Books & Videos

Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks, 2nd Edition

Tips, Secrets and Solutions

By David Karp

Publisher: O'Reilly Media

Release Date: February 2009

Pages: 672

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In an ideal world, an operating system would do its job in the background, while you did yours in the foreground. In reality, though, operating systems often get in the way, fouling up the process at the most inopportune times. And Windows XP is no exception. O'Reilly's popular series for customizing and troubleshooting Windows once again comes to the rescue with Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks. Offering dozens of on-target tips, workarounds, and warnings, Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks allows users to improve their overall experience with the Windows XP operating system in every way possible. You'll learn how to use the Registry Editor; how to customize the interface beyond Microsoft's own intentions; and how to master Windows' built-in networking capabilities, including advanced technologies such as Internet Connection sharing, Remote Desktop sharing, and virtual private networking. And now, with this updated edition, you can also expect detailed coverage of the newly released Service Pack 2 (SP2) technology. SP2 is designed to make your work with the Windows XP operating system even easier and safer by providing superior protection against viruses, hackers, and worms. Among the core SP2 components covered in Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks are Windows Firewall, Pop-up Blocker for Internet Explorer, and the new Windows Security Center. David Karp, veteran author of several titles in the Windows Annoyances series, is behind the wheel of this comprehensive guide, as well. Karp points out numerous SP2-related quirks and unaccountable behaviors that are guaranteed to increase your level of perplexity and frustration. By recognizing these shortcomings, Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks arms you with the knowledge to overcome them. Karp leaves no stone unturned in providing the ultimate resource for the ever-expanding Windows XP market. As a result, you'll be able to seize complete control of the Windows XP operating system--instead of the other way around.

Chapter 1 Getting Started with Windows XP
1. A Brief History of Time, Re: MS Windows
2. Windows Editions and Service Packs
3. What You Get with Windows XP
4. Installing Windows XP
5. Migrating to Windows XP
Chapter 2 Basic Explorer Coping Skills
1. Working with Explorer
2. Handling Files and Folders
3. Customizing the Interface
Chapter 3 The Registry
1. The Registry Editor
2. The Structure of the Registry
3. Registry Procedures
Chapter 4 Tinkering Techniques
1. Customizing Your Desktop
2. Covering Your Tracks
3. File Types: The Link Between Documents and Applications
4. Cool Things You Can Do with Drives and Folders
Chapter 5 Maximizing Performance
1. Trimming the Fat
2. Hard Disk
3. System Hardware
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
1. General Troubleshooting Techniques
2. Specific Software Issues
3. Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware Troubleshooting
4. Fixing Device-Specific Problems
5. Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery
Chapter 7 Networking andGoing Wireless
1. Getting Started with Networking
2. Build a Workgroup (Local Area Network)
3. Connect to the Internet
4. Stuff You Can Do with a Network
5. Go Wireless
6. Securing Your System on a Network
Chapter 8 User Accounts and Administration
1. Managing Users
2. Permissions and Security
3. Logon Options
4. Sharing Files and Printers
Chapter 9 Scripting and Automation
1. Building a Script with VBScript
2. Object References
3. Development Tips
4. Wacky Script Ideas
Chapter 10 The Command Prompt
1. DOS Commands
2. Batch Files: The Other Way to Do It
3. Command Prompt Integration

Appendix A Setting Locator
1. Alphabetical Listing of All Windows XP Settings
Appendix B BIOS Settings
Appendix C TCP/IP Ports
Appendix D Class IDs (CLSIDs) of System Objects
Colophon

Books & Videos

Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks, 2nd Edition

Tips, Secrets and Solutions

Read on O'Reilly Online Learning with a 10-day trial

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started with Windows XP

A Brief History of Time, Re: MS Windows

Windows Editions and Service Packs

What You Get with Windows XP

Installing Windows XP

Migrating to Windows XP

Chapter 2 Basic Explorer Coping Skills

Working with Explorer

Handling Files and Folders

Customizing the Interface

Chapter 3 The Registry

The Registry Editor

The Structure of the Registry

Registry Procedures

Chapter 4 Tinkering Techniques

Customizing Your Desktop

Covering Your Tracks

File Types: The Link Between Documents and Applications

Cool Things You Can Do with Drives and Folders

Chapter 5 Maximizing Performance

Trimming the Fat

Hard Disk

System Hardware

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

General Troubleshooting Techniques

Specific Software Issues

Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware Troubleshooting

Fixing Device-Specific Problems

Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery

Chapter 7 Networking andGoing Wireless

Getting Started with Networking

Build a Workgroup (Local Area Network)

Connect to the Internet

Stuff You Can Do with a Network

Go Wireless

Securing Your System on a Network

Chapter 8 User Accounts and Administration

Managing Users

Permissions and Security

Logon Options

Sharing Files and Printers

Chapter 9 Scripting and Automation

Building a Script with VBScript

Object References

Development Tips

Wacky Script Ideas

Chapter 10 The Command Prompt

DOS Commands

Batch Files: The Other Way to Do It

Command Prompt Integration

Appendix A Setting Locator

Alphabetical Listing of All Windows XP Settings

Appendix B BIOS Settings

Appendix C TCP/IP Ports

Appendix D Class IDs (CLSIDs) of System Objects

Colophon