Getting Started

Tour the Windows XP Desktop
Take a tour of the Windows XP desktop.  Includes an explanation of the task bars and standard desktop icons.
 

Check Your System Specs
Review the specification of your Windows XP machine, such as CPU speed, amount of memory, and harddrive size.
 

Customize Windows XP

Change Desktop Background in XP
Change your Windows XP background to one of several system supplied backgrounds or to the picture of your choice.

Move the Windows Task Bar
Learn how to relocate the Windows task bar or create a tool bar from the My Documents folder.

Change Display Resolution 
Change the display resolution on your Windows XP machine to change the size of the items that appear on your screen.

Changing Time Zones
Now that Indiana will be changing Time Zones, you will need to change yours from Indiana East to Eastern.

Check Daylight Saving Time Dates
Use TZEDIT to check your machine to make sure that it is using the correct dates for Daylight Saving Time.

Use the Quick Launch Tool Bar
The Quick Launch Tool Bar provides quick access to programs you use frequently.

Adjust Power Management in XP
Learn how to adjust the Power Management settings on your computer based on your needs.

Map a Network Drive
View this TechClip to learn how to map a network drive.

Turn Off System Restore
Turn off System Restore in Windows XP. This is useful when trying to clean a virus from your computer.

Turn On the XP Firewall
Turn on the Windows XP personal firewall to help protect your computer from outside threats.

Adding a User or Group to Your Local Administrator's Group
An administrator can install software and add devices to a computer so that everyone who uses the computer has access to it. If someone needs administrator access, they need to be part of the local administrator's group.

Printing from Windows XP

Establishing a Default Printer
Set the default printer to be used with your Windows XP computer.

Connect to a Network Printer
Establish a connection to a printer on the network.  You will need to know the ip address of the printer to set up the connection.

 

Delete or Restore Files

Permanently Delete Files
Permanently delete items from your computer by emptying the Recycle Bin.

Recover Deleted Files in XP
Retrieve a deleted file and have it go back to its original location on your computer by restoring it from the Recycle Bin.

 

Networking

Adding Your Computer to the BSU Domain
Adding your computer to the BSU domain gives you several advantages including being able to use your BSU username and password to logon to the machine, reducing the number of username/password combinations you have to keep track of. 

Find Host Name, Domain, and IP Address
Use the ipconfig command to find the host name, domain name, and ip address of your machine.

Finding Your MAC Address 
Find the MAC address of your Windows XP machine. The MAC address is sometimes referred to as the hardware address or physical address.

Setting up DHCP on a Windows XP Machine
Most campus computers connnect to the internet with an IP address that is generated by a DHCP server. Learn how to set up DHCP and then verify that it is working.

 

Maintaining Windows XP

Run Scan Disk to Fix Errors in XP
If Windows is giving error messages or your machine is locking up, run the Windows XP Scan Disk utility to check for and fix problems.

Running Windows Update on Windows XP
It is very important to download and install updates to Windows as they become available.

Remote Access

Enable Remote Assistance
By enabling Remote Assistance, you allow another person remote access to your computer for a limited time. During that time they can see what is on your screen and can use their mouse and keyboard to operate your computer. This is a great way to get help to resolve simple issues.

Enable Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop allows you to access files on your office computer when you are at home or somewhere other than your office.

Working with Java

Download and Install Java
Many web-based application require an updated version of Java to run properly. Learn how to download and install the latest version.

Update Java and Set it to Auto-Update
Access the Java Control Panel and set Java so that it will automatically update.

 

Apple QuickTime Player

Update QuickTime and Set it to Auto-Update
The next time you run the update for QuickTime, you might consider setting it to auto-update.

Remove the QuickTime Icon
If a QuickTime icon appears in the Windows System tray, it is using system resources.  This TechClips shows how to remove the icon.

Uninstall QuickTime
Use the Add/Remove programs utility to remove QuickTime from your Windows XP machine.