Flying Start

Posted on 1 Jul 2002 at 12:22

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Gallery

Error Reporting
When a system error occurs, Windows XP prompts you to send a report to Microsoft. This isn't mandatory, but it could help resolve your problems. It may also help Microsoft to resolve problems with future versions of Windows XP. You can send your error report anonymously, or provide an e-mail address in order to get feedback on your difficulties. If you'd prefer not to contact Microsoft, you can turn this prompt off by opening Control Panel, and selecting Performance and Maintenance, System, Advanced. Click the error-reporting button and select Disable error reporting.
Check your Firewall
Windows XP includes a firewall to protect you from hackers while you surf the Internet. To check that this is turned on, open Control Panel, Network Connections. Right-click the dial-up (modem, ADSL or cable) connection and select Advanced. Make sure that Internet Connection Firewall is enabled. Test it using ShieldsUp, the free service from Gibson Research at http://www.grc.com. XP's firewall should keep your PC in stealth mode, effectively invisible.
Enable Fax Support
Fax is not installed in the default Windows Setup, so open Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Add/Remove Windows Components and choose Fax Services. Setup installs the Fax support. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Fax, and then click Fax Console. With the help of the Fax Configuration Wizard, provide Sender information, select your Fax modem device and specify your fax IDs. Your system will now be ready to send or receive faxes.
More Windows Components
When you open Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel and select Windows Components, you'll see only a subset of the components available. Others, such as Windows Messenger, are left out by default. To rectify this situation, search for Sysoc.inf on your hard disk (specifying that you want to include hidden files and folders), and open it in Notepad. Replace the parameter ,hide, with ,, (two commas), and save the file. There'll now be an entry in Add/Remove Programs for every component.

Quick Picture Change
You'll find a picture associated with each user account, but you don't have to accept the one Windows XP provides for you. Click Start, and when the Start menu appears, click on the image that appears at the top. Windows XP will display a list of alternatives. You can choose a picture from the list, or browse for more pictures, such as digital photos, on your hard disk. Using Paint (which you'll find under Start, All Programs, Accessories), you can even create your own images. When you've chosen an image, click the Change Picture button, and close User Accounts. Click Start and you'll see your new picture there (and on the Logon screen).
Requirements for Windows XP
To run Windows XP, Microsoft says you need a 233MHz processor or higher (300MHz recommended), at least 64Mb RAM (128Mb recommended), and 1.5Gb of hard disk space. To see what resources you are using, you can right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager, then click Performance to monitor your processor and memory usage. If you really want to fly, you'll need 500MHz and 256Mb RAM or more.
Administrator Power
When you create a new User Account in Windows XP Home Edition, it is automatically assigned network Administrator powers. To limit the possibility of errors, you should create a second account with only User permissions. You can then log in as a User for your day-to-day activities, and as an Administrator only when it's necessary o to add new users and change system settings, for example.