PC Magazine Windows XP Solutions [Paperback]

Neil Randall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0471747521 | ISBN-13: 978-0471747529 | Edition: 2

• From the #1 source for computing information, trusted by more than six million readers worldwide
• Shows Windows users how to turn off features they don't want, clean up the Registry after an uninstall, safely remove old drivers, use the Recovery Console after a crash, and much more
• Packed with authoritative advice and instruction, this latest edition includes more than 100 pages of new coverage and provides insight and suggestions for hundreds of third party tools and software for Windows XP
• New sections are the result of feedback from readers who asked for additional coverage of security, fighting spyware, disaster recovery, and more

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You wanted more Windows XP solutions.
Here they are

PC Magazine's Neil Randall heard you when you asked for more about Windows XP security, fighting spy- ware, and surviving a crash. This second edition includes more than 100 pages of new information about protecting your system, preventing problems, and rescuing data if something does go wrong. It also helps you optimize your Internet experience, understand permissions and policies, maximize Windows XP for small business use, and more, with recommendations for helpful utilities in every section.

Your questions find answers here
Neil Randall can tell you how to do everything with Windows XP— work with its programs, build a network, add hardware and software, make Windows XP the center of your Internet activity, and fix every major problem. And it's all right here.

Solutions for a safer, more efficient Windows XP

• Install firewalls and use anti-spyware and antivirus software
• Dodge disaster by knowing how to use System Restore
• Discover Windows' remote-control programs
• Explore creative and entertainment tools
• Customize the interface to meet your needs
• Add and remove hardware and software
• Understand Group Policy settings and learn how to protect your files
• Use XP's built-in support to set up a wireless network

About the Author

Neil Randall is currently a Contributing Editor for PC Magazine and arguably the world's most knowledgeable expert on Microsoft Windows. He has tested every version since Windows 95, and shares his experience freely in PC Magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 552 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (November 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471747521
• ISBN-13: 978-0471747529
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,565,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning lots of new tricks, May 18, 2004

By 

Dave (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: PC Magazine Windows XP Solutions (Paperback)

I've had the book for a couple of weeks now, and I keep learning new tricks. Most recently the book taught me how to create screen capture movies that I can e-mail to others. I'm using this trick mostly to create "here's how you do this" videos for my parents, which is a lot easier than trying to talk them through the computer challenge du jour over the phone.

Probably the next most useful sections of the book for me have been the parts covering User Profile managment. I've never found those tasks to be intuitive in WinXP, and the book does a great job of showing me how I can finally get some benefit out of Profiles, rather than the headaches they've been giving me since I got WinXP.

The book has other chapters on these topics, too:
*Working With Digital Cameras
*Making Videos
*Recording & Ripping Music
*Remote Control of Windows XP via the internet
*Using Windows XP as an Internet Server

Plus, of course, chapters on security, backups, installing hardware/software, and the other sorts of topics you'd expect from PC Magazine.

66 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chapter 11 saved me a headache, May 17, 2004

By 

hang10web (Midwest, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PC Magazine Windows XP Solutions (Paperback)

One of my Windows XP machines got completely corrupted and would not boot - even in safe mode. Normally I would wipe the drive and move on with a fresh install, but in this case, I needed to recover several files - including my recent honeymoon photos.

I had visions of booting with a recovery floppy and drilling down DOS directories - copying one file at a time to the floppy disk.

Chapter 11 had exactly the solution I needed - create a new partition, install Win XP fresh, and recover the files from the old partition.

Highly recommended.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Having it my Way, August 18, 2004

By 

S. Brady (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PC Magazine Windows XP Solutions (Paperback)

Excellent Book! Neil Randall is obviously well versed in all Windows platforms as well as Mac. Extolls Windows XP virtues and points to it's weaknesses. The premise of this book is: "Having it my Way". He steps through Windows explaining how to do things, many of which are deeply hidden. Not a novice book, certainly, but filled with step by step instruction with pictures for a clear and precise understanding.
In my years working in computers, studying operating systems, including Mac, I found this book to be the simplest to understand while delving deep into what Windows XP has to offer and how to use all the options. In addition safety measures are recommended, third party software is discussed and web links provided.
Highly recommend this book to learn Windows XP.