|
Windows Vista Annoyances
Windows Vista may be the next big thing, but it still
contains enough quirks and unaccountable behaviors to vex
anyone. This unique guide not only discusses the most
irritating features of the latest Microsoft operating system
and how to get around them, but also explains how to improve
Windows and do more with the software
than Microsoft
intended. You'll find information on setup, installation,
upgrade from other Windows versions, the revamped interface,
new security features, user accounts, troubleshooting, and
the markedly improved Internet Explorer 7. Other chapters
cover a wide range of key topics:
Media Center - tips on photos, videos, music, TV tuners, HD,
and the media center engine
The Registry - explains the background and tools for working
with Windows' database of settings
Tinkering Techniques - offers hacking-style customization
and problem-solving topics
Networking and Wireless - includes LAN setup, WiFi sniffers
and access points, connection sharing, firewalls, routers,
and FTP
Scripting and Automation - introduces simple programming
using the Windows Scripting Host for automating repetitive
tasks
No other book takes our patented cranky, solutions-oriented
approach. Our collection of tips, tools and techniques will
improve your experience with Windows Vista, so you can
control the OS -- rather than the other way around.
CONTENTS:
Preface
1. Get Started with Windows Vista
Editions of Vista
More Than This
Install Windows Vista
Install Vista on a New (Clean) System
Upgrade from a Previous Version
Potential Problems During Setup
Set Up a Dual-Boot System
Migration to Windows Vista
Sentimental Fool
2. Shell Tweaks
Customize Windows Explorer
Force Explorer to Remember Its Own Settings
Start Explorer with Any Folder
Get to the Desktop
Save Your Desktop Layout
Quick Access to Control Panel
Who Doesn't Love Keyboard Shortcuts?
Massage the Start Menu
Clean Up the Tray
Make Your Own Windows Startup Logo
Working with Files and Folders
Why It Takes So Long to Copy Files
Slicker Ways to Select Files
Take Charge of Drag-Drop
Copy or Move to a Specified Path
More Ways to Rename Files
Delete In-Use Files
Zip It Up
Customize Drive and Folder Icons
Search Tricks
3. The Registry
The Registry Editor
The Structure of the Registry
The Meat of the Registry: Values
Registry Tasks and Tools
Search the Registry
Search and Replace Registry Data
Find the Registry Key That Does . . .
Create an Interface for a Registry Setting
Export and Import Data with Registry Patches
Prevent Changes to a Registry Key
Back Up the Registry
File Type Associations
Anatomy of a File Type
Change the Icon for All Files of a Type
Customize Context Menus for Files
Lock Your File Types
Expand the Scope of Your File Types
Customize Windows Explorer's New Menu
Fix Internet Shortcuts
4. Working with Media
Playing Video
Repair Broken and Incomplete Videos
Fix Other Playback Problems
Simplify Your Media Players
Handling Online Video
Rewind or Fast-Forward Streaming Video
Control Video Buffering
Download Online Video Clips
Sound and Music
Get Sound Where There Is None
Get Windows to Listen
Fix Garbled Music
Crossfade Your Music
Extract Sound from Video
Convert Audio Files
Fix Music Tags
Photos, Pictures, Images
Choose a New Pictures Folder
Get Thumbnails for RAW Photos
Get Rid of the Windows Photo Gallery
Get Accurate Color Output
Sort Photos Chronologically
Media Center Annoyances
Watch TV on Your TV
Fix Broken TV Listings
CD and DVD Drives
Troubleshoot CD and DVD Playback Problems
5. Performance
Trim the Fat
Tame Mindless Animation and Display Effects
Make Menus More Mindful
Start Windows in Less Time
Start Windows Instantly (Almost)
Shut Down Windows Quickly
Start Applications Faster
Make Your Hardware Perform
Get Glass
Maximize the Windows Performance Rating
Improve Battery Life
Manage IRQ Priority
Overclock Your Processor
Hard Disk
A Defragmentation Crash Course
If in Doubt, Throw It Out
Optimize Virtual Memory and Cache Settings
Choose the Right Filesystem
Advanced NTFS Settings
Transfer Windows to Another Hard Disk
Work with Partitions
6. Troubleshooting
Crashes and Error Messages
Viruses, Malware, and Spyware
What to Do When Windows Won't Start
Manage Startup Programs
Check Your Drive for Errors with Chkdsk
What to Do When a Program Crashes
What to Do When a Program Won't Start
Green Ribbon of Death
Blue Screen of Death
Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware Troubleshooting
How to Add Hardware
Interpret Device Manager Errors
Go Back in Time with Restore Points and Shadow Copies
Test for Bad Memory (RAM)
Don't Overlook the Power Supply
Fix USB Power Management Issues
Fix Printer Problems
Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery
Patch Windows with Windows Update
Quick, On-the-Fly Backups
Back Up Your Entire System
Recover Your System After a Crash
7. Networking and Internet
Build Your Network
Terminology Primer
To Wire or Not to Wire
Set Up a Wireless Router
Sniff Out WiFi Hotspots
Troubleshoot Wireless Networks
Lock Out Unauthorized PCs
Connect to a Public Wireless Network
Add Wireless Support to Any Device
Get Bluetooth to Work
Troubleshoot Network Connections
Test an IP Address
Internet Me
Share an Internet Connection
Test Your Throughput
Do Download Accelerators Really Work?
Set Up Virtual Private Networking
Control Your PC Remotely
Manage the Nameserver (DNS) Cache
Secure Your Networked PC
Close Vista's Backdoors
The Security Center and the Firewall
Set Up the Windows Firewall
Scan Your System for Open Ports
Web and Email
Lock Down Internet Explorer
Change Internet Shortcut Icons
Live with Firefox in an IE World
Fix Symbols in Web Pages
Fix Broken Pictures in Web Pages
Improve Any Web Site
Put an End to Pop Ups
Solve the Blank Form Mystery
Stop Annoying Animations
Opt Out of Tabbed Browsing
Surf Anonymously
Change the Default Email Reader
Stop Spam
Send Large Files
Email Long URLs
8. Users and Security
Manage User Accounts
Permissions and Security
Set Permissions for a File or Folder
Protect Your Files with Encryption
Control User Account Control
Logon and Profile Options
Hide the List of User Accounts
Log In Automatically
Reset a Forgotten Administrator Password
Prevent Users from Shutting Down
Log In As the Administrator
Customize the Welcome Screen Background
Customize the Default Profile for New Users
Rename Your Profile Folder
Change the Locations of Personal Folders
Share Files and Printers
Share a Folder
Access a Shared Folder Remotely
Turn Off Administrative Shares
Share a Printer
Use a Print Server Without Software
Stop Sharing Scheduled Tasks
9. Scripting and Automation
Windows Script Host
Build a VBScript Script
Use Variables to Store and Manipulate Information
Give Your Scripts an Interface with the InputBox and MsgBox Commands
Creating Interactive Scripts with Conditional Statements
Using Loops, Using Loops, Using Loops
Make Building Blocks with Subroutines and Functions
Object References
How to Run Applications
How to Access the Registry
How to Manipulate Files
How to Create Windows Shortcuts and Internet Shortcuts
How to Use the Network
How to Control Internet Explorer
How to Use Command-Line Parameters
How to Manage Windows Services
How to Write CGI Scripts for Web Servers
Decipher Script Errors
Find a Better Editor
Further Study
Make a Startup Script
Wacky Script Ideas
Quick and Dirty Backup Tool
Internet Fishtank
Quick SendTo Shortcut Creator
Rename Files with Search and Replace
Command Prompt Scripting
DOS Commands
Batch Files
Variables and the Environment
Flow Control
Command-Line Parameters
Conditional Statements
Loops
Simulating Subroutines
Get to the Command Prompt Quickly
Windows PowerShell
CmdLets and Aliases
Pipelines
PowerShell Variables
PowerShell Scripts
Automate Scripts with the Task Scheduler
A. BIOS Settings
B. TCP/IP Ports
Index
|
