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Getting Started Guide

Microsoft Windows XP Starter Edition

Part 1: Windows Basic Tasks and Concepts Part 2: Fun with Windows XP Starter Edition Part 3: Windows Accessibility Features Part 4: Hardware and Windows Tools

Getting Started with
Windows XP Starter Edition



Welcome to Windows XP Starter Edition!

Welcome to Microsoft® Windows® XP Starter Edition, the most economical version of Windows XP, which is designed specifically to introduce you to personal computing! Windows XP Starter Edition features the standard Windows user interface, preconfigured security settings designed to protect you and your computer, and helpful support materials tailored to you and your language.

With Windows XP Starter Edition, you and your family can:

  • Connect with your friends and family by browsing the Internet, checking e-mail, and sending instant messages.
  • Have fun by watching movies, organizing and sharing your photos, and listening to your favorite music.
  • Increase personal productivity and organization by installing and using programs and devices compatible with Windows XP products.

This guide will help you become familiar with basic tasks and tools that you will use in Windows XP Starter Edition. It is not intended to be a comprehensive learning guide, but rather a place to get started in understanding your computer and successfully using Windows XP Starter Edition. In addition, this guide is designed to be suitable for printing.

For more detailed information on specific tasks, see the information in the My Support section by clicking Start, and then clicking My Support.



Part 1: Windows Basic Tasks and Concepts


Learn About the Desktop

The Windows desktop is an on-screen work area that is set up just like a real desk. On it, you will find items such as icons, menus, and windows that you will use to open programs and complete tasks. The Windows desktop allows you to move and rearrange these objects and to start and stop as if you were working on an actual desk.

Start menu

One of the most important things on the desktop is the Start menu, which contains everything you need to begin using Windows. Here are some of the tasks you can perform using the Start menu:

  • Start programs
  • Open files
  • Restart your computer
  • Shut down your computer

Some items on the Start menu have a right-facing arrow. This means that additional choices are available on a secondary menu. Place your pointer over an item with an arrow, such as All Programs, and another menu appears.

At the left side of your Start menu are shortcuts to items that will always appear on your Start menu, such as your Internet browser and e-mail program.

At the very bottom of your Start menu, you will see the All Programs selection. This option opens a list of all of the programs currently installed on your computer.

To restart your computer

  1. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
  2. In the What do you want the computer to do drop-down list, click the down-arrow and select Restart.

To turn off the computer

  1. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
  2. In the What do you want the computer to do drop-down list, click the down-arrow and select Shut down.

When you turn on the computer power again, Windows starts automatically.


Shortcuts Start menu

Start button  
 

Programs

Programs are units of software. They are the internal instructions run by a computer, as opposed to the physical hardware on which they run. An example is Outlook Express, which is an e-mail program.

On the Start menu, there is a list of programs for you to select from. Some programs are always available for you to click. Others will change as you use your computer and will display your most frequently used programs.

With Windows XP Starter Edition, you can have up to three programs open at the same time. If you currently have three programs open on your computer and attempt to open a fourth program, you will see a message asking you to close one of the open programs before you can successfully an additional program.

If you decide to close one of the programs to open a new one, be sure to save any work before closing that program.

To close a program and open a new program

  1. Click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the window.
  2. You may be asked if you would like to save any open files in the program you plan to close. If you want to save them, click Yes. If not, click No.
  3. Click Start, and then click the program you want to open.

Icons

The small pictures you see on the desktop are called icons. Think of each icon as a doorway to the files and programs stored on your computer.

Icons let you open programs, files, folders, disk drives, Web pages, and printers. Because they represent a shortcut link to the files or devices, you can add and delete the icons without affecting the actual programs or files.

The first time you start Windows, you will see only one icon. This icon is the Recycle Bin. This is where you place files you wish to delete from your computer.

To learn an icon name

  • Place your mouse pointer over an icon. Text appears that identifies its name or contents.

To open the contents of an icon

  • Double-click the icon to open the file or program it is associated with.

Windows

Everything you can do on your computer appears inside frames that are called windows. Working with windows is easy when you understand the basic concepts of how they work.

In Windows XP Starter Edition, you can open a maximum of three programs at the same time. Each active program can have up to three open windows.

If you are working in a program, have three windows open, and try to open a fourth window, you will receive a message asking you to close one of the open windows before attempting to open a new window. If you decide to close one of the windows to open a new one, be sure to save any work before closing it.

To close a window in an open program and open a new window

  1. Click File, and then click Close.
  2. You may be asked if you would like to save your file in the window you plan to close. If you want to save it, click Yes. If not, click No.
  3. Open a new window in the program you are working in.

To identify the name of the window

  • When you open a window, the file name and program name appear at the top of the window in the title bar.

To change the shape of a window

  • You can resize your windows by placing your mouse pointer at the edge of your window until it turns into a double arrow, then holding down your mouse button and dragging the window edge until you are satisfied with its size and shape.

To move a window

  • Place your mouse pointer at the top of your window in the title bar, hold down the mouse button, and drag the window to where you want to put it on your desktop.

To view a window that is behind another window

When you have several windows open at the same time, you can change the order in which they appear.

  • If you can see the window you want to use, click it and it moves to the top of the stack. You can also click on its taskbar button to bring the window forward.

Title bars File and folder tasks

  Taskbar button representing the open window

Minimize, maximize, and close buttons

Icon

To resize the window, drag with the mouse pointer on a corner.


Understand the title bar buttons

In the top-right corner of every title bar are three buttons. Clicking these buttons quickly performs the following actions:

  • Minimize a window to shrink it to a button on the task bar by clicking the Minimize button in the top-right corner of the title bar.
  • Maximize a window by clicking the Maximize button in the top-right corner of the title bar.
  • Restore the window's size by clicking the Restore button again. The window returns to its original size.
  • Close the window by clicking the Close button in the top-right corner of the title bar.

Inside your windows

Menus

Directly under the title bar at the top of your window are the menus. Browse the menus to view the different commands and tools you can use in your program. When you find the command you want, just click it.

Scroll bars

If the contents of your file do not fit in the window, you can easily move the content into view. Along the side of the window is a scroll bar. Click on the slider bar and hold the mouse button down to drag the slider bar and move the page in the window.

Dialog box

If a program needs some information from you before it can complete a command, a dialog box appears. You enter information in several different ways, according to how the dialog box is set up. In some dialog boxes, you may need to click and type. You may also select a choice from a list. You may also choose just one option or check off one or more options that you want.

Taskbar

Every time you open a window, a button representing it appears on the taskbar, which is at the bottom of your computer screen. The button disappears when you close the window.

The taskbar also contains the Start button and the notification area, where you will see the clock and other buttons that appear to show status of ongoing activities. For instance, the printer button appears when you send a file to the printer, then disappears when printing is complete.

Now that you are familiar with the desktop, you are ready to move on!

 


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Learn About the Mouse

Use the mouse to interact with items on your screen as you would use your hands to interact with objects in the physical world. You can move objects, open them, change them, or throw them away, among other things.

Using the mouse buttons

A mouse has a primary and secondary mouse button. Use the primary mouse button (normally the left button) to select and click items, position the cursor in a document, and drag items.

Use the secondary mouse button (normally the right button) to display a menu of tasks or options that change depending on where you click. This menu is useful for completing tasks quickly. Clicking the secondary mouse button is called right-clicking.

Most mice now include a wheel that helps you to scroll through documents more easily. The wheel may also act as a third button.

Click your mouse

Point to an object on the screen and quickly press and release the primary button.

Double-click your mouse

Point to an object on the screen and quickly press and release the primary button twice. If you have trouble double-clicking, you can often perform the same task by right-clicking the object and then clicking the first option on the menu that appears.

Drag an object with your mouse

Move your pointer over an object on the screen, click and hold the primary button, move the object to a new location, and then release the primary button.

Display shortcut menus using your mouse

Point to an object on the screen, and then click the secondary button. This is called right-clicking your mouse and is used often when performing Windows tasks.

Use a mouse wheel

If your button has a wheel, roll the wheel with your forefinger to move up or down in a document or on a Web page.

Personalize your mouse

While your mouse should just work when you start up your computer, you can make some changes to its functionality and to the look and behavior of your mouse pointer. For example, you can switch the role of the buttons on your mouse, or adjust the speed of double-clicking. For the mouse pointer, you can change its appearance, improve its visibility, or set it to be hidden when you are typing.

Make changes to the mouse and mouse pointers in the Mouse Control Panel.

  • To open Mouse, click Start, click Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Mouse.

 


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Learn About Keeping Your Computer Safe

Windows Security Center checks your computer for the three security essentials:

  • Firewall: Windows Firewall is a barrier that checks information (often called traffic) coming from the Internet or a network and then either turns it away or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings. A firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to it.
  • Virus protection software: Antivirus programs scan e-mail and other files on your computer for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. If a virus, worm, or Trojan horse is found, the antivirus program either quarantines it or deletes it entirely before it damages your computer and files.
  • Automatic Updates: Windows checks for security and other critical updates that protect your computer against new viruses and other security threats that can spread over the Internet. Other updates contain enhancements, such as upgrades and tools that can help your computer run more smoothly.

The Security Center can detect if your computer would benefit from enhanced security in one of the these three areas. If so, the Security Center will notifying you by sending you an alert.


Understanding security alerts

Alerts are displayed in the notification area, which is to the right of the taskbar, next to the clock. If the Security Center detects that your computer might need enhanced security in one of the three security areas (firewall, virus protection, or Automatic Updates), you will see an alert notification every time you log on until the problem is fixed.

Understanding Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall is a barrier that checks information (often called traffic) coming from the Internet or a network and then either turns it away or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings.

A firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to it through a network or the Internet. Windows Firewall is built into Windows XP and is turned on automatically, helping to protect your computer against viruses and other security threats.

Windows XP Starter Edition is designed to provide the best possible safe and secure computing for beginning users. In Windows XP Starter Edition, the firewall is set to ON.

Understanding antivirus protection

It is strongly recommend that you help protect your computer from viruses by installing and using an antivirus program. The Internet is full of fun places and vast amounts of information, but also some dangers. Your computer can be damaged by a computer virus sent through e-mail or through a program downloaded from the Web. If you do not use antivirus software, you run the risk of passing viruses along to other computers as well.

Antivirus programs scan e-mail and other files on your computer for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. If a virus, worm, or Trojan horse is found, the antivirus program either quarantines it or deletes it entirely before it damages your computer and files.

Many antivirus programs have an automatic update capability. When your antivirus software is updated, new viruses are added to a list of viruses to check for, protecting your computer from new attacks. If your antivirus updates are not automatic, we recommend that you check for updates on a frequent basis because new viruses are identified every day. If the antivirus program you are using requires a subscription, we strongly recommended that you keep the subscription current to receive regular updates. If your list of viruses is out of date, your computer is vulnerable to new threats.

If you are unsure whether or not you have antivirus software installed on your computer, you can find out by taking the following steps. Many major computer manufacturers include at least a trial version of antivirus software. However, the presence of virus software on your computer does not automatically guarantee that it is running or being updated regularly.

To determine whether your computer has antivirus protection

  1. Click Start, and then point to All Programs.
  2. In the list of programs, look for the word "antivirus."
  3. If you do not find any programs with the word "antivirus" in the name, you should purchase and install an up-to-date antivirus program to help protect your computer. For a list of popular antivirus programs, see Microsoft Antivirus Partners.

Understanding Automatic Updates

New viruses and security threats are continually developed by attackers, so helping protect your computer is an ongoing process. If you turned on Automatic Updates, Windows automatically checks for important updates for your computer. These updates can include critical updates, security updates, and service packs. Windows notifies you about (or automatically installs) important updates, based on your Automatic Updates settings.

It is also a good idea to visit the Windows Update Web site This link requires Internet access. The Web page will open in a new window. on a regular basis to get optional updates, such as recommended software and hardware updates, to help improve your computer's performance.

Automatic updates can be scheduled and delivered to your computer in four different ways:

  • Automatic (recommended)
  • Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them
  • Notify me but don't automatically download or install updates
  • Turn off Automatic Updates

For enhanced security, you should set up Automatic Updates so that it automatically downloads and installs critical updates as soon as they are released.

To schedule automatic updates

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
  2. Click Automatic (recommended).
  3. Under Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them, set the time and day you want Windows to install updates, and then click Apply.

Scheduled updates are automatically installed at the scheduled time. Some updates require you to restart your computer before they can take effect. Make sure you save your work before restarting your computer, especially before scheduled installation times.

New viruses and security threats are continually developed by attackers, so helping protect your computer is an ongoing process. If you turned on Automatic Updates, Windows automatically checks for important updates for your computer. These updates can include critical updates, security updates, and service packs. Windows notifies you about (or automatically installs) important updates, based on your Automatic Updates settings.

It is also a good idea to visit the Windows Update Web site This link requires Internet access. The Web page will open in a new window. on a regular basis to get optional updates, such as recommended software and hardware updates, to help improve your computer's performance.

To change how updates are downloaded and installed

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
  2. Select a setting, and then click Apply.

To check for new updates for your computer

  1. Go to the Windows Update Web site This link requires Internet access. The Web page will open in a new window..
  2. Click Express Install.

To uninstall an update

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Add or Remove Programs, and then click Remove a program.
  2. On the top right, select the Show updates check box. All installed updates appear in your program list.
  3. Click the update you want to uninstall, and then click Remove.

 

Learn About the Control Panel

Control Panel is full of tools that you will use to change how Windows looks and behaves.

To open Control Panel

  • Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

When you first open Control Panel, you will see commonly used Control Panel items organized by category. To find out more information about any item, hold your mouse pointer over the icon or category name and read the text that appears. To open a Control Panel item, click its icon or category name.

To set or change a screen saver

  1. With your mouse pointer, right-click on your Windows desktop, and from the pop-up menu that appears, select Properties.
  2. In the Display Properties dialog box, select the Screen Saver tab.
  3. On the Screen Saver tab, in the Screen saver list, select the screen saver you want.
  4. Click Preview to view the screen saver for a few seconds (move your mouse or press any key to end the preview), and then click Settings to customize its behavior.
  5. When you are satisfied with your selection, click OK, then click OK again to save your settings.

Other tools help you manage Windows programs. For example, use Add or Remove Programs to add a new software program, to completely remove all components of a program that is currently installed on your computer, or modify how that program is installed.

To change or remove a program

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
  2. Click Add or Remove Programs again, and then click the program you want to change or remove.

 


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Learn About Printing

Printing in Windows begins with connecting your computer to a printer, then making sure the software for your printer is installed. Once that's done, you can print files, track the progress of your print jobs, even cancel or restart them.

The topics below provide you with the help you need to move through this basic process from beginning to end.

To connect directly to a printer

  1. Connect the printer cable to the appropriate port on your computer according to the printer manufacturer's instructions.
  2. Plug the power cord of the printer into a wall outlet and turn the printer on.
  3. If the Found New Hardware Wizard appears, select the Install the software automatically (Recommended) check box, click Next, and then follow the instructions.
  4. If the wizard does not appear, click Start, click Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Printers.
  5. Under Printer Tasks, click Add a printer to open the Add Printer Wizard, and then click Next.
  6. Click Local printer, clear the Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer check box, and then click Next.
  7. In the Use the following port list, click LPT1: (Recommended Printer Port), and then click Next.
  8. Follow the directions that appear.
  9. When you are finished, the printer appears in Printers and Faxes. If you want to print a test page, first make sure your printer is turned on and ready to print.

To print a document

  1. Open the document you want to print.
  2. On the File menu of the program you are using, click Print.

While a document is printing, a printer icon appears in the notification area. When this icon disappears, your document has finished printing.

Print queue

Windows provides a print queue that displays the status of documents that you have sent to the printer.

To open the print queue

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other Hardware.
  2. Click Printers, and then click See what's printing under Printer Tasks on the left side of the window.

If you send the wrong file to the printer or it is taking too long to print, you can cancel a print job and have it removed from the printer. In the Print Queue, right-click the document you want to stop printing, and then click Cancel.

 


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Learn About Files and Folders

Most Windows tasks involve working with files and folders. When you use programs such as Microsoft Paint and Microsoft WordPad, you save your work as files and store them in folders. A good organization system for your files and folders allows you to locate and retrieve your files with ease—just like placing your documents in paper folders in a filing cabinet.

Folders can contain many different types of files, such as documents, music, pictures, videos, and programs. You can copy and move files to folders you create from locations such as another folder, computer, or the Internet. You can even create folders within folders.

For example, if you are creating and storing files in the My Documents folder, you can make a new folder within My Documents to contain the files. If you decide that you want to move the new folder to a different location, you can easily move it and its contents by selecting the folder and dragging it to the new location.

Every Windows folder provides tools that help you easily perform common file and folder tasks. When you open any folder on your computer, a list of task links appears in the Task Pane next to the folder contents. If you click on a file or folder, and then click a task, you can rename, copy, move, or delete it. You can also send a file in e-mail or publish it to the Web.

To open a file or folder

  1. Click Start, and then click My Documents.
  2. Locate and double-click the file or folder you want to open.

To save a file

  1. On the File menu of the program you are working in, click Save.
  2. If you haven't saved your file yet, type a name for the file in File name, and then click Save.

To delete a file or folder

You can also delete files or folders by right-clicking the file or folder and then clicking Delete.

  1. Click Start, and then click My Documents.
  2. Click the file or folder you want to delete.
  3. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Delete this file or Delete this folder, and then click Yes.

Your personal folders

My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music are special Windows folders that act as your personal storage system. All of these folders are accessible from the Start menu.

My Documents folder

The My Documents folder is the best place to store documents, graphics, and other files you want to access quickly. When you open My Documents, you can view the files and folders you have created.

To open the My Documents folder

  • Click Start, and then click My Documents.

To create a new folder in My Documents

  1. To open My Documents, click Start, and then click My Documents.
  2. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Make a new folder.
  3. A new folder is displayed with the default name, New Folder, selected.
  4. Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER.

You can also create a new folder by right-clicking a blank area in a folder window or on the desktop, pointing to New, and then clicking Folder.

My Pictures and My Music folders

My Documents contains two specialized folders—My Pictures and My Music. On the side of the folder windows, Picture Tasks and Music Tasks provide task links that help you manage your picture and music files. You can view your pictures as a slide show, print your pictures, save them to a CD, play your music, e-mail music files, move files, delete files, and more.

To open My Pictures

  • Click Start, and then click My Pictures.

To open My Music

  • Click Start, and then click My Music.

My Computer and Recycle Bin folders

My Computer and the Recycle Bin are special Windows folders that help you manage all files on your computer and remove files, folders, and other items that are no longer needed.

My Computer folder

The My Computer folder shows you a simple view of the contents of your floppy disk, hard disk, and CD-ROM drive. From System Tasks on the side of the folder window, you can search for and open files and folders on your computer, gain access to options in Control Panel to modify your computer's settings, and perform a number of other tasks.

To open the My Computer folder

  • Click Start, and then click My Computer.

Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin folder is located on your desktop. When you delete any item on your hard disk, Windows places it in the Recycle Bin. Items in the Recycle Bin remain there until you permanently delete them from your computer.

Because the items in the Recycle Bin can be undeleted or restored back to their original location, they still take up hard disk space. If you are running low on hard disk space, always remember to empty the Recycle Bin. When the Recycle Bin fills up, Windows automatically cleans out enough space in the Recycle Bin to hold the most recently deleted files and folders.

To empty the Recycle Bin

  1. Double-click Recycle Bin on your desktop to open the folder.
  2. In the Recycle Bin Tasks pane, click Empty Recycle Bin.
  3. Confirm your action by clicking OK. All items stored in the Recycle Bin are now permanently deleted from your hard drive.

To restore deleted items

  1. Double-click Recycle Bin to open the folder.
  2. In the Recycle Bin Tasks pane, click Restore This Item. The item is restored to its original folder location on your hard drive.

View files and folders

Windows provides several ways for you to arrange and identify your files when viewing them in folders, such as My Documents. When a folder is open, you can change how your files are displayed on the View menu.

  • Show in Groups allows you to group your files by any detail of the file, such as name, size, type, or date modified. For example, if you group by file type, image files appear in one group, Microsoft Word files appear in another group, and Microsoft Excel files in another. Show in Groups is available in the Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, and Details views.
  • Thumbnails view displays the images a folder contains on a folder icon so you can quickly identify the contents of the folder. For example, if you store pictures in several different folders, you can tell at a glance which folder contains the pictures you want in Thumbnails view.
  • Tiles view displays your files and folders as icons. The icons are larger than those in Icon view, and the sort information you select is displayed under the file or folder name. For example, if you sort your files by type, "Microsoft Word document" appears under the file name for a Microsoft Word document.
  • Filmstrip view is available in picture folders. Your pictures appear in a single row of thumbnail images. You can scroll through your pictures using the left and right arrow buttons. If you click a picture, it is displayed as a larger image above the other pictures. To edit, print, or save the image to another folder, double-click the picture.
  • Icons view displays your files and folders as icons. The file name is displayed under the icon; however, sort information is not displayed. In this view you can display your files and folders in groups.
  • List view displays the contents of a folder as a list of file or folder names preceded by small icons. This view is useful if your folder contains many files and you want to scan the list for a file name. You can sort your files and folders in this view; however, you cannot display your files in groups.
  • Details view lists the contents of the open folder and provides detailed information about your files, including name, type, size, and date modified. In Details view you can also show your files in groups. To specify which details you want to display, click Choose Details on the View menu.

To change the way your files and folders are viewed

  • In any folder, on the View menu, point to any of the following items according to how you want your files displayed: Thumbnails, Tiles, Filmstrip, Icons, List, Details. On the View menu, you can also click Arrange Icons by, and then click Show in Groups to show your files by group.

Search for files and folders

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer provides a quick way to view all the files and folders on your computer. Using Windows Explorer is also a good way to copy or move files from one folder to another. Use this tool if you know where the file or folder is located.

To open Windows Explorer

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.

Search Companion

Search Companion makes it easy to search for files and folders and is also a convenient starting point for searching for information on the Internet. When you use Search Companion, you can specify several search criteria. For example, you can search for files and folders by name, type, or size. You can find a file based on when you last worked on it or search for files containing specific text.

To open Search Companion

  • Click Start, and then click Search.

 


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Part 2: Have Fun with Windows XP Starter Edition


Explore the Internet

With the Internet Explorer Web browser and an Internet connection, you can search for and view information on the World Wide Web.

To make an Internet connection, you must first contact and sign up with an Internet Service Provider that covers your local area. Your provider will supply you with the information you need to set up your Internet account.

Once you are connected, you can open Internet Explorer and type the address of the Web page you want to visit into the address bar, or click an address from your list of Favorites. Internet Explorer also lets you search the Internet for people, businesses, and information about subjects that interest you. Internet Explorer security features let you browse the Web with confidence, knowing that your computer and personal information are safe.

To open Internet Explorer

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.

To search the Internet

  1. Click Start, and then click Search.
  2. Click Search the Internet.
  3. Type a phrase or sentence describing the information you want to find, and then click Search.
  4. In the list of search results, click a link to display the Web page.

To set Internet Options

With Internet Options, you can change your Internet Explorer settings to specify the first Web page you see when you start the browser. You can also delete temporary Internet files stored on your computer and block access to objectionable material.

To open Internet options

  • Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Internet Options.

Internet Options allows you to change the settings of Internet Explorer, but it cannot be used to change the settings of other Web browsers.

To add a Web Site to your Favorites list

When you find Web sites or pages that you like, you can add them to your Favorites list so they are easy to find again.

  1. Locate and display the Web page you want to add to your Favorites list.
  2. Click the Internet Explorer Favorites menu, and then click Add to Favorites
  3. In the Add to Favorites dialog box, either rename the Web page or leave the title as it is displayed for the Web page, and click OK. The Web page is added to the Favorites list and will be displayed when you click on the Favorites menu.

To find a Web page you have recently visited

  1. On the Internet Explorer toolbar, click the History button. The History bar appears, containing links for Web sites and pages visited in previous days and weeks.
  2. In the History bar, click a week or day, click a Web site folder to display individual pages, and then click the page icon to display the Web page.
  3. To sort or search the History bar, click the arrow next to the View button at the top of the History bar.

To find a Web page that you visited in this session

  • To return to the last page you viewed, click the Back button on the toolbar.
  • To view one of the last nine pages you visited in this session, click the arrow to the side of the Back or Forward button, and then click the page you want from the list.

Send E-Mail with Outlook Express

With an Internet connection and Microsoft Outlook Express, you can exchange e-mail messages with anyone on the Internet. The Internet Connection Wizard helps you set up your e-mail options.

To open Outlook Express

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Outlook Express.

To set up an e-mail account

Before you begin, you need the following information from your Internet service provider (ISP): type of e-mail server (POP3, IMAP, or HTTP), account name and password, name of the incoming e-mail server, and name of the outgoing e-mail server.

  1. In Outlook Express on the Tools menu, click Accounts.
  2. In the Internet Accounts dialog box, click Add.
  3. Select Mail to open the Internet Connection Wizard, and then follow the instructions to establish a connection with an e-mail or news server.

Each user can create multiple e-mail accounts by repeating the procedure above for each account.

To add a new e-mail account

  1. In Outlook Express on the File menu, point to Identities, and then click Add New Identity.
  2. Type the name of the new user.
  3. To include a password for this identity, select the Require a password option, and then enter a password.
  4. Outlook Express asks if you want to log on as the new user. If you choose Yes, you will be prompted for information about your Internet connection. If you choose No, the current user remains logged on.

To send an e-mail message

  1. In Outlook Express, on the toolbar, click the Create Mail button.
  2. In the To or Cc boxes, type the e-mail name of each recipient, separating names with a comma or a semicolon ( ; ).
  3. In the Subject box, type a message title.
  4. Type your message, and then click Send on the toolbar.

To read your messages

You can read messages in a separate window or in the preview pane.

  1. Click the Inbox icon on either the Outlook bar or the Folders list.
  2. To view the message in the preview pane, click the message in the message list.
  3. To view the message in a separate window, double-click the message.
  4. To save the message in your file system, click Save as and then select a format (e-mail, text, or HTML) and a location.

To open an e-mail attachment

  1. Open (or preview) the e-mail that contains the attachment you want to open.
  2. Double-click the icon for the attachment.
  3. To save the attachment in your file system, click Save as and select a location.

 


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Enjoy music on your computer

With Microsoft Windows XP Starter Edition, you have access to the world of broadcast and recorded music. Play your own CDs. Tune in Web radio stations from your area or around the globe. Download music from the Internet and search for and compile information about songs and artists. Windows XP makes it easy to arrange and rearrange the order in which songs are played. With Windows XP, you can even create your own CDs and store music on a portable MP3 player to enjoy your favorite music while you're away from your computer.

Play your own music CDs

Playing your CDs with Windows Media Player is as easy as it is with any ordinary CD player.

To play a CD

  • Insert a CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive.

Windows Media Player automatically loads, appears on your screen, and begins playing the first track on the disc.

Copy song tracks from a CD

When you copy favorite music tracks from a CD to your hard drive, you can play them on your computer without having to load the CD. You can also save them for other uses. Here's how.

To copy song tracks from a CD

  1. Insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive.
  2. When Windows Media Player is displayed, click Copy from CD to display all tracks on the CD.
  3. Clear the check boxes beside any tracks you do not want to copy. (Click a check box to clear it.)
  4. Click Copy Music. This copies all selected tracks to the Media Library area of Windows Media Player and lists them in the Media Library directory by genre, artist, and title.

Personalize your Media Library

Windows Media Player contains an area called Media Library for storing audio and video files and related information, such as favorite music-related Web sites. Any time you copy audio or video files from a CD, DVD, the Internet, or other source, they are automatically stored in Media Library and can be located by browsing the Media Library directory, which is visible on the screen.

To open Windows Media Player

  • Click Start, and then click Windows Media Player.

Download music from the Internet

Hundreds of artists have placed music on the Internet for you to sample and download free of charge. The Media Guide feature in Windows Media Player makes it easy to find your favorite artists and songs. Media Guide scours the Web for sites containing the music you are looking for. You can also type the Web addresses of sites you know or hear about into a search window at the top of the guide.

To download a music file

  1. Click Save this file to Disk when prompted by the computer.
  2. Choose an easy-to-find location on your hard drive, such as the My Music folder, in which to save the music file.
  3. Name the file if it is not already named. Click Open to save the file, and then click Close.

After you have completed the steps above, you can place the downloaded file in the Music Library.

To place the file in the Music Library

  1. On the File menu in Windows Media Player, point to Add to Media Library, and then click Add File or Playlist.
  2. Click the desired musical track, and then click Open to add the file. All available artist and album details will also be transferred to the Media Library.

You can quickly glance at all the media files on your computer using the Windows Media Player.

To view all music files

  1. Click Start, and then click Windows Media Player.
  2. Click Media Library.
  3. Click All Music in the Media Library directory.

You'll see a list of audio recorded on your computer on the right side of the player. Double-click any file to play it.

Give your player a new face

Programs called skins can change the appearance of your Windows Media Player. If you don't like the look of the standard skin, you can choose from other skins that come with Windows XP Starter Edition.

To give Windows Media Player a new look

  1. Click Start, and then click Windows Media Player.
  2. Click Skin Chooser.
  3. Click the skin you want, from the list that appears.
  4. Click the green check mark to Apply skin.

Create Playlists

You can arrange and rearrange the order in which you play music and other audio files copied to your computer. Arrangements of such files in order are called playlists. They're fun to create and take only a few seconds to set up.

To create playlists

  1. Click Start, and then click Windows Media Player.
  2. Click Media Library.
  3. Click Playlist on the toolbar. Click New Playlist. In the New Playlist box, type a name for the playlist, and then click OK.
  4. Browse the Media Library directory to display your selection of copied music files in the right pane. Find the first song you want to include, right-click the track name, and then click Add to Playlist.
  5. If you have more than one playlist, click the desired one from the list of playlists displayed. Click OK to add the track to the playlist.
  6. Repeat until you have added all the desired songs. (You can go back later and add more, or delete some, if you choose.)
  7. Click My Playlists to view the contents of your playlist.
  8. To listen to a playlist, simply select it and then click the play button. The player will move through the list of tracks from top to bottom as you have arranged them.

If you don't like the order of tracks on a playlist, right-click any track on the list and select Move Up, Move Down, or Delete.

 


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Have Fun with Digital Photographs

Your digital camera and Windows XP Starter Edition

Windows XP Starter Edition is compatible with a broad range of the latest digital cameras. If your computer came with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, simply plug the cable into your computer, and you are ready to transfer your digital photographs. A wizard walks you through all the necessary of the steps to move the photos from the camera to your computer.

Organize your pictures

You can organize and share pictures with others on your computer and on the Internet using the My Pictures folder. When you save pictures from your digital camera or scanner to your computer, Windows automatically stores them in the My Pictures folder (unless you specify otherwise). This folder contains links to specialized picture tasks, such as printing a picture, that help you manage your photo files.

Windows provides several ways to organize and view your pictures.

You can store all of your pictures in the My Pictures folder, or you can make photo album folders within My Pictures for storing a smaller number of related photos. This is useful if you want to keep pictures of special events or pictures that you need for a specific purpose separate from your other pictures.

You can view your photos and image files as a slide show or in the Filmstrip view. In Filmstrip view, your pictures appear in a single row of thumbnail images. You can scroll through your pictures using the left and right arrow buttons. If you click a picture, it is displayed as a larger image above the other pictures. You can double-click a picture to edit, print, or save the image to another folder.

To make a photo album on your computer

  1. Click Start, and then click My Pictures.
  2. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Make a new folder.
  3. Type the name of the folder, and then press ENTER.
  4. Right-click the new folder, and then click Properties.
  5. On the Customize tab, under Use this folder type as a template, select Photo Album.

Photo album folders are best for managing smaller numbers of pictures.

To view your pictures as a slide show

  1. Click Start, and then click My Pictures.
  2. Under Picture Tasks, click View as a slide show.

Use the slide show toolbar buttons to play, pause, move to the previous or next slide, or end the slide show. If the toolbar is not displayed, move the pointer across the screen, and it will appear in the upper-right corner of the screen.

If none of the pictures or only one picture is selected, all of the pictures will be shown in the slide show. If two or more pictures are selected, only those pictures will be shown in the slide show.

To view pictures as a filmstrip

  1. Click Start, and then click My Pictures.
  2. On the View menu, click Filmstrip.

You can use the filmstrip toolbar buttons to select the previous and next pictures in the filmstrip or work with the selected picture. Click a picture to select it. Double-click a picture to see a preview of it in the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. You can view your pictures as a filmstrip in any My Pictures subfolder or any folder customized as a pictures folder.

Name your pictures and albums

Windows XP makes it easy to locate your digital picture files by automatically naming the photos according to the date you transfer them to your computer. This makes them easy to search for if you remember when you took them. To make this even easier, you can rename individual photos or entire subfolders with memorable names, like "graduation" or "12th birthday party."

To rename your photos or folders

  1. Click Start, and then click My Pictures.
  2. Click the photo or folder you want to rename.
  3. Do one of the following:

  • To rename a file, under File and Folder Tasks, click Rename this file.
  • To rename a folder, under File and Folder Tasks, click Rename this folder.
  1. Type a new name for the photo or folder, and then press ENTER.

Print and share your pictures

You can print and e-mail your photographs directly from the My Pictures folder.

To print your pictures

  1. Click Start, and then click My Pictures.
  2. Under Picture Tasks, click Print pictures.
  3. Follow the instructions in the Photo Printing Wizard.

You do not have to select the pictures you want to print before clicking Print pictures. The Photo Printing Wizard displays all the image files from the open or selected folder so you can select the files you want to print.

To send photos by e-mail

  1. Click Start, and then click My Pictures.
  2. Click the photo you want to send.
  3. Under File and Folder Tasks, click E-mail this file.

Find your pictures

Windows helps you find photos on your computer quickly. When you save a photo file, Windows automatically stores it in the My Pictures folder.

  • Each time you transfer photos from your digital camera, Windows creates a new area, or subfolder, within My Pictures to contain them.
  • Windows also names the subfolder. You can change the name at any time.
  • Clicking on the subfolder displays the contents in thumbnail-size images. Double-click any thumbnail to see a larger version of the photo in the preview pane in the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer program.
  • To select more than one photo in the folder, press and hold down the CTRL key while clicking each photo. Then drag and drop to move, copy, or delete the selected photos.

Windows can also store photos from other sources besides digital cameras, such as photos sent to you in e-mail or that you capture and save from the Web.

Save your pictures to a CD

It is wonderful to have instant access to dozens of photographs on your computer. However, digital pictures often use more of your computer's memory than other files. Windows makes it easy to save your favorite photos to a compact disc (CD). A wizard guides you through the process of storing pictures on a CD. Using a CD frees up space on your computer. To make use of this feature, you'll need:

  • A recordable CD drive
  • A blank CD onto which you can transfer your photos

Some stores refer to recordable CDs as CDRs. Make sure you purchase recordable CDs that will work with your computer.

To save your photos to a CD

  1. Locate the photographs or folder containing the photos you want to transfer to a CD.
  2. Right-click the desired folders or photos. To select more than one photo, click the first one, and then hold down CTRL and click the other photos.
  3. Click Send To, and then click Writable CD.
  4. Follow the instructions on your screen.

After copying your photos to a CD, you can delete them from your computer.

 


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Personalize Your Computer

Windows XP Starter Edition contains a selection of backgrounds to choose from. You can also capture photographs and pictures on the Web. Here's how to give your desktop a fresh look.

To customize your desktop background

  1. With your mouse pointer, right-click on your Windows desktop, and from the pop-up menu that appears, choose Properties.
  2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab.
  3. On the Desktop tab, do one or more of the following:

  • Click a background picture in the Background list. In the Position list, click Center, Tile, or Stretch to define how your picture will be displayed.
  • Click Browse to search for a background picture in other folders or on other drives. You can use files with the following extensions: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .dib, or .png. In the Position list, click Center, Tile, or Stretch to define how your picture will be displayed, and then click OK or Apply.

If you want to use a picture from a Web site, while you are on the site, right-click the image, and then click Set as Desktop Background.

To see a plain background, you must select none from the Background drop-down menu.

Add a colorful screen saver

Brighten your work area and protect your monitor when your computer is idle by adding a colorful screen saver. Windows XP Starter Edition contains a selection for you to choose from.

To choose a screen saver

  1. With your mouse pointer, right-click on your Windows desktop, and from the pop-up menu that appears, choose Properties.
  2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Screen Saver tab.
  3. On the Screen Saver tab, in the Screen saver list, click the screen saver you want.
  4. Click Preview to view the screen saver for a few seconds (move your mouse or press any key to end the preview), and then click Settings to customize its behavior.
  5. When you are satisfied with your choice, click OK.

Change sizes displayed on your screen

Screen resolution settings determine the amount of information your monitor displays. If you increase your screen resolution, you will be able to view more information at one time. Everything will appear smaller on your screen, including text. Decreasing your screen resolution will increase the size of items on your screen. You will be able to view less information at one time, but text and other information will be larger and easier to read.

At 800 x 600 (low resolution), text and objects appear large, but there is less space on your screen. At 1024 x 768 (medium resolution), text and objects appear smaller, but you have more space on your screen.

To change screen resolution

  1. With your mouse pointer, right-click on your Windows desktop, and from the pop-up menu that appears, choose Properties.
  2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.
  3. On the Settings tab, in the Screen resolution area, drag the slider to the resolution you want, and then click Apply. Dragging to the slider to the left sets the screen resolution lower, and dragging it to the right sets it higher.
  4. When you are satisfied with your choice, click OK.

Add sound effects

The customizing features of Windows offer more than just visual enhancements. You can also add sound effects to orchestrate any move, from opening and closing folders to emptying the Recycle Bin. Sound effects are a perfect complement to any customized desktop and a great way to express your personality. Adding them is easy, too. Here's how.

To add sound effects

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.
  3. Under Pick a task, click Change the sound scheme.
  4. On the Sounds tab, under Program events, click the event to which you want to apply a sound.
  5. In the Sounds list, click the sound you want to link to the event.
  6. To hear the sound, click the Play button to the right of the Sounds list. If you are satisfied with your choice, click OK. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have linked sounds to as many program events as you want.
  7. To save your settings into a personalized sound scheme, click Save As. Type a name for the sound scheme, and then click OK. Click OK to complete the procedure and save your sound scheme.

Windows XP contains many sound effects to choose from. You can also create your own by copying them from other sources, such as CDs or the Internet, and storing them on your hard drive.

 


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Part 3:  Windows Accessibility Features


Make Windows Accessible

You can adjust the appearance and behavior of Windows to make the computer more usable for vision-impaired, hearing-impaired, or mobility-impaired users. Several Windows features are also included with Windows XP to assist people with the special needs in the following areas:

  • Hearing
  • Vision
  • Mobility

The accessibility tools that ship with Windows provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Many users with disabilities will need more advanced functionality for daily use. A wide variety of hardware and software products are available. For more information, see Accessibility. This link requires Internet access. The Web page will open in a new window.

Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts

To do this Press this
Switch FilterKeys on and off Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager Windows logo key   + U

Set Up Your Computer with Utility Manager

Using Utility Manager, you can set up Windows to automatically start Magnifier, On-Screen Keyboard, and Narrator (English-only) each time you log on to your computer, and when Utility Manager starts.

To open Utility Manager

  • Press the Windows logo key + U.

Customize Windows for Special Hearing Needs

People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can configure Windows to use visual cues in place of sounds, or increase the volume level of program and system sounds.

SoundSentry

SoundSentry is designed for people who have difficulty hearing system sounds generated by the computer. SoundSentry allows you to change settings to generate visual warnings, such as a blinking title bar or a flashing border, whenever the computer generates a sound.

To turn on SoundSentry

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the Sound tab, under SoundSentry, select the Use SoundSentry check box.

ShowSounds

ShowSounds instructs programs to provide visual cues, such as informative icons or text, for events that are normally only indicated by a sound.

To turn on ShowSounds

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the Sounds tab, under ShowSounds, select the Use ShowSounds check box.

Sound Schemes

Sound Schemes assigns custom sounds to events. People who have difficulty hearing sounds within a certain frequency range can use Sound Schemes to adjust system and program sounds to make them more audible.

To create a sound scheme

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, and then click Sounds and Audio Devices.
  2. On the Sounds tab, in the Program events list, assign a sound for each event you want to save in a new sound scheme.
  3. Under Sound scheme, click Save As.
  4. In the Save Scheme As dialog box, type a name for the new sound scheme. The new scheme is displayed in the Sound scheme box.

Customize Windows for Special Vision Needs

Mouse—Adjust mouse properties in Control Panel to display larger or more visible mouse pointers and control the speed and animation of the mouse pointer.

Program customizing—When using Windows-based programs, you can change font sizes and colors, background color, and window size.

High Contrast

High Contrast is a program designed for people who have vision impairment. High contrast color schemes can make the screen easier to view for some users by heightening screen contrast with alternative color combinations. Some schemes also change font sizes for easier reading.

To turn on High Contrast

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the Display tab, under High Contrast, select the Use High Contrast check box.

Magnifier

Magnifier makes the screen more readable for users who have impaired vision. Magnifier creates a separate window that displays a magnified portion of your screen. Magnifier also has a number of tracking options, including:

  • Following the mouse pointer as it moves on your screen
  • Following the keyboard focus which centers on the location of the cursor
  • Following text editing

When Magnifier is open, you can right-click the magnification window to set these Magnifier options, or to hide or exit Magnifier.

To open Magnifier

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.

ToggleKeys

ToggleKeys is designed for people who have vision impairment or cognitive disabilities. When ToggleKeys is turned on, your computer will provide sound cues when the locking keys (CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK) are pressed. A high sound plays when the keys are switched on and a low sound plays when they are switched off.

To turn on ToggleKeys

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the Keyboard tab, under ToggleKeys, select the Use ToggleKeys check box.

Customize Windows for Special Mobility Needs

People who have motion-related disabilities can use Windows to configure their computer system to provide a more comfortable computing environment and help minimize the impact of mobility impairments on their work.

Keyboard is part of Printers and Other Hardware category in Control Panel. It provides keyboard layouts for users of alternative keyboards.

Mouse is part of the Printers and Other Hardware category in Control Panel. In Mouse, you can configure the mouse for right-handed or left-handed users, adjust double-click speed, pointer speed, and acceleration, and set the mouse pointer to go directly to default buttons in dialog boxes.

FilterKeys

FilterKeys is a keyboard feature that instructs the keyboard to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes. Using FilterKeys, you can also slow the rate at which a key repeats when you hold it down.

To turn on FilterKeys

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the Keyboard tab, under FilterKeys, select the Use FilterKeys check box.

MouseKeys

MouseKeys is designed for people who have difficulty using a mouse. MouseKeys allows you to use the numeric keypad to control the mouse pointer. If you want to use the numeric keypad for data entry as well as for navigation, you can set the MouseKeys to be activated by pressing NUM LOCK.

To turn on MouseKeys

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the Mouse tab, under MouseKeys, select the Use MouseKeys check box.

To turn off MouseKeys

  • To turn off MouseKeys, clear the Use MouseKeys check box.

On-Screen Keyboard

On-Screen Keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the screen and allows users with mobility impairments to type data using a pointing device or joystick.

On-Screen Keyboard has three typing modes you can use to type data:

  • Clicking mode—Allows you to click the on-screen keys to type text.
  • Scanning mode—On-Screen Keyboard continually scans the keyboard and highlights areas where you can type keyboard characters by pressing a hot key or using a switch-input device.
  • Hovering mode—Allows you to use a mouse or joystick to point to a key for a predefined period of time, and the selected character is typed automatically.

In On-Screen Keyboard you can also:

  • View an enhanced keyboard that includes the numeric keypad, or a standard keyboard that does not include the numeric keypad.
  • Display the keyboard with the keys in standard layout, or in a block layout in which keys are arranged in rectangular blocks. Block layout is especially useful in scanning mode.
  • Use Click Sound to add an audible click when you select a key.
  • Use Always on Top to keep your keyboard displayed on your screen when you switch programs or windows.

To open On-Screen Keyboard

The program in which you want to type characters must be open and active while you are using On-Screen Keyboard.

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click On-Screen Keyboard.

Serial Keys

Serial Keys is designed for people who have difficulty using the computer's standard keyboard or mouse. Serial Keys provides support so that alternative input devices, such as single switch or puff and sip devices, can be plugged into the computer's serial port.

To change Serial Keys options

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the General tab, under SerialKey devices, click Settings.
  3. Change the serial port and baud rate for your SerialKey device as appropriate.

StickyKeys

StickyKeys is designed for people who have difficulty holding down two or more keys simultaneously. When a shortcut requires a key combination such as CTRL+P, StickyKeys will enable you to press a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key, and have it remain active until another key is pressed.

To turn on StickyKeys

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Accessibility Options, and then click Accessibility Options again.
  2. On the Keyboard tab, under StickyKeys, select the Use StickyKeys check box.

 


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Part 4: Hardware and Windows Tools


Hardware

Hardware includes any device that is connected to your computer and is controlled by your computer's microprocessor. This includes equipment that was connected to your computer when it was manufactured, as well as peripheral equipment that you added later. The following are examples of devices:

  • Monitors
  • Mouse
  • Modem
  • Disk drive
  • CD-ROM drive
  • DVD drive
  • Printer
  • Keyboard
  • Video adapter card
  • Game controllers

Devices can be connected to your computer in several ways. Some devices, such as network adapters and sound cards, are connected to expansion slots inside your computer. Other devices, such as printers and scanners, are connected to ports on the outside of your computer.

For a device to work properly with Windows, software known as a device driver must be installed on the computer. Each device is supported by one or more device drivers, which are typically supplied by the device manufacturer. Some device drivers are included with Windows. This means Windows can automatically detect it and install the appropriate device drivers.

If the device is not automatically installed by Windows, the Found New Hardware Wizard will appear and ask you to insert any compact discs or floppy disks that were provided with the device. If you cannot locate the drivers, contact the manufacturer of your device.

 


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Windows XP Tools

Windows XP provides tools and resources to help you manage and support your Windows operating system.

  • Windows Firewall
  • System Restore
  • Disk Cleanup
  • Disk Defragmenter

Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall is security software that acts as a protective boundary between your computer and the Internet. In Windows XP Starter Edition, Windows Firewall is set to ON.

System Restore

System Restore is a component of Windows XP that you can use to restore your computer to a previous state if a problem occurs. All personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, or e-mail) are preserved. System Restore monitors changes to the system and some program files and automatically creates restore points. These restore points allow you to revert the system to a previous time. They are created daily and during system events (such as installation of a program or driver). You can also create and name restore points at any time.

System Restore performs the following tasks:

  • Restores your computer to a previous state
    System Restore automatically tracks changes to your computer at all times and at specific intervals by creating restore points before changes occur. Restore points are stored states of your computer.
  • Restores your computer without losing your personal files
    System Restore does not cause you to lose your personal files or password. System Restore protects your personal files by not restoring any files in the My Documents folder or any files that use common data file name extensions, such as .doc or .xls. If a program was installed after the restore point that you are restoring to was created, the program might be uninstalled and you will need to reinstall the associated program.
  • Locates dates associated with restore points
    When you run System Restore, a calendar is displayed to help you find dates associated with restore points.
  • Ensures that all restorations are reversible
    You can undo the restoration or select another restore point if you are not satisfied with your computer's state. All successful restorations are reversible.

To open System Restore

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.

Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup helps free up space on your hard drive. When running an operating system as complex as Windows, you may not always know the significance of all the files on your computer. Sometimes Windows uses files for a specific purpose and then retains them in a folder designated for temporary files. Alternatively, you may have previously installed Windows components that you are no longer using. For a variety of reasons, including running out of space on your hard drive, you may want to reduce the number of files on your disk or create more free space if this can be done without harming any of your programs.

To open Disk Cleanup

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

Disk Defragmenter

Disk Defragmenter consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each item occupies a single, contiguous space. When files are updated, the computer tends to save these updates on the largest continuous space on the hard disk, which is often on a different sector than the other parts of the file. When files become fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk each time the file is opened to find all of the file's parts, which slows down response time. When you run the Disk Defragmenter tool, your system can gain access to your files and folders and save new ones more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter also consolidates the hard disk's free space, making it less likely that new files will be fragmented.

To open Disk Defragmenter

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.

Enjoy Windows XP Starter Edition Now!

Thank you for reading the Windows XP Getting Started Guide. Now that you understand the basics of successfully using and enjoying Windows XP, try new things. Speak with your friends and family and share what you have learned. Working together and teaching one another is a powerful tool. Enjoy the world of Windows XP Starter Edition!

 


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