Windows XP Headaches: How to Fix Common (and Not So Common) Problems in a Hurry, Second Edition

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ISBN: 9780072259209 | 0072259205
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 2/16/2005

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Tired of putting up with Windows XP migraines? Here's just the remedy you need. Arranged by ailment, this diagnostic tool helps you pinpoint and treat your problems quickly and easily. The book is packed with potent cures for a variety of anxieties related to everything from the display settings and start menu to software and utilities to hardware and peripherals to Internet connections and networking--and much more. You'll also find fully up-to-date coverage of Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the latest multimedia tools including Windows Media Player 10. So, say goodbye to your Windows XP headaches and start enjoying peak system performance.

Acknowledgments

xxi

Introduction

xxiii

Windows XP Interface Headaches

(30)

Display Setting Headaches

(12)

Colors on my screen do not look good

(2)

Everything on my desktop is too small or too big

(1)

My display seems distorted at times

(1)

My desktop fonts are too small

(1)

I don't like my screen saver, or my screen saver does not work the way I want it to

(1)

Whenever I stop using my computer, it returns to the logon screen

(1)

The My Pictures screen saver does not work right

(1)

My desktop wallpaper does not look right

(1)

I don't want to use wallpaper on my desktop---I want a color background only

(1)

Icons do not appear on my desktop

(1)

The Desktop Cleanup Wizard keeps running without my permission

(1)

Windows XP will not let me display a web page on my desktop

(1)

Windows Theme Headaches

(2)

Windows XP lists my XP theme as ``Windows XP (Modified).'' What is wrong?

(1)

I can't get the Windows XP theme back after making changes

(1)

Start Menu Headaches

(7)

Windows XP keeps putting stuff on the Start menu without my permission

(1)

I want to control which items appear on the Start menu, but Windows XP will not let me

(2)

I use Netscape instead of Internet Explorer, but Netscape does not appear on my Start menu

(1)

The Start menu does not list all of the programs I like to use

(1)

I want to make a document appear permanently on the Start menu

(1)

I can't drag and drop items on the Start menu

(1)

My Control Panel icons do not appear as menu items on the Start menu

(1)

Taskbar Headaches

(2)

I can't get the taskbar to do what I want

(2)

How can I make the taskbar stay in one place?

(1)

Power Configuration Headaches

(2)

Windows XP keeps turning the monitor off

(1)

My computer does not hibernate

(1)

Notification Area Headaches

(4)

I don't like how the notification area behaves

(1)

Old stuff I no longer use keeps appearing in the notification area

(1)

Balloon Tips are driving me crazy!

(2)

Windows XP File and Folder Headaches

(18)

Folder Headaches

(8)

I can't create a new folder

(1)

Things in my folders are too big/small

(1)

Files in a folder do not tell the size, type, and so forth

(1)

I can't see the items I need on my folder toolbars

(1)

My folders do not look the way I want them to

(2)

My folders are taking up too much room on my hard disk, or I need to keep other users from looking in my folders

(2)

File Headaches

(2)

The wrong program opens a file

(1)

I copied a picture file from the Internet, but Windows cannot open it and does not seem to know that the file is a picture file

(1)

Offline Files Headaches

(2)

I can't get Offline Files to work

(1)

Offline Files does not synchronize the way I want it to

(1)

Recycle Bin Headaches

(2)

I accidentally put stuff I need in the Recycle Bin

(1)

I accidentally emptied the Recycle Bin, but I need the items back

(1)

My Recycle Bin keeps items for too long, taking up too much disk space

(1)

Every time I put an item in the Recycle Bin, Windows gives me the Are You Sure box. How can I get rid of this confirmation box?

(1)

I don't want Windows to put items in the Recycle Bin---I want them automatically deleted

(1)

Cleaning Up the Junk

(3)

How can I get rid of temporary files?

(1)

Does my PreFetch Folder slow me down?

(1)

Windows XP User Headaches

(20)

User Headaches

(8)

I can't create a new user account

(2)

I can't delete an account

(1)

I can't make a limited account become an administrator account

(1)

My account does not work with .NET Passport

(1)

I want a second person to be able to use the computer without the first person having to log out completely

(1)

I don't want to use the Welcome screen

(1)

Password Headaches

(5)

Users are able to log on without passwords

(1)

I can't enforce password restrictions

(2)

When I try to reset a password, a message appears telling me that data will be lost

(2)

Account Feature Headaches

(6)

I don't like the account icon feature

(2)

I can't stop a user from logging on without deleting the account

(1)

I can't configure account lockout and other advanced account management features

(3)

Windows XP Accessory and Software Headaches

(18)

Difficulties with Software

(13)

I can't install a program

(2)

I can't remove a program

(1)

I can't remove a program with Add / Remove Programs

(1)

When I uninstall a program, I receive warnings about shared files

(1)

I need to use an older program that is not compatible with Windows XP

(3)

I need to stop using compatibility settings on a certain program

(2)

Windows XP keeps downloading stuff from Windows Update without my permission

(2)

Removing Spyware and Adware

(1)

Controlling Startup Programs

(3)

Too many programs start when Windows XP starts

(3)

Windows XP Hardware Headaches

(20)

Installing and Uninstalling Hardware

(8)

I can't connect my new device to my computer

(1)

I don't know if a device I bought will work with Windows XP

(1)

Windows XP does not detect my new device

(3)

I can't use an older hardware device with Windows XP

(1)

I can't uninstall a device

(1)

Solving Problems with Drivers

(5)

I don't know how to install a new driver

(3)

I installed a new driver, but now the device does not work, or does not work well

100

(1)

I need to download a new driver, but Internet Explorer will not let me

100

(1)

Managing Hardware

101

(6)

My device does not act the way I want it to

101

(1)

I need to stop a device from working without uninstalling it

102

(1)

My USB scanner does not work

102

(1)

Devices and PC cards used on my laptop computer keep draining the battery when I am not connected to a power source

103

(4)

Windows XP Disk Headaches

107

(24)

Problems with Hard Disks

108

(15)

My drive is not an NTFS drive

109

(1)

My computer's hard disk is running out of space

110

(3)

My hard disk seems to behave erratically, or I get error messages

113

(2)

My hard disk makes strange noises

115

(1)

My hard disk reads and writes data very slowly

115

(2)

My computer is not able to boot, and I see ``disk missing'' messages

117

(1)

One of my hard disks does not work

117

(2)

I can't create a new partition

119

(3)

All of my disks are listed as ``basic.''

122

(1)

Difficulties with Floppy Disks

123

(4)

I can't open a floppy disk

124

(1)

When I try to open a floppy disk, an error message appears

125

(1)

I want to use NTFS on my hard disk, but I'm afraid that will prevent my system from being able to read floppy disks, which are formatted with FAT

125

(1)

A floppy disk will not hold a file I need to move to another computer

126

(1)

Problems with CD and DVD-ROM Drives

127

(4)

Windows Media Player keeps opening automatically when I insert a CD

127

(1)

I can't hear any sound when I play a DVD

128

(1)

When I try to play my DVD, the screen becomes black

129

(1)

I receive a region error message when I try to use the DVD player

129

(2)

Windows XP Peripheral Headaches

131

(14)

Windows XP Peripheral Problems

132

(13)

My keyboard does not work

132

(1)

The keyboard works too slowly

133

(1)

My cursor blinks too fast/slow

134

(1)

My keyboard one-touch buttons do not work

135

(1)

Because of a disability, I can't use my keyboard correctly. How can I get help?

136

(1)

My mouse keeps sticking

137

(1)

I am left-handed, and I find right-clicking difficult

138

(1)

Double-clicking does not work well

139

(1)

My mouse pointer is too small/large

140

(2)

My mouse pointer creates a trailing effect when I move it

142

(1)

My mouse pointer disappears when I am typing

142

(1)

My mouse wheel makes entire pages scroll by

143

(1)

I am having problems with a wireless mouse/keyboard

143

(2)

Windows XP Printer, Scanner, and Camera Headaches

145

(16)

Printer Setup Problems

146

(6)

Windows XP does not detect my printer

147

(2)

I cannot get an older printer to work with Windows XP

149

(1)

My USB printer does not work, even though other USB devices connected to the USB hub work

150

(1)

I can't connect to a network printer

150

(2)

Solving Printing Problems

152

(6)

My printer prints garbled text

152

(1)

A certain file will not print

153

(1)

No documents or files are printing, even though the printer was working fine previously

153

(1)

I can't stop a document from printing

154

(1)

My printer color or fonts do not look good

154

(1)

My printer works very slowly

155

(1)

My computer stops responding when I print something and begins to respond again only when the print job is finished

155

(1)

My printer keeps printing in landscape instead of portrait orientation

156

(1)

I can't share my printer so that other users on my network can use it

157

(1)

I want to make a shared printer available only at certain times, but I can't do it without also restricting myself

157

(1)

Solving Problems with Scanners and Cameras

158

(3)

I can't get my scanner or camera to install

159

(1)

My scanner/camera does not work correctly or works only intermittently

160

(1)

Windows XP Internet Connection Headaches

161

(22)

Windows XP Internet Connection Headaches

162

(10)

I don't know how to create an Internet connection

163

(1)

Which ISP Should I Use?

163

(4)

I do not want other users accessing my Internet connection, but they can

167

(1)

I need to configure more than one dial-up number

168

(2)

I am having problems with dialing options or idle time hang-up

170

(1)

Dial-up to my corporate network requires additional security settings that I do not understand

171

(1)

I need a different connection to work as the default connection

171

(1)

Solving Problems with Modems

172

(5)

When my modem dials, the connection noise is too loud

172

(1)

My modem seems to be really slow when I am sending data

173

(1)

My modem keeps disconnecting after a certain period of idle time. My connection is not set to disconnect if idle

174

(1)

My connection requires different compression and flow control settings. How can I change these?

175

(1)

Downloading information from the Internet is slow

176

(1)

My modem works sporadically or keeps disconnecting randomly

176

(1)

My modem keeps dialing a 1 in front of my ISP's number, or it does/does not dial the area code

177

(1)

Problems with Windows Firewall

177

(6)

I don't know how to turn on Windows Firewall

178

(1)

I want to see what Windows Firewall is dropping from the Internet

179

(1)

I use firewall exceptions when I use my laptop at home, but when I travel, I do not want to allow exceptions. How can I easily configure this?

180

(3)

Windows XP Internet Explorer Headaches

183

(24)

IE Connection Problems

184

(7)

I get a Cannot Find Server message

185

(1)

IE provides intermittent pages, but fails on many others

186

(1)

I have two Internet connections, but IE automatically dials the one I do not want to use

187

(1)

IE does not automatically dial my Internet connection, or I do not want IE to dial a connection

187

(2)

IE dials a connection, even when I have a different connection established or when using a broadband connection

189

(1)

I cannot configure IE to connect through a proxy server or broadband hardware

189

(2)

Solving IE Configuration Problems

191

(9)

I don't like the setup of the IE toolbar

191

(1)

I want IE to use a different default home page

192

(1)

I want IE to keep more temporary Internet files, or I want IE to not use temporary Internet files

193

(1)

I want IE to keep History entries for a longer/shorter period of time

194

(1)

I want to stop pornographic or violent content from being displayed in IE

194

(3)

IE keeps trying to complete web addresses and forms for me

197

(1)

Whenever I click the Mail icon in IE, Outlook Express opens, but I use another program

198

(1)

When printing from IE, I don't want background colors and images to print

199

(1)

Managing Internet Explorer Security

200

(7)

IE keeps telling me that sites and/or actions are not allowed

200

(2)

I need to make sure a certain site is blocked

202

(1)

Cookies are being blocked without my permission

203

(2)

Pop-up windows are driving me crazy

205

(2)

Outlook Express Headaches

207

(22)

Problems with Outlook Express Connections

208

(5)

I can't set up an account

209

(2)

I can't change information about my account without creating a new account

211

(1)

I always have to type my password when I am trying to download mail

212

(1)

Solving Problems Using Outlook Express

213

(9)

When I try to download mail, I sometimes get a server timeout message

213

(1)

I can't get a new mail message I am creating to show me a Blind Carbon Copy field

214

(1)

I can't use stationery, fonts, or colors in my messages

214

(1)

I can't send an encrypted or digitally signed message

215

(1)

I can't read or send a message in a different language

216

(1)

I can't remove the preview pane

216

(2)

I don't like the appearance of e-mail that I read/ compose

218

(1)

I am afraid to open e-mail attachments because they could contain viruses

219

(1)

My news messages keep disappearing every few days

220

(1)

My Internet program keeps disconnecting after I send or receive mail

221

(1)

Solving Problems with Mail Management

222

(7)

I can't stop someone from sending me e-mail

223

(1)

I accidentally put someone on the blocked senders list

223

(2)

I can't create a mail/news rule

225

(4)

Windows XP Networking Headaches

229

(36)

Problems with Network Setup and Access

230

(15)

I can't get my wired network set up

233

(2)

I can't get my wireless network set up

235

(1)

I can't install additional clients on my network

236

(2)

I need to set up Windows network clients that are not Windows XP clients

238

(1)

I can't configure networking with a Linux or Macintosh computer

238

(1)

My computer does not connect to the network. All other networked computers are functioning correctly

239

(4)

I need to use a different IP address configuration on my network

243

(2)

I get an ``access denied'' message when I try to access another computer on my network

245

(1)

Difficulties with Network Shares

245

(7)

I want to see all of the shares available on a particular computer or on my network

245

(2)

I am having problems sharing a folder (or a printer, a drive, or another device)

247

(1)

The options on the Sharing tab are grayed out

248

(1)

I can't configure NTFS permissions

249

(1)

I have configured specific permissions, but users still have full access to my share

250

(1)

I have shared folders on my computer, but no one can access my computer. I can access other computers with no trouble

251

(1)

Aggravations with Internet Connection Sharing

252

(6)

I did not set up ICS when I first configured my network, but I want to use it now. How can I configure it?

253

(1)

When I try to enable ICS, a message appears telling me that my user name and password are not saved for all users

254

(1)

When I try to configure a computer for Internet Connection Sharing, I receive a message telling me there is an IP address conflict

255

(1)

Users can disconnect the ICS Internet connection and I don't want them to be able to control the connection

256

(1)

The ICS computer does not dial a connection when a network user needs it

256

(1)

ICS dial-up connections are slow

257

(1)

My e-mail does not work with ICS

257

(1)

No clients can use the ICS computer

258

(1)

Pains with Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance

258

(7)

Remote Desktop

258

(1)

I can't use Remote Desktop

259

(1)

Remote Desktop does not work with Windows Firewall

260

(1)

I need to connect to a Remote Desktop computer from a Windows computer that does not use Windows XP Professional Edition

261

(1)

Remote Desktop is slow

261

(1)

Remote Assistance

262

(1)

I can't create a Remote Assistance invitation

263

(1)

I want to use Remote Assistance, but I don't want the user to be able to control my computer

264

(1)

Media Player Headaches

265

(20)

Configuring the Interface

266

(6)

The menu bar keeps disappearing

266

(1)

Windows Media Player always opens in skin mode

267

(1)

I can't use the More Skins option

268

(2)

I don't know how to manage visualizations

270

(1)

I don't want to see the anchor window when I'm in skin mode

271

(1)

Music and Movie Difficulties

272

(6)

My CD player will not play CD music

272

(2)

My system's CD playback does not sound good

274

(1)

The quality of a video clip I'm playing is poor

274

(2)

I am having performance problems with streaming media

276

(1)

I can't play a DVD with Windows Media Player because of a decoder problem

277

(1)

Media Library Aggravations

278

(4)

I can't add CD music to Media Library

278

(2)

I can't figure out how to create a playlist

280

(1)

I can't import/export a playlist from another Windows Media Player

281

(1)

Problems Ripping Music

282

(3)

The defaults for the Rip feature do not work the way I want them to

282

(1)

The View Album Info feature of Copy Music does not work

283

(1)

The music ripping process takes too long or takes up too much disk space

284

(1)

Burning and Syncing Music

284

(1)

Movie Maker 2 Headaches

285

(10)

Difficulties with Video

286

(4)

Movie Maker doesn't recognize my capture device

287

(1)

Movie Maker works very slowly

288

(1)

I don't know what capture device I need

288

(1)

I upgraded to Windows XP and now my capture device does not work

289

(1)

I can't copy or record a commercial movie

289

(1)

When I record, I cannot hear the audio

289

(1)

I'm having problems with my video capture device, or I receive a message telling me that the device is already in use

289

(1)

Problems Editing Video

290

(3)

I can't create a trim point

290

(1)

The Truth about Capture Devices

290

(1)

Trimming seems to throw away the pieces of the movie I want

291

(1)

I can't split a clip

291

(1)

I can't combine two clips

292

(1)

I can't create a transition

292

(1)

Annoyances with Audio

293

(1)

I can't import an audio file

293

(1)

I can't record narration

293

(1)

Audio levels on the movie track and my narration are not good

294

(1)

Aggravations with File Types

294

(1)

Tools and Utility Headaches

295

(20)

I can't get my computer to play any sound

296

(1)

My microphone does not work

297

(1)

My computer plays sound, but works erratically or the computer locks up

298

(1)

I use the Volume Control feature in my notification area, but the microphone volume does not appear

298

(1)

My computer shows the wrong date/time

299

(1)

My computer does not automatically adjust for daylight savings time

300

(1)

I want my computer to automatically run Disk Cleanup, or automatically run another utility

300

(1)

A scheduled task does not run

301

(2)

Disk Defragmenter does not completely defragment my hard drive

303

(1)

Disk Defragmenter stops working before it is finished

303

(1)

Error-checking stops working

303

(1)

I need to easily move files and/or settings from one computer to my XP computer

304

(4)

I think I may have unsigned digital files on my computer

308

(1)

I am having problems with DirectX

309

(1)

System Restore does not work

310

(1)

I can't back up data

311

(4)

Performance Headaches

315

(16)

Windows XP Performance Problems

316

(9)

My computer runs too slowly

316

(2)

My computer once worked great, but opening and closing files now takes a long time

318

(1)

My computer barely has enough RAM, but I cannot upgrade

318

(3)

Sometimes my computer works well and other times it seems very slow

321

(2)

The Truth About Virtual Memory

323

(1)

My computer boots very slowly

324

(1)

Application Performance Problems

325

(3)

An application makes my computer run very slowly

325

(1)

My computer cannot run multiple applications at the same time

326

(1)

I have an application that locks up

326

(1)

I have an application that locks up repeatedly

327

(1)

Aggravations with Printing Performance

328

(2)

Printing slows my computer's responsiveness down

328

(1)

I lose control of my computer until printing is finished

328

(1)

Windows XP and Lockups

328

(1)

My printer's output does not look good

329

(1)

Performance Issues with Laptops

330

(1)

Battery power runs down quickly

330

(1)

Colors are difficult to see on the LCD screen

330

(1)

Windows XP Migraine Headaches

331

(12)

Problems with Installation

332

(3)

My computer stops responding during installation

332

(1)

My computer gives me a file copy error message during installation

333

(1)

I receive a Stop message or an Error message during installation

334

(1)

I want to perform a clean installation

334

(1)

I upgraded to Windows XP from Windows 98/Windows Me, but now my computer runs slowly

334

(1)

Problems with System Crashes and Boot Failures

335

(6)

Don't Dig Your Own Installation Grave

335

(1)

My computer has stopped responding

336

(1)

My system has crashed; and upon reboot, it gives me an error message

336

(2)

I have tried to use System Restore, but now the system does not work well or I receive error messages

338

(1)

I have tried to use System Restore, but now my computer will not boot

339

(1)

I installed a new device driver, and now the computer will not boot

340

(1)

My computer fails during bootup

340

(1)

When I try to boot my computer, a message appears that says ``Invalid System Disk.''

341

(1)

One of my applications keeps crashing

341

(1)

Problems with Activation

341

(2)

I am having trouble connecting to the Internet for activation

342

(1)

APPENDIX A Curt's Top 20 Windows XP Headaches

343

(14)

20: My printer/scanner used to work fine, but now that I've upgraded to Windows XP, it does not work or does not work well

344

(1)

19: I want to use the New Technology File System (NTFS) because Windows XP is optimized for it, but my hard disk is a FAT32 drive

344

(1)

18: Windows Update keeps trying to connect to the Web and download stuff without my permission

345

(1)

17: Windows XP keeps turning itself off when I leave it idle

346

(1)

16: I don't like the appearance of Windows XP, or I am having difficulty managing the Start menu

347

(1)

15: Folder views use large icons that require me to scroll around a lot

348

(1)

14: I can't find the encryption or Remote Desktop features in Windows XP Home Edition

348

(1)

13: My network does not work

348

(1)

12: On my ICS network, network users can control the Internet connection

349

(1)

11: On my network, I can access all other computers, but none can access mine

349

(1)

10: Internet Explorer will not let me view certain sites due to ``security settings.''

350

(1)

9: My modem keeps hanging up when there is idle time

350

(1)

8: The Internet is too slow

351

(1)

7: On a Windows XP Professional computer, I cannot configure individual NTFS permissions for a share

352

(1)

6: My wireless network does not work

353

(1)

5: Certain applications do not work on Windows XP

353

(1)

4: Windows XP performs tasks slowly

354

(1)

3: Windows XP will not boot, or a new configuration causes the system to crash

355

(1)

2: A hardware device will not work with Windows XP

355

(1)

1: Windows XP keeps giving me a permissions message instead of letting me perform certain actions

356

(1)

APPENDIX B Four Signs You Need Help from Technical Support

357

(2)

Your Computer Often Locks Up/Acts Strangely

358

(1)

You Get the Blue Screen of Death

358

(1)

Windows XP Makes No Attempt to Boot/Fails to Boot

358

(1)

A Hardware Device Will Not Work

358

(1)

APPENDIX C Five Things Computer Users Do That Cause Headaches!

359

(4)

Use the Internet Without Antivirus Software

360

(1)

Change Settings Randomly

360

(1)

Fail to Read Device Instructions

360

(1)

Use Incompatible Software

360

(1)

Upgrade to Windows XP Without Doing Your Homework

361

(2)

APPENDIX D Service Pack 2 Headaches

363

(8)

Some of my programs do not work now that SP2 is installed

364

(1)

Windows Firewall does not allow some programs to work

364

(3)

The Windows Security Center doesn't appear in my Notification Area

367

(1)

I don't want the Security Center in my Notification Area

367

(1)

My wireless network is giving me difficulties

368

(1)

I'm having problems with some hardware

369

(2)

Index

371

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Windows XP Headaches: How to Fix Common (and Not So Common) Problems in a Hurry, Second Edition

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials