About the Book
Take charge of Windows 98—faster,
smarter, better!
From building a home network to choosing
a new DVD burner, now you can use Microsoft® Windows® 98—faster,
smarter, and better. Dive in—for the latest, most-up-to-date information
on this popular operating system. Teach yourself exactly what you need
using quick lists, numbered steps, and helpful examples. Accelerate your
productivity—and move on to doing the cool things you want to do!
• Run the latest devices and software—or
the classics
• Manage your e-mail and your online privacy
• Build a network and share an Internet
connection
• Dial in from the road or set up a VPN
• Help disarm viruses, hackers, and other
threats
• Make amazing digital photo prints at
home
• Trick out your system to run screamin’
fast games
• Keep your PC healthy and up to date
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
vii
Introduction ix
CHAPTER 1: Making Windows Work for
You 1
Which
Windows? 2
A Quick
Lap Around Windows 98 2
Instant
Gratification: 5½ Ways to Make Windows Easier Right Now 5
Starting
and Stopping 9
Deciphering
the Start Menu 12
Customizing
the Start Menu 18
Taskbars
Translated Here 19
CHAPTER 2: Covering the Desktop
25
The Desktop
Icons 25
Making
and Using Shortcuts 31
Windows
Explorer and My Computer 36
Changing
the Desktop Display 38
Choosing
Screen Savers 42
Help
on the Spot 44
Help
on the Web 46
CHAPTER 3: Running Programs
49
Opening
and Switching Between Programs 49
Closing
Programs 52
Installing
Software 55
Uninstalling
Software 58
Running
Non-Windows 98 Programs 59
Essential
Software That's Free (or Cheap) 64
CHAPTER 4: Working with Files and Folders
67
Using
Folders 67
Selecting
Files and Folders 78
The Association
Between Files and Programs 79
Copying
and Moving Files and Folders 83
Learning
to Recycle 84
Working
with Floppy Disks 90
CHAPTER 5: What IS That File?
93
What
You See on the Hard Disk Drive 93
File
Name Extensions and What They Mean 97
Meet
the Registry 97
Registry
Tricks 99
Getting
Rid of Unnecessary Files 103
Files
You Must Not Delete 106
CHAPTER 6: Fearless Web Browsing
111
Choosing
an ISP 111
Using
the Internet Connection Wizard 115
Connecting
and Disconnecting from the Internet 117
Getting
Around with Internet Explorer 120
Keeping
Track of Web Pages 124
Searching
on the Web 132
Downloading
Files 135
CHAPTER 7: Using E-mail and Newsgroups
137
Setting
Up and Personalizing Outlook Express 138
Reading
E-mail 147
Writing
and Formatting E-mail 153
Using
the Address Book 156
Dealing
with Large Amounts of E-mail 159
Newsgroups:
All the News That's Fit to Print (and Then Some) 167
CHAPTER 8: Printing
173
Installing
and Removing Printers 173
Getting
the Most from Your Printer 175
Managing
the Print Queue 182
Installing
and Using a Network Printer 184
CHAPTER 9: Conquering Computer Hardware
189
Hardware
and Windows 98 189
Using
the Device Manager 190
Adding
a USB Port 193
Installing
a Scanner 194
Connecting
a Digital Camera 194
Configuring
Modems 196
Configuring
ISDN 200
Making
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and Cable Connections 201
Display
Hardware and Settings 202
Changing
a Mouse 207
Working
with Game Controllers 207
Hardware
Profiles 209
CHAPTER 10: Making Use of Control Panel
Tools 211
Training
a Mouse 211
Using
Keyboard Options 215
Improving
Accessibility 217
Multimedia
Means Audio and Video 220
Using
Media Player 223
CHAPTER 11: Playing It Safe
227
Stopping
Hackers and Viruses 227
Maintaining
Your Privacy 229
E-mail
Security 240
Safe
Shopping 243
Cover
Your Tracks 245
Restricting
Access to Objectionable Content 248
CHAPTER 12: Maintaining a Healthy Computer
251
Keeping
Your Software Updated 251
Housecleaning
252
Optimizing
System Performance 256
Backing
Up Your Files 269
Dealing
with Startup Problems 279
Dealing
with Shutdown Problems 285
CHAPTER 13: Building and Using a Network
287
Before
You Begin: Designing a Network 288
Building
a Network 293
Sharing
Files on a Network 302
Testing
and Troubleshooting a Network 304
Protecting
a Network from Hackers 308
CHAPTER 14: Connecting from Home or
On the Road 313
Working
with Dial-Up Connections 313
Working
with VPN Connections 316
Dialing
In to Your Computer While Away 321
INDEX 325 |
