Windows XP: The Complete Reference [Paperback]

John R. Levine (Author), Rima Regas (Author), Alison Barrows (Author), John Levine (Author), Margaret Levine Young (Author)

Book Description

Series: Complete Reference | Publication Date: September 28, 2001

This text offers up-to-date details on installing, running and maximising Windows XP. It explains how to connect to the Internet, design a LAN, share drives and printers and provides troubleshooting and tuning tips for improving performance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Most Up-To-Date Guide on Windows XP Available

Get the most out of Windows XP--the most exciting upgrade to today's most popular operating system--with help from this comprehensive resource. You'll get complete details on everything from installation and configuration to performance tuning and networking with Windows XP. Learn to take full advantage of all the latest enhancements--including improved support for scanners, digital cameras, and audio devices--as well as new features that make mobile computing easier and more stable. You'll also discover how to safely shop and browse on the Internet using the advanced security and privacy features included in Windows XP. Covering both versions--Professional and Home Edition--this clearly written, thorough guide is a must-have for every Windows user.

• Install or upgrade to Windows XP easily using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
• Get details on all the new features--for both Professional and Home editions of Windows XP
• Set up your desktop, configure your mouse and keyboard, and add or remove hardware
• Connect to the Internet with dial-up, DSL, and cable Internet accounts, and share your connection with other computers
• Protect your computer using the built-in firewall
• Work with text, numbers, pictures, sound, and video with Windows Media Player 8
• Network with Windows XP--including designing a Windows-based LAN
• Learn tuning techniques to maximize performance

About the Author

John Levine (Trumansburg, NY) is an internationally acclaimed Internet authority, author, and the host of his own radio show. He’s the author of two dozen books ranging from Linkers and Loaders (O’Reilly) to The Internet for Dummies(Hungry Minds). He also runs online newsgroups and mailing lists, hosts a hundred Web sites, and consults on programming languages and Internet topics.

Margy Levine Young (Cornwall, VT) is the author of many computer books for beginners and intermediates, including The Internet for Dummies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Osborne/McGraw-Hill (September 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072192976
• ISBN-13: 978-0072192971
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,043,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

See my tediously corporate home page at http://www.johnlevine.com and my blog at http://weblog.johnlevine.com. Then rush back and buy lots of books, please.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm the author, and here's more info about the book, April 10, 2002

By 

Margaret L. Young "Another computer book author" (VT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows XP: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

I wanted to correct a few misconceptions that other reviewers posted about this book. It's not mainly about Windows XP Home Edition: it's about both Professional and Home. We wrote it about Windows XP Pro, and then noted where Windows XP works differently.

Someone else claimed that the book omits getting a Windows XP computer networked with a Windows 98 computer. Chapter 28 is about setting up LANs, and it describes the whole process. There's a Network Setup Wizard you can run on both the Windows XP and Windows 98 system to get them both configured. The key point is that older Windows versions use the NetBEUI networking protocol, and Windows XP doesn't, unless you do some extra steps. The best solution is to switch your older machines over to TCP/IP, the networking protocol that both Windows XP and the Internet use.

Anyway, I hope that this extra information is helpful!...

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Manual for WinXP Pro, November 2, 2002

By 

Susen WANG (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows XP: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

It is an excellent book. I consider it to be the right manual for WinXP. It contains everything that an average user needs (although not for computer technicians). It is also good for more advanced users who want to explore some hidden power of WinXP.

The most difficult part of WinXP is the network configuration (wireless network, domain network, and private network). I find the book sufficient for a beginner to setup the networks.

The best of all about this book is that it includes an e-book version of the whole book on a CD(about 18MB). Thus, the book can be with the computer wherever you go. There are a lot of other advantages of an e-book over a hardcopy. In an e-book, you can (1) search for key words, (2) move from page to page and from chapter to chapter more easily, (3) have access to additional information on the internet by clicking the mouse (the e-book has many useful links to pages on the World Wide Web), (4) take some notes by cut-and-paste.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference for Windows XP, May 3, 2002

By 

Steven J Oliphant (Middlebury, VT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows XP: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

I found the book to have everything I needed for working with Windows XP. For example, I was having a problem with accessing web pages with XP on my home network. I used the network setup section of the book to ensure my home network was setup properly to work with Windows XP. At the same time, I learned some shortcuts for displaying network information.

I especially like their tips which are sprinkled throughout the book.

I believe this book will work well for the beginner up through the advanced user.