Windows® 2000 Secrets® [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Brian Livingston (Author), Bruce Brown (Author), Bruce Kratofil (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764534130 | ISBN-13: 978-0764534133 | Publication Date: February 29, 2000 | Edition: 1

Windows 2000 Secrets is the ultimate resource guide for accessing hidden techniques and undocumented features within Windows 2000.

With over 800 pages, plus a bonus CD-ROM on how to boost productivity within this revolutionary new operating system, Windows 2000 Secrets provides eye-opening step-by-step procedures, insider advice, and time saving to help the advanced user address the following topics. . .

• Dual-boot systems
• Plug-and-play
• Power management features
• Internet connectivity
• Advanced control panel techniques
• Security and performance management with MMC sanp-ins
• Connecting to a Windows, UNIX, or Novell network

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Publishers of computer books love to boast about the secrets their books contain. The only thing they like better is to tout the number of tips and time-saving shortcuts their authors share. All too often, the secrets and tips are obvious and semi-obvious things that almost anyone could figure out through experimentation and a scan of the manufacturer's manual. In contrast to a lot of its shelf-mates, the title of Windows 2000 Secrets is not misleading. This book really does contain a lot of information about generally undocumented and honestly helpful aspects of Windows 2000 Professional. In addition to a good deal of straight documentation of surface features, you'll find explanations of many of Windows' back doors, secret passageways, and false bookcases.

A typical section explains how to convert a FAT or FAT32 file system to NTFS--that's the sort of thing you'd find in any Windows 2000 book. However, the authors of this book call the reader's attention to a little-known switch (which you can invoke when running the conversion program) that resolves many filename problems. Other secrets include using the Generic/Text printer driver to convert Web pages to plain text, editing dial-up connection settings manually, and even using a secret feature to win at Minesweeper every time. Unsupported tools, such as TweakUI, get coverage too, and the book's full text appears on the companion CD-ROM to speed searches. --David Wall

Topics covered: Windows 2000 Professional for power users. Covers all areas of the operating system, including the user interface, file management tools, users, Internet connectivity via modems, and basic local area networking.

From the Back Cover

Windows^® 2000 secrets^® Boost Performance with the Best-Kept Secrets in the Business Jam-packed with step-by-step procedures, insider advice, and time-saving shortcuts, this unique guide helps you make the most of all of the great new features in Windows 2000, from plug-and-play support to improved network connectivity. Written by three Windows pros, Windows 2000 Secrets is all you need to unleash the hidden power of this revolutionary operating system. Harness the Secrets of Windows 2000

• Insider installation tricks, including dual-boot systems
• The ins and outs of modifying menus and editing file types
• Unusual uses for the usual applets, including how to cheat at Minesweeper
• Indispensable tips for configuring modems and com ports
• The bottom line on the new plug-and-play and power management features
• Advanced techniques for taking control of the Control Panel
• The inside scoop on managing security and performance with MMC snap-ins
• The things no one else tells you about the Registry
• Neat tricks for printers plus tips on fonts, including the new Unicode standard
• Little-known facts about connecting to a Windows, Unix, or Novell network

Fully searchable electronic version of the book on CD-ROM

• Pop in the CD-ROM for the ultimate power user's online help system!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 744 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764534130
• ISBN-13: 978-0764534133
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,732,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The target audience for this book is NOT advanced users, May 26, 2000

By 

Thomas - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows® 2000 Secrets® (Paperback)

The book itself is OK for beginners or average users. A lot of content in the book is redundant with the online documentation or simply obvious and things like how to launch the registry editor to make a change are explained OVER and OVER again. Once is enough! Hardly for advanced users. Some undocumented registry keys are mentioned, but those can be also found by a quick search on the internet. Screenshots are outdated with beta-version content and some other documentation is outright wrong because it got changed in major ways between the time the book has been written and Windows 2000 got finally released. The book is a typical example of "take a lot of screenshots and fill the book with lots of redundant help available elsewhere, put here and there some new and good content and make it appear a big deal. Advanced NT folks will be rather disappointed.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No Secrets, June 7, 2001

By 

Hugh K. Boyd - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows® 2000 Secrets® (Paperback)

If all you are looking for is a very high-level view of Windows 2000 then this book may be OK. But if you want a detailed look at the system, there are much better books available at comparable prices.

The title is a misnomer -- there are no secrets to be found here!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Deeply hidden secret, April 27, 2000

By 

Bert R. Estlow (Jupiter, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows® 2000 Secrets® (Paperback)

The book itself is fine. Ironically, the CD included cannot be read by my Windows 2000 system and there is no information in the book regarding this problem and nowhere to go for needed help.