

13. Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems.

    Troubleshooting Strategies: Determining the Source of a Problem

    Did You Get an Error Message?

    Does an Error or Warning Appear in the Event Viewer Logs?

    Does an Error Appear in System Information?

    Did the Error Begin with a Past Hardware or Software Change?

    Did You Recently Edit the Registry?

    Did You Recently Change Any Windows Settings?

    Did Windows XP "Spontaneously" Reboot?

    Did You Recently Change Any Application Settings?

    Did You Recently Install a New Program?

    Did You Recently Install a New Device?

    Did You Recently Install an Incompatible Device Driver?

    Did You Recently Apply an Update from Windows Update?

    Did You Recently Install a Windows XP Hotfix or Service Pack?

    General Troubleshooting Tips

    Troubleshooting Using Online Resources

    Recovering from a Problem

    Booting Using the Last Known Good Configuration

    Recovering Using System Restore

    Recovering Using the Recovery Console

    Reinstalling Windows XP

    Recovering Using Automated System Recovery

    From Here

14. Getting the Most Out of Device Manager.

    Understanding Windows XP's Device Support

    Device Support: The Bad Old Days

    Device Support in Windows XP

    Tips and Techniques for Installing Devices

    Installing Plug and Play Devices

    Installing Legacy Devices

    Controlling Driver Signing Options

    Managing Your Hardware with Device Manager

    Controlling the Device Display

    Viewing Device Properties

    Working with Device Drivers

    Uninstalling a Device

    Managing Hardware Profiles

    Working with Device Security Policies

    Troubleshooting Device Problems

    Troubleshooting with Device Manager

    Troubleshooting Device Driver Problems

    Tips for Downloading Device Drivers

    Troubleshooting Resource Conflicts

    From Here

IV. UNLEASHING WINDOWS XP MODEM COMMUNICATIONS.

15. Getting Started with Modem Communications.

    A Modem Communications Primer

    Modems: The Inside Story

    Serial Ports: Communicating One Bit at a Time

    Modem-to-Modem Communications

    Flow Control: The Communications Traffic Cop

    Data Bits: The Crux of the Matter

    Start and Stop Bits: Bookends for Your Data

    Parity: A Crude Error Check

    Terminal Emulation: Fitting in with the Online World

    File Transfers: A Matter of Protocol

    Configuring Serial Ports

    Installing and Configuring a Modem

    Installing a Modem

    Working with Different Dialing Locations

    Modifying the Modem's General Properties

    Modifying the Modem's Advanced Properties

    Testing the Modem

    From Here

16. Putting Your Modem to Work.

    Getting Your Modem to Dial Voice Calls for You

    Placing a Voice Call

    Configuring Windows Firewall to Allow Incoming Internet Calls

    Placing an Internet or Network Call

    Setting Phone Dialer's Options

    Quick Connections with Speed Dial

    Using HyperTerminal for Modem-to-Modem Connections

    Creating a New HyperTerminal Connection

    Connecting to a Remote System

    Performing File Transfers

    Disconnecting from the Remote System

    Connecting to Another Computer

    Entering AT Commands in HyperTerminal

    Sending and Receiving Faxes

    Installing the Fax Service

    Starting the Fax Console

    Configuring the Fax Service

    Examining the Fax Console

    Sending a Fax

    Working with Fax Cover Pages

    Receiving Faxes

    Remote Collaboration with Microsoft NetMeeting

    Configuring NetMeeting

    Placing NetMeeting Calls

    Exchanging Files in NetMeeting

    Using the Chat Feature

    Using the Whiteboard

    Sharing Programs

    Setting NetMeeting Options

    From Here

V. UNLEASHING WINDOWS XP FOR THE INTERNET.

17. Implementing TCP/IP for Internet Connections.

    Understanding TCP/IP

    What Is TCP/IP?

    Understanding IP

    Understanding TCP

    Installing and Configuring TCP/IP

    Installing the TCP/IP Protocol

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