Windows XP for Dummies Quick Reference [Plastic Comb]

Greg Harvey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764508970 | ISBN-13: 978-0764508974 | Publication Date: September 15, 2001

XP (short for experience) is a powerful version of Microsoft Windows. Whether you use Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional, you'll get colorful graphics and pumped up computing capability. With Windows XP For Dummies Quick Reference at your side, you'll be a Windows wonder in no time.

This handy guide is right for you if

• You just got a new computer with Windows XP preinstalled and don't know what to do with it
• Your computer crashes a lot when using an older version of Windows (it may be time to upgrade)
• You already use Windows XP and want to know more about its advanced features
• You want quick, accessible answers to questions about Windows XP

Windows XP offers exciting improvements over earlier versions; new features include remote assistance, CD-burning capability, a built-in firewall, and multiple-user accounts. Figuring out how to work all those cool, new features is easy with Windows XP For Dummies Quick Reference. Here's a sampling of the easy-to-access information that you'll find in this guide:

• Customizing your Windows desktop
• Saving music with Windows media Player
• Troubleshooting annoying XP problems
• Using the Task Manager like a pro
• Browsing the Web
• Mastering Windows basics such as renaming or deleting files and folders
• Controlling desktop icons, adding and removing software and printers
• Creating sound files
• Using Windows Update to get the latest XP updates and bug fixes from Microsoft

Author Greg Harvey has written numerous technical books, including the best-selling Excel 2003 For Dummies and Microsoft Windows XP Millennium Edition For Dummies Quick Reference. 

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Fast answers to frequently asked questions

Windows XP essentials at your fingertips! If you like your answers quick and your information up-to-date, look no further. With this concise, superbly organized reference, you get authoritative, cut-to-the-chase advice on how to make the most of Windows XP. This handy little guide is packed with tips on the many new Windows features and enhancements - from the revamped interface and the new music search feature to Internet Explorer 6 and Media Player 8 - so you can start getting more done and having more fun right away.

The Dummies Way
* Concise, "get it done" information
* Helpful alphabetical organization
* Convenient lay-flat binding
* Icons and other navigational aids
* A dash of humor and fun
Get smart! www.dummies.com

About the Author

About the Author Greg Harvey, the author of more than 50 computer books, has had a long career of teaching business people the use of IBM PC, Windows, and Macintosh software application programs. From 1983 to 1988, he conducted hands-on computer software training for corporate business users with a variety of training companies (including his own, PC Teach). From 1988 to 1992, he taught university classes in Lotus 1-2-3 and Introduction to Database Management Technology (using dBASE) in the Department of Information Systems at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. In mid-1993, Greg started a new multimedia publishing venture, Mind over Media, Inc. As a multimedia developer and computer book author, he hopes to enliven his future online computer books by making them into true interactive learning experiences that will vastly enrich and improve the training of users of all skill levels.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 240 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (September 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764508970
• ISBN-13: 978-0764508974
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,236,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Spreadsheets

More About the Author

Greg Harvey has authored tons of computer books, the most recent being Excel Timesaving Techniques For Dummies and Roxio Easy Media Creator For Dummies, and the most popular being Excel 2003 For Dummies and Excel 2003 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies. He started out training business users on how to use IBM personal computers and their attendant computer software in the rough and tumble days of DOS, WordStar, and Lotus 1-2-3 in the mid-80s of the last century. After working for a number of independent training firms, he went on to teach semester-long courses in spreadsheet and database management software at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
His love of teaching has translated into an equal love of writing. For Dummies books are, of course, his all-time favorites to write because they enable him to write to his favorite audience, the beginner. They also enable him to use humor (a key element to success in the training room) and, most delightful of all, to express an opinion or two about the subject matter at hand.
Greg received his doctorate degree in Humanities in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Asian Studies and Comparative Religion last May. Everyone is glad that Greg was finally able to get out of school before he retired.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Horrible- unless you know absolutly nothing about computers!, January 21, 2002

By 

Dillon (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows XP for Dummies Quick Reference (Plastic Comb)

This book had to be the most horrible book for novices in the world! First of all, this book covers the bare-bone basics. It's basically only for the people that don't even know hwat Windows XP is. Second, most of the book is devoted to showing only what everyone else knows how to do in previous Windows versions. It does explain a little about XPs new features such as fast user switching and the welcome screen, but not enough. I also find some of the "Go get your system administrator for this one!" extreemly annoying! The type of people who would buy this book are home users. Now how many of us have system administrators running about in our home?
Save yourself the money, and the frustration, and buy yourself another book. You'd have to be a real big dummy to get this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book!, May 12, 2003

By 

Bill "billsrrempire" (Southern Maryland, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows 95 for Dummies Quick Reference (Paperback)

Some of us are still using Windows 95 and Windows 95 for Dummies Quick Reference is a great reference tool when used alone or along with Windows 95 for Dummies. It's compact size and alphabetical format assists in finding the answers quickly.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worthless, October 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Windows XP for Dummies Quick Reference (Plastic Comb)

I have been referring to this guide for six months now and have not taken a single item of help from it.