Windows XP for Dummies

_______________Introduction

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your times of need. Keep a doughnut or Pokémon card nearby, however, just in case you need a quick bribe.

How This Book Is Organized

The information in this book has been well sifted. This book contains five parts, and I divided each part into chapters relating to the part’s theme. With an even finer knife, I divided each chapter into short sec- tions to help you figure out a bit of Windows XP’s weirdness. Some- times, you may find what you’re looking for in a small, boxed tip. Other times, you may need to cruise through an entire section or chapter. It’s up to you and the particular task at hand. Here are the categories (the envelope, please):

Part I: Bare-Bones Windows XP Stuff

This book starts out with the basics. You find out how to turn on your computer and how to examine your computer’s parts and what Win- dows XP does to them. It explains all the Windows XP stuff that every- body thinks that you already know. It explains the new features in Windows XP, separating the wheat from the chaff while leaving out any thick, technical oatmeal. You discover whether your computer has enough oomph to run Windows XP. And you end this part (with great relief) by turning off your computer.

Part II: Making Windows XP Do Something

Windows XP leaps onto the screen with a snappy beat and overly excited videos. But how do you make the darn thing do something use-

ful. Here, you find ways to overcome the frustratingly playful tenden-

cies of Windows XP and force it to sweep leaves off the driveway or empty the dishwasher.