PRACTICAL PROBLEMS ON WINDOWS XP

Adding or removing programs (I)

In addition to the operating system, computers have other programs installed. If one of them is not useful anymore and we want to delete it, Windows has the Adding or removing programs tool, because a program cannot be uninstalled by simply deleting the files manually, due to that when a program is installed Windows creates notes on the Windows Register.

The Windows Register is a file where the current conifguration of the system is saved, the hardware, software and the different user configurations.

If we only delete the files linked to the program, the records that Windows created on the Register are not removed, so an inconsistency can occur. If we don't know how to handle the Windows Register we shouldn't delete notes because we could create an inconsistency, which in some cases may be fatal.
An important change that emerges as a consequence of the new user system is that to install or uninstall programs a user has to have sufficient authorization. Only the users that belong to the group System Manager can do so.



ADDING NEW PROGRAMS


Click on the Start button and choose Control Panel
Click on Add or Remove Programs option, a window will display with the three basic options shown on the left side of the picture as it appears below. Then clic on Add New Programs.

In this option we have two basic posibilities:
1. - Adding programs from a CD-ROM or floppy. If the program we want to install is on a CD-ROM or on a floppy we will click on the CD or Floppy button and a screen will appear prompting us to introduce the CD or floppy in the corresponding drive.
From that moment the asistant will guide us during the installation process. Normally it will ask us questions regarding where the program is to be installed, we recommend to accept the folder that it suggests.
It can also ask us what options of the program we want to install, for example, if we want a traditional installation, minimal, or complete
This is one way to install a program from a CD, but in the majority of the cases it is not necessary, it is easier and quicker to just put the CD in and let the program in the CD drive do it automatically. The result is the same and we will save ourselves having to reach this screen to Add new programs.
In some cases the manufacturer has not provided an installation program and we need to install it manually from here.
2.- Adding programs from Microsoft. If what we want is to add or update a new Microsoft component we need to click on Add programs from Microsoft, this will cause the system to connect us to the appropriate web page through the Internet.
On this page we are informed of the updates that are available to download. Normally we will find updates related to three main subjects: security problems, Windows updates, and driver updates.
We need to determine which updates we want to install on our computer according to our configuration and what we use it for. In most cases it is recomendable to install the security updates since they will protect us from viruses. The viruses show the security flaws of Windows, Microsoft fixes these flaws and places on its page the needed updates.If you do not have an interned connection you will not be able to use this update system. In the advanced unit you can see with more detail how Windows Update works.

Modifying or removing programs
Click on the Start button and choose Control Panel
Click on Add or Remove Programs option, a window will display with the three basic options shown on the left side of the picture as it appears below. Then clic on Change or Remove Programs.

The Modify or delete programs option is shown on the upper left corner because it is the option that is most often used. On this screen the installed programs in our computer are displayed.ç
To select the program we want to change or remove we have to click on it. On the image above ANIO Service appears highlighted. Now we can do two things with this program:
modify its instalation or delete it.
To do this, we have two buttons, Change and Remove. Although normally only one button will appear, Change/Remove.
The normal thing is to delete the program since modifying a program is usually done within the program, not from this screen.
In fact, the majority of the programs only allow for the option Delete.

If we click Change/Remove we will begin the process of uninstalling the selected program. This process can vary slightly depending on the program at hand and at times we will be in a process specific to that program. Other times Windows will take care of the uninstalling process, but in general it is a simple process that only requires us to answer a few confirmation questions.
Even so, the first time that you do this, there could be a few doubts. In order to solve these doubts or questions, here you have an advanced unit to look at in the event it is Windows that is carrying out the process




AUTOMATIC UPDATE

The process of updating through Windows Update can be a bit long, which is why Microsoft has created an automatic update system. Basically this system consists in alerting the user if there are available updates each time the computer is turned on. In this case a message next to the task bar will appear and if the user wants, the download process can start. The download process is done on a different plane so that the user can continue working on other things.
When the downloads have finished the user is informed so that they can be checked and if any of the downloaded updates are to be installed the installation can begin.



ADDING NEW HARDWARE (I)

It is possible to add new physical components to our computer like a modem or a new monitor, just to name a few examples. For the new component to work, our operating system needs to detect it. Usually, Windows will detect the new hardware automatically, but in the event that it does not, Windows provides us with the tool Printers and Other Hardware that lets us install the new hardware correctly.
Currently many of the components that we install incorporate Plug & Play technology. This consists of transfering all the responsibility to the operating system, thus the operating system is in charge of detecting the new hardware and installing the neccessary programs for it to work properly. It also detects if we uninstall a component and uninstalling programs to free space
This is all possible because Plug&Play components incorporate common protocols that allow the operating system to communicate with them.
Many Plug&Play components can be connected and disconnected without having to turn the computer off, specially the ones that use the USB system.
The Plug&Play allows WindowsXP to control their power use so that you can turn them off or minimize their power consumption when not in use.
When new hardware is installed, the computer needs the files that descibe the hardware and allows the computer to communicate with it. These files are known as drivers.
When we buy a modem, for example, a CD is included that contains the drivers for the modem. When installing the modem, the operationg system asks you to insert the disk in order to copy the drivers.
Windows XP already has the drivers for the most commonly used equipment. There are thousands of hardware manufacturers, so it is impossible for Windows to have all the drivers in the install CD. Sometimes it will not be necessary to insert the disk provided by the manufacturer.
In addition, WindowsXP is now capable of going online to search for driver updates through Windows Update.
When we want to add new hardware to our computer, a monitor for example, two things can happen: either the component is Plug&Play or it is not. In the first case, as we have mentioned, simply connect the hardware and Windows will recognize and install it automatically. The Plug&Play elements are conveniently labeled, but in case of a doubt, we can find out by plugging it into the computer. If the window recognizes it, this means it is Plug&Play and if it does not, it is not.
In the case that the element is not Plug&Play we need to install it manually. For this reason we are provided with an assistant, which we will discuss shortly.
Generally speaking, once having installed a hardware element we may need to access it. This is done through the control panel. It is a good idea to be familiar with these options, because we may need to delete a driver and modify some of its characteristics.


From the Start menu access the Control panel, and as you can see above, there are various options for configuring hardware. WindowsXP has divided the hardware into various groups, and there are different ways to configure each group.
These groups are: Network, Sounds, Printer and other hardware, etc.
In this unit we will discuss how to add elements that are not Plug&Play and how to add a digital camara. Then we will discuss printers and networks



CONFIGURING THE PRINTER (I)

The printer is one of the most used peripherals. In this unit we will learn how to install and configure a printer.
Installing a Printer
As we have already seen in the unit before, it is very easy to install new hardware, such as printers, since the majority use Plug&Play technology. This allows the operating system to recognize the new printer by simply plugging it in.
Nevertheless, in some cases we may need to do the process manually. When we plug a printer into our computer it is necessary to install the appropriate drivers so that our computer will recognize it.
Next we will learn to install a printer manually and to customize it to our needs.
Open the Start menu
Select the option Printers and Faxes.
If you do not have the option Printers and faxes on your Start menu, you can also reach it through the Control Panel, option Printers and other hardware.



A screen like this one will appear.

If you select a printer on the contextual panel to the right it will show you the options that you see here: Add a printer, See what is printing, Select printing preferences, etc.
These tasks are the ones that are usually needed to handle a printer.
Now, click on the icon Add a printer to launch the assistant that will help you install a printer.

The assistant will be asking you questions such as if your printer is connected directly to your computer or if it is on the web, to which port it is connected to, and then a screen like the one shown below will be displayed so that you can choose the manufacturer and the type of printer so that Windows can install the appropriate software.

You can also use the disks provided by the manufacturer, if you have them, or search for the drivers through Windows Update.
In this unit´s advanced page you have this entire process in detail.




SYSTEM TOOLS (I)

Windows incorporates certain tools such as the Disk Defragmenter, the Disk Cleanup the tool to free disk space, the Scheduled Tasks, etc. Almost all of these tools are designed to optimize the behaviour of the computer.
Next we will learn in more detail about some of the most useful tools.

The Scandisk
This tool is used to search errors in the system´s units and to repair those errors.
When the computer is turned off in an abrupt manner it is possible that some files may be damage. Normally when the computer is turned on after being turned off abruptly (without using the option shut down from the Start menu) the Scandisk is launched to check the system and repair any error that it may find.
This tool is usually used when we have a damaged disk. By using it we can fix the possible errors and therefore retrieve the information that it contains. Keep in mind that this tool is not a miracle worker and therefore it is not always possible to retrieve the information.
To open Scandisk click on the icon My Computer on the desktop , and the screen shown here will open up.
Now select the unit that you want to perform the scandisk on, for example unit (D), and right click it.
A shortcut menu will open, like the one shown select Properties from this menu.
This will cause the window Hard disk (D) Properties to open. Select Tools tab and the window shown on the right will open.

If you click Check Now... , the window Checking hard disk (D) will open.

Here you need to choose one of two options available: Automatically fix file system errors or Search for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.
Click on Start so that the scan can begin. This process can take a few minutes, depending on the size of the disk.
Once the scan has finalized a confirmation window will appear.