Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition [Paperback]

Preston Gralla (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0596009186 | ISBN-13: 978-0596009182 | Publication Date: March 2, 2005 | Edition: Second Edition

A smart collection of insider tips and tricks, Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition covers the XP operating system from start to finish. Among the multitude of topics addressed, this must-have resource includes extensive coverage of hot-button issues such as:

• security
• web browsing
• controlling the control panel
• removing uninstallable XP components
• pop-up ads

You'll also find timesaving hacks for file distribution; digital media, such as iTunes; and high-visibility web software, services, and exploits that have emerged since the book's last edition. Each hack in the book can be read easily in just a few minutes, saving countless hours of searching for the right answer.

Now completely revised and updated to cover Service Pack 2 (SP2), the second edition of this bestseller carefully breaks down the new features that come with SP2, including IE pop-up blocker, Windows Firewall, and the new wireless client.

Written by Preston Gralla, the compact and affordable Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition provides direct, hands-on solutions that can be applied to the challenges facing XP beginners, as well as the more experienced power user. Each year, Windows XP is pre-installed on 90 million PCs worldwide, making it the world's most popular operating system.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Preston Gralla, the author of more than 20 books, is also a freelance journalist and columnist. He has written for major national newspapers and magazines, including PC Magazine, Computerworld, the Los Angeles Times, the Dallas Morning News (where he was the technology columnist), USA Today and several others. A well-known technology expert, Preston has also appeared on many TV and radio programs and networks, including CNN, MSNBC and NPR. In addition, he's won a number of awards for his writing, including for "Best Feature in a Computer Magazine" from the Computer Press Association. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; Second Edition edition (March 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596009186
• ISBN-13: 978-0596009182
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #831,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Revised for Service Pack 2 -- Packs a Punch to Windows XP, April 6, 2005

By 

Robert L. Stinnett (Boonville, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition (Paperback)

Users of Microsoft Windows XP often want to push the OS to its limits. Unfortunately, out of the shrink-wrap XP doesn't offer much in the way of tweaks, nor does it fully expose the power that lays underneath its graphical interface. In this revised Windows XP Hacks book from O'Reilly, you will find a wealth of information on how to tune and trick-out Windows XP (with and without SP2) and take the OS to new levels of power and performance.

The book is organized by category, such as Networking and System Peformance, and then broken down into individual "hacks" as they are called that guide you through tweaking a specific component. Often, the hacks cross-reference each other so if you are interested in doing one thing, you can easily find related topics to that change or tweak. In traditional O'Reilly fashion, each hack is also prefaced with a difficulty ranking -- so you can start out tackling the easy stuff and move up the ladder as you feel more comfortable.

The author does a good job of covering the new features, and significant changes, to Windows XP Service Pack 2. Although some may think of SP2 as merely a minor release, there are many things that have changed since the first edition of this book and they are all covered in detailed throughout the book. In addition, the author also provides a good background on each topic covered -- so you know exactly what the hack does, and why you might want to apply it.

The book is geared towards the more advanced user in mind; be warned upfront that in many places you will be asked to edit the system registry directly. However, as stated above, a difficult level will help guide novice users through some of the easier changes they can make. It is still worthwhile to note though that a new computer user, or one with limited comfort going "under the hood" may find this book more than they wish to swallow.

The only drawback to the book is the author does have a very slight occassional habit of getting off-track about Windows XP. In several hacks, she devotes quite a few pages to talking about Firefox and other items that are unrelated to the XP Operating System itself. However, some readers may find this beneficial and look at it as a way to extend the OS; while those not interested can simply skip over the hack.

Altogether, a good book that provides the blueprint for tweaking and changing Windows XP to your liking. The book introduces enough new material and concepts that readers of the first Windows XP Hacks book will find enough changed material to make room on their bookshelf for this newly released edition.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for 'Dummies'..., December 5, 2005

By 

Al C. (Vermont) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition (Paperback)

This is a great book for someone like myself who doesn't need a intro level book explaining how to open folders and send E-mail but is not an XP expert. The chapters on editing the registry and debugging local networks are worth the price of the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference book, March 8, 2008

By 

S. R. Schnur "srschnur" (ME USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition (Paperback)

Some books about XP only tell a reader things he has probably figured out on his own, but this book will actually take you to the registry to fix problems. For this reason it is worth a good review. I only wish that the registry introduction were a tad more step by step.