Special Edition: Using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
reviewed by Rick Fischer
Unless you've just discovered home computers, you've probably seen the thick
Que books with black covers.
All start with the word "Using." Just having that book in plain sight
suggests that your opinion on computers
matters is not to be taken lightly.
It has another very useful purpose. When people come to you looking for answers
- as I'm sure they do - all
you need to say is "It's in here. Why don't you have a look and see what
it says."
It would be tedious to walk you through each of the chapters. There are six
sections and 30 chapters - 958
pages of text, pictures and tables. Instead, I selected four areas I wanted
to learn more about. In brief, here's
what I learned.
Compatibility issues
Here's the scoop. It's all in chapter 2. For hardware you have three places
you can look. One, go to the
hardware compatibility list (HCL) at www.microsoft.com/hcl. Do this if you are
thinking about upgrading your
current system. You'll need to know what you own in order to use the HCL.
Second, run the XP compatibility tool from the XP CD. That means you bought
XP or are borrowing the CD
to use this function. It will look at your system and tell you what won't work
and what is suspect.
Third, you can run the XP install. It will run the compatibility check as part
of it install procedures.
Rule of thumb: if the program or hardware runs (or claims to run) with Windows
2000, it should run with XP.
Corollary: if there is a Windows 2000 driver, it will probably work with XP.
Programs (except certain utilities) designed for Windows 95 - Me, NT 4 and 2000
will probably work with
XP.The utilities include: utilities like Norton Utilities, antivirus programs
and system programs, e.g., Norton
System Works. Check with the program vendor to be sure. With XP's compatibility
modes, it can "fake out
the offending application" making it believe it is running on the operating
system it is comfortable with.
Windows XP will block a program from running before it can do any damage.
Go Back Feature
This is called the "system restore" feature. It is also indexed under
"last known good configuration." I learned
that system restore automatically monitors my system and notes key settings
daily, at program installation
(using InstallShield or Windows Installer) and when I update device drivers,
among other times. I learned that
I can create a restore point any time I want manually - like before I change
my system.
I can access the System Restore utility directly or click the System Restore
tab of the System applet. This
where I can make selections about how much memory is reserved for this function.
To restore, select the restore Wizard: start ' programs ' accessories ' system
tools. Follow instructions.
Make XP Look Like Windows 98
This is one of the functions listed on the inside front cover. It gives the
function description in plain language and
tells you where to look. You'll find the answer under the title "GUI: To
Tweak or Not to Tweak." I'm told that
I qualify for "Geek-of-the-Year" since I know what the title means.
Am I really a Geek?
The authors like XP's new look and think that's the way to go. Nonetheless,
they tell us how to select the
"classic look." Right click over the Start button ' select the Properties
command (from pop-up menu ' See the
Start Menu tab and options to select the Classic Start Menu.
I agree with the authors, but I wanted to see how to do it.
Faxing from within XP
The index says it starts on page 195. In fact, the discussion on faxing in XP
starts on page 192. I learn that built
in to XP is a complete Fax utility - send, receive, address book, cover page.
Of course, I will need a fax
modem. In this section we do see check lists for setting up the cover sheet
and such. You'll use the Fax
Configuration Wizard: Start ' Programs ' Accessories ' Communications ' Fax
' Fax Configuration Wizard.
We get normal operations and a section on troubleshooting. Looks like it's all
here.
Using Windows XP is encyclopedic in scope and approach. You will find fewer
check lists than in so-called
"guide" books. But, the functions are covered in great detail. Sometimes,
nothing else will do.
Using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition by Robert Cowart and Brian Knittel.
2002. Que. 958 pages.
$45. Includes instructional CD-ROM: 45 minutes of video from brainsville.com.
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