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Contents Listing

Preface
1. Making the Most of Windows XP
What IS an Annoyance?
A Brief History of Time, Re: MS Windows
Transition to Windows XP
2. Basic Explorer Coping Skills
Working with Explorer
Exploring Basic Explorer Settings
Force Explorer to Remember Its Own Settings
Helpful Explorer Keystrokes
Convince Explorer to Start with the Folder You Want
Handling Files and Folders
Take Charge of Drag-Drop
Copy or Move to a Specified Path
Make a Duplicate of a File or Folder
More Ways to Rename Files
Make It Easier to Delete Files
How to Delete or Replace In-Use Files
Fix the Search Tool
A Crash Course on File Organization
Working with ZIP Files
Clean up Windows Shortcuts
Regaining Control of the Desktop
Dealing with Themes, Schemes, Styles, and Skins
Make the Control Panel More Accessible
Massaging the Start Menu
Refresh the Desktop Without Restarting Windows
Customize the Windows Startup Logo
3. The Registry
Getting to Know the Registry Editor
The Structure of the Registry
The Meat of the Registry: Values
Hives Are for the Bees
Backing Up the Registry
Registry Tips and Solutions
Using Registry Patches
Finding the Right Registry Key
Search the Registry Effectively
Using INI Files
Create an Interface for a Registry Setting
Registry Tools
4. Tinkering Techniques
Customizing Your Desktop
Cleaning Up Desktop Clutter
Customizing My Computer and Other System Folders
Covering Your Tracks
Taming Recent Documents
Thinning Out Explorer's New Menu
Customize the Tray/Notification Area
File Types: The Link Between Documents and Applications
Customize Context Menus
Understanding File Types
Protect Your File Types
Customize Context Menus for Drives, Folders, and Desktop Icons
Print Out a Folder Listing
Turn File Icons into Thumbnail Previews
Disable the Automatic Display of Thumbnails in Certain Folders
Turn off the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer
Cool Things You Can Do with Drives and Folders
Customize Drive and Folder Icons
Mirror a Folder with Folder Shortcuts
Customize the Places Bar
Curb AutoPlay for CDs and DVDs
5. Maximizing Performance
Eliminating Software Bottlenecks
Tame Mindless Animation and Display Effects
Speed Up Menu Responsiveness
Speed Up System Startup
Speed Up System Shutdown
Get the Most Out of Your Games, Speed-Wise
Squeezing Performance Out of Your Hard Disk
A Defragmentation Crash-Course
Choosing the Right Filesystem
Advanced NTFS Settings
Optimize Virtual Memory and Cache Settings
Increasing Disk Space (or What to Throw Away)
Eliminate Unwanted Windows Components
Fine-Tuning and Upgrading Hardware Components
Monitors
Video Cards (Display Adapters)
Motherboards
Processors
Memory
Hard Disks
Hard-Disk Controllers
SCSI Controllers
CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R Drives, and the Like
Tape Drives and Removable Cartridge Drives
Modems
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
Sound Cards
Printers
Mice and Other Pointing Devices
Keyboards
The Box and Power Supply
6. Troubleshooting
General Troubleshooting Techniques
Where to Go from Here
Specific Software Issues
What to Do when Windows Won't Start
Error Messages During Startup
Programs Run by Windows when It Starts
Check Your Drive for Errors with Chkdsk
Error Messages and Crashing Applications
Closing Hung Applications
Programs Commonly Running in the Background
Patching Windows with Windows Update
What to Do when Windows Won't Shut Down
Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware Troubleshooting
Looking for a Driver
Updating and Verifying Drivers
Handling Misbehaving Drivers
Working with Restore Points
Understanding Version Control
Firmware: Software for Your Hardware
Resolving Hardware Conflicts
The Trials and Tribulations of Plug-and-Play
Using Multiple Hardware Configurations
Which Slots to Use for Internal Devices
Fixing Device-Specific Problems
Video Cards (Display Adapters)
Monitors
Motherboards
Processors
Memory
USB Controllers and Devices
Hard Disks and Most Removable Cartridge Drives
IDE Controllers
SCSI Controllers
CD & DVD Drives, Recordable and Otherwise
Tape Drives
Modems
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
Sound Cards
Printers
Scanners and Cameras
Keyboards
Power Supplies
Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery
Quick, On-The-Fly Backups
Back Up Your Entire System
Installing Microsoft Backup
Tips for a Better Backup
Recovering Your System After a Crash
Protecting Your Hardware
7. Networking and Internetworking
Getting Started with Networking
Terminology Primer
Planning Your Network
Configuring Network Connections
Step-by-Step Procedures
Building a Peer-to-Peer Workgroup
Connecting to the Internet
Sharing an Internet Connection
Fix Your Shared Internet Connection with a New MTU
Test Your Throughput
Virtual Private Networking
Accessing an FTP Site in Explorer
Controlling Another Computer Remotely (Just Like in the Movies)
Managing the Nameserver Cache
Securing Your System on a Network
Closing Back Doors in Windows XP
Using the Internet Connection Firewall
Scan Your System for Open Ports
8. User Accounts and Administration
Managing Users
Understanding Permissions
Protecting Your Files with Encryption
Use the Traditional Log On Dialog Instead of the Welcome Screen
Customize the Welcome Screen
Customize the Log On Screen
Logging on Automatically
Logging in as the Administrator
Hiding User Accounts
Working with User Folders
Sharing Files and Printers
Sharing Folders
Accessing Shared Resources Remotely
Sharing Printers
Stop Sharing Scheduled Tasks
9. Scripting and Automation
Building a Script with VBScript
Using Variables to Store and Manipulate Information
Giving Your Scripts an Interface with the InputBox and MsgBox Commands
Creating Interactive Scripts with Conditional Statements
Using Loops, Using Loops, Using Loops
Making Building Blocks with Subroutines and Functions
Extending Scripts with Object References
Running Applications from Scripts
Accessing the Registry from Scripts
Manipulating Files from Scripts
Creating Windows Shortcuts and Internet Shortcuts in Scripts
Networking with Scripts
Manipulating Internet Explorer from Scripts
Using Command-Line Parameters in Scripts
Managing Services with Scripts
Writing CGI Scripts for a Web Server
Making a Startup Script
Deciphering Script Errors
Finding a Better Editor
Further Study
Automating Scripts with Scheduled Tasks
Wacky Script Ideas
Quick Floppy Backup Tool
Internet Fishtank
Smart Phone Dialing
Quick SendTo Shortcut Creator
Rename Files with Search and Replace
Mirror a Folder with Folder Shortcuts
10. Installing Windows XP
Installing the Operating System
Installing on a New (Clean) System
Upgrading from a Previous Version of Windows
Installing from the Command Prompt
Reinstalling Windows XP
Dealing with Potential Problems During Setup
Migrating to Windows XP
Casualties of the Upgrade
Adjusting Windows XP to Smooth Out the Migration
Making Room for Windows
Transfer Windows to Another Hard Disk or System
Working with Partitions
Advanced Topics
Setting Up a Dual-Boot System
Creating a Bootup Floppy
Activating Windows XP
Using the Windows Recovery Console
A. Setting Locator
B. BIOS Settings
C. Command Prompt Crash Course
D. TCP/IP Ports
E. Error Messages (Blue Screen of Death)