Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows XP in 24 Hours

By Greg Perry

• Table of Contents
  • Copyright
  • About the Author
  • Acknowledgments
  • Tell Us What You Think!
  • Introduction
  • Part I: Wake Up with Windows XP
  • Hour 1. Taking a Bird's-Eye Look at Windows XP
  • Hour 2. Getting Started with Windows XP
  • Hour 3. Managing the Windows XP Interface
  • Part II: Morning Windows Desktop Exploration
  • Hour 4. Working with the My Computer Window
  • Hour 5. Navigating Files with Windows Explorer
  • Hour 6. Calling for Help
  • Hour 7. Improving Your Windows Desktop Experience
  • Part III: Early Afternoon Windows Exploration
  • Hour 8. Installing Programs with Windows XP
  • Hour 9. Finding Files, Folders, and Friends
  • Hour 10. Using the Desktop Accessories
  • Part IV: Late Afternoon Internet Integration
  • Hour 11. Surfing the Web with Internet Explorer
  • Hour 12. Tying Windows into the Web
  • Hour 13. Networking with Windows XP
  • Hour 14. Managing E-mail and Newsgroups with Outlook Express
  • Part V: An Evening with Advanced Windows
  • Hour 15. Exploring Your Hardware Interface
    • Plug and Play
    • Windows Offers Hardware Help
    • Setting Up a Second PC
    • Summary
    • Q&A
    • Workshop
  • Hour 16. Understanding Printing and Fonts
  • Hour 17. Using Windows on the Road
  • Hour 18. Giving Windows XP a Tune-Up
  • Hour 19. Managing Your Hard Drives
  • Hour 20. Tinkering with the Advanced System Tools
  • Part VI: Having Fun at Nighttime
  • Hour 21. Using Media Player
  • Hour 22. Picturing Windows XP Graphics
  • Hour 23. Making Movies with Windows XP
  • Hour 24. Advanced Windows XP Tips
  • Part VII: Appendixes
  • Appendix A. Differences Between the Windows Home and Professional Edition
  • Appendix B. Glossary
  • Appendix C. Answers to Quizzes

Q&A

1. How do I know whether I have Plug and Play?

   You have Windows XP, which means that installing hardware should be easier than with previous operating systems and earlier versions of Windows. Perhaps the best way to see whether you have Plug and Play is to plug the next device you get for your computer into the computer, power on your machine, and see what happens. Of course, you should read the new hardware's installation instructions to learn the correct way to install the device.

   If you turn on your computer and the computer responds to the new device properly, you have, for all intents and purposes, all the plug-and-play compatibility you need. You have Plug and Play, at least, for that one device. Just because Windows and your BIOS are compatible with Plug and Play, however, does not mean that the hardware you install will also be compatible with Plug and Play.

2. I don't want to buy and install a network in my house, but how do I easily connect my laptop to my desktop to share files between them?

   Use Windows XP's direct cable connection. Connect a parallel cable to both parallel ports. Your laptop will be able to access the desktop's shared files. As simple as the direct cable connection is, if your laptop contains an infrared port, you'll learn in Hour 18 how to share files between the laptop and another device without cables.

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