Windows XP Annoyances

Capa
"O'Reilly Media, Inc.", 2003 - 564 páginas

In an ideal world, an operating system would do its work in the background while you did your work in the foreground. In our world, however, operating systems constantly get in the way, and Windows XP is no exception. There hasn't been such a dramatic change in Windows computing since the introduction of Windows 95. Windows XP contains dozens of important new features designed to make your work easier, including improved performance, but also introduces numerous quirks and unaccountable behaviors that are guaranteed to increase your level of perplexity and frustration.

O'Reilly's popular series for troubleshooting Windows comes to the rescue with Windows XP Annoyances. This book is not designed to complain or criticize, but to acknowledge the problems and shortcomings of the operating system in order to overcome them. Complete with a collection of tools and techniques, this book allows users to improve their experience with Windows XP and establish control of the machine--rather than the other way around.

Based on the author's popular Windows Annoyances web site (http://www.annoyances.org), Windows XP Annoyances offers solutions, tips, workarounds and warnings that enable you to both customize and troubleshoot Windows, including:

  • Understanding the Windows Registry, including the use of the Registry Editor and advanced topics such as finding the right Registry Keys and restoring a corrupted registry
  • Customizing the interface beyond Microsoft's intentions, including many undocumented tweaks
  • Mastering Windows built-in networking capabilities, including advanced technologies such as Internet Connection Sharing, Remote Desktop sharing, and virtual private networking
  • Repairing Windows XP now that the DOS safety net is gone
As author David Karp says, "The more you know about a tool you use--specifically, Microsoft Windows XP--the better your day-to-day experience with it will be." Windows XP Annoyances is the intermediate and advanced Windows user's best resource for turning Windows into the user-friendly, customizable interface it was meant to be.

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Índice

Making the Most of Windows XP
1
MS Windows
4
Transition to Windows XP
5
Basic Explorer Coping Skills
10
Working with Explorer
11
Exploring Basic Explorer Settings
12
Force Explorer to Remember Its Own Settings
18
Helpful Explorer Keystrokes
20
Handling Misbehaving Drivers
254
Working with Restore Points
256
Understanding Version Control
257
Software for Your Hardware
258
Resolving Hardware Conflicts
259
The Trials and Tribulations of PlugandPlay
261
Using Multiple Hardware Configurations
263
Which Slots to Use for Internal Devices
264

Convince Explorer to Start with the Folder You Want
21
Handling Files and Folders
23
Take Charge of DragDrop
24
Copy or Move to a Specified Path
27
Make a Duplicate of a File or Folder
29
More Ways to Rename Files
30
Make It Easier to Delete Files
34
How to Delete or Replace InUse Files
37
Fix the Search Tool
40
A Crash Course on File Organization
46
Working with ZIP Files
49
Clean up Windows Shortcuts
51
Regaining Control of the Desktop
52
Dealing with Themes Schemes Styles and Skins
53
Make the Control Panel More Accessible
60
Massaging the Start Menu
64
Refresh the Desktop Without Restarting Windows
72
Customize the Windows Startup Logo
73
The Registry
78
Getting to Know the Registry Editor
79
The Structure of the Registry
80
Values
82
Hives Are for the Bees
86
Backing Up the Registry
87
Registry Tips and Solutions
88
Finding the Right Registry Key
94
Search the Registry Effectively
99
Using INI Files
100
Create an Interface for a Registry Setting
102
Registry Tools
107
Tinkering Techniques
108
Customizing Your Desktop
109
Cleaning Up Desktop Clutter
110
Customizing My Computer and Other System Folders
114
Covering Your Tracks
118
Taming Recent Documents
119
Thinning Out Explorers New Menu
121
Customize the TrayNotification Area
124
The Link Between Documents and Applications
128
Customize Context Menus
129
Understanding File Types
136
Protect Your File Types
142
Customize Context Menus for Drives Folders and Desktop Icons
144
Print Out a Folder Listing
145
Turn File Icons into Thumbnail Previews
146
Disable the Automatic Display of Thumbnails in Certain Folders
148
Turn off the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer
149
Customize Drive and Folder Icons
150
Mirror a Folder with Folder Shortcuts
153
Customize the Places Bar
157
Curb AutoPlay for CDs and DVDs
160
Maximizing Performance
166
Eliminating Software Bottlenecks
167
Tame Mindless Animation and Display Effects
168
Speed Up Menu Responsiveness
172
Speed Up System Startup
173
Speed Up System Shutdown
175
Get the Most Out of Your Games SpeedWise
177
Squeezing Performance Out of Your Hard Disk
179
Choosing the Right Filesystem
180
Advanced NTFS Settings
185
Optimize Virtual Memory and Cache Settings
187
Increasing Disk Space or What to Throw Away
193
Eliminate Unwanted Windows Components
197
FineTuning and Upgrading Hardware Components
198
Monitors
199
Video Cards Display Adapters
202
Motherboards
205
Processors
207
Memory
208
Hard Disks
209
HardDisk Controllers
210
SCSI Controllers
211
CD CDR DVD DVDR Drives and the Like
212
Tape Drives and Removable Cartridge Drives
214
Modems
215
Network Interface Cards NICs
216
Sound Cards
217
Printers
218
Mice and Other Pointing Devices
220
Keyboards
221
The Box and Power Supply
223
Troubleshooting
224
Where to Go from Here
227
Specific Software Issues
228
Error Messages During Startup
230
Programs Run by Windows when It Starts
231
Check Your Drive for Errors with Chkdsk
235
Error Messages and Crashing Applications
239
Closing Hung Applications
241
Programs Commonly Running in the Background
243
Patching Windows with Windows Update
245
What to Do when Windows Wont Shut Down
247
Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware Troubleshooting
250
Looking for a Driver
251
Updating and Verifying Drivers
252
Fixing DeviceSpecific Problems
265
Monitors
266
Processors
267
Memory
268
USB Controllers and Devices
269
Hard Disks and Most Removable Cartridge Drives
270
IDE Controllers
271
CD DVD Drives Recordable and Otherwise
272
Tape Drives
273
Network Interface Cards NICs
275
Printers
276
Scanners and Cameras
277
Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery
278
Quick OnTheFly Backups
279
Back Up Your Entire System
280
Installing Microsoft Backup
282
Tips for a Better Backup
283
Recovering Your System After a Crash
286
Networking and Internetworking
288
Terminology Primer
289
Planning Your Network
292
Configuring Network Connections
296
StepbyStep Procedures
304
Building a PeertoPeer Workgroup
305
Connecting to the Internet
310
Sharing an Internet Connection
316
Fix Your Shared Internet Connection with a New MTU
322
Test Your Throughput
324
Virtual Private Networking
325
Accessing an FTP Site in Explorer
329
Controlling Another Computer Remotely Just Like in the Movies
335
Managing the Nameserver Cache
341
Securing Your System on a Network
343
Closing Back Doors in Windows XP
344
Using the Internet Connection Firewall
345
Scan Your System for Open Ports
350
User Accounts and Administration
353
Managing Users
354
Understanding Permissions
358
Protecting Your Files with Encryption
365
Use the Traditional Log On Dialog Instead of the Welcome Screen
370
Customize the Log On Screen
374
Logging on Automatically
376
Logging in as the Administrator
378
Hiding User Accounts
379
Sharing Files and Printers
381
Sharing Folders
382
Accessing Shared Resources Remotely
384
Sharing Printers
385
Stop Sharing Scheduled Tasks
388
Scripting and Automation
389
Building a Script with VBScript
390
Using Variables to Store and Manipulate Information
391
Giving Your Scripts an Interface with the InputBox and MsgBox Commands
392
Creating Interactive Scripts with Conditional Statements
394
Using Loops Using Loops Using Loops
395
Making Building Blocks with Subroutines and Functions
396
Extending Scripts with Object References
399
Accessing the Registry from Scripts
400
Manipulating Files from Scripts
401
Creating Windows Shortcuts and Internet Shortcuts in Scripts
406
Manipulating Internet Explorer from Scripts
408
Using CommandLine Parameters in Scripts
409
Managing Services with Scripts
411
Writing CGI Scripts for a Web Server
412
Making a Startup Script
416
Deciphering Script Errors
417
Finding a Better Editor
420
Automating Scripts with Scheduled Tasks
421
Wacky Script Ideas
423
Internet Fishtank
425
Smart Phone Dialing
426
Quick SendTo Shortcut Creator
427
Rename Files with Search and Replace
428
Mirror a Folder with Folder Shortcuts
429
Installing Windows XP
432
Installing on a New Clean System
433
Upgrading from a Previous Version of Windows
435
Installing from the Command Prompt
436
Dealing with Potential Problems During Setup
438
Migrating to Windows XP
439
Adjusting Windows XP to Smooth Out the Migration
441
Making Room for Windows
444
Working with Partitions
449
Advanced Topics
460
Creating a Bootup Floppy
465
Activating Windows XP
467
Using the Windows Recovery Console
470
Setting Locator
475
BIOS Settings
509
Command Prompt Crash Course
517
TCPIP Ports
532
Error Messages Blue Screen of Death
534
Index
541
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Acerca do autor (2003)

David A. Karp is the author of twelve power-user books, including the bestselling Windows Annoyances series of books and O'Reilly's eBay Hacks. David's books are available in ten languages, and can be found under the short legs of tables around the world. David is the founder of Annoyances.org, one of the most respected and popular computer help sites on the Interwebs. He writes for PC Magazine, but they're curiously reluctant to publish photos of his bicycle. Notable recognition has come from PC Computing, Windows Magazine, the San Francisco Examiner, and the New York Times. He scored 30.96647% on the Geek Test ( http://www.innergeek.us/ ), earning a rating of "Total Geek." He hopes future revisions of the test reward publishing his score in the backs of computer books. David spends nearly every spare moment with his son.

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