Using the Book's CD
The companion CD included with this book contains practice files you can use as you work through the book's exercises, as well as other electronic resources that will help you learn how to use Windows Vista.
What's on the CD?
The following table lists the practice files supplied on the book's CD.
Chapter | Files |
|---|
Chapter 1: Getting Started with Windows Vista | None | Chapter 2: Working Efficiently in Windows Vista | None | Chapter 3: Working with Folders and Files | 01_AlbumSlides.pptx | | | 01_ColorSlides.pptx | | | 01_FabricSpecial.docx | | | 01_FengShuiSlides.pptx | | | 01_JournalSlides.pptx | | | 01_LoanPayment.xlsx | | | 01_OrgSlides.pptx | | | 01_Procedures.docx | | | 01_RoomMakeover.docx | | | 03_Costs.xlsx | | | 05_Cat.jpg | | | 05_Crow.jpg | | | 05_Figurine.jpg | | | 05_Frog.jpg | | | 05_Introduction.wav | | | 05_MusicBox.jpg | | | 05_TeaPot.jpg | | | 06_Bamboo.docx | | | 06_Bamboo1.jpg through 06_Bamboo3.jpg | | | 06_BookBeat.docx | | | 06_BookSales.xlsx | | | 06_Lady.jpg | | | 06_PlanningSlides.pptx | | | 06_SalesMtgSlides.pptx | | | 06_TagAnnounce.docx | | | 06_TagIntroduce.docx | | | 06_TagSlides.pptx | | | 06_Welcome.docx | | | 07_ComparisonShop.docx | | | 02_Presentations folder, containing: | | | 02_TagTemplate.pptx | | | 02_Background.jpg | | | 03_Videos folder, containing: | | | 03_HouseHome.wmv | | | 03_YinYang.png | | | 05_Narrations folder (empty) | | | 05_Photographs folder (empty) | Chapter 4: Personalizing Windows Vista | 00_Arizona01.jpg through 00_Arizona10.jpg | Chapter 5: Installing and Configuring Devices | None | Chapter 6: Safely and Efficiently Accessing the Internet | None | Chapter 7: Working with Programs | 03_MusicBox.bmp | Chapter 8: Making Connections | 05_Changes.docx | | | 05_FindingWord.docx | | | 05_SavedText.docx | Chapter 9: Working with Digital Media | 01_Arizona01.jpg through 01_Arizona10.jpg | | | 01_Background.jpg | | | 01_Bamboo01.jpg through 01_Bamboo03.jpg | | | 01_CakePlate.jpg | | | 01_Cat.jpg | | | 01_Crow.jpg | | | 01_Figurine.jpg | | | 01_Frog.jpg | | | 01_Home01.wmv through 01_Home03.wmv | | | 01_MusicBox.jpg | | | 01_TeaPot.jpg | | | 01_YinYang.jpg | Chapter 10: Managing Computer Security | 02_Angelic.jpg | Chapter 11: Optimizing Your Computer System | None | Chapter 12: Identifying and Solving Problems | 04_BookBeat.docx |
In addition to the practice files, the CD contains some exciting resources that will really enhance your ability to get the most out of using this book and Windows Vista, including the following:
Windows Vista Step by Step in eBook format Microsoft Computer Dictionary, 5th ed. eBook First Look 2007 Microsoft Office System (Katherine Murray, 2006) Sample chapter and poster from Look Both Ways: Help Protect Your Family on the Internet (Linda Criddle, 2007)
Important
The companion CD for this book does not contain the Windows Vista operating system. You should purchase and install that operating system before using this book.
Minimum System Requirements
Windows Vista
To run Windows Vista, your computer needs to meet the following minimum hardware requirements:
800 megahertz (MHz) processor 512 megabytes (MB) RAM DirectX 9capable graphics processor 20 gigabytes (GB) hard disk drive capacity with 15 GB available space
Computers that meet these requirements may be labeled by their manufacturers as Windows Vista Capable.
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero visual effects, your computer needs to meet these minimum requirements:
1 GHz processor 1 GB of system memory DirectX 9capable graphics processor with a Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver, 128 GB of graphics memory (if the GPU uses dedicated memory; otherwise, no additional graphics memory is required), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel 40 GB hard disk drive capacity with 15 GB available space Internal or external DVD-ROM drive Audio output capability Internet access capability
Computers that meet these requirements may be labeled by their manufacturers as Windows Vista Premium Ready.
The TV Tuning, Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption, and Tablet PC features available with certain editions of Windows Vista require additional hardware, as indicated in the following table:
Feature | Available in | Additional hardware requirement |
|---|
Windows Media Center television functionality | Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Premium | A TV tuner card and a remote control that complies with the Windows Vista Remote Control specification | BitLocker Drive Encryption | Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Ultimate | Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 chip or USB 2.0 key | Tablet PC features | Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Premium | A PC that meets the Tablet PC specification and includes an electromagnetic digitizer pen |
Step-by-Step Exercises
In addition to the hardware required to run Windows Vista, you will need the following to successfully complete the exercises in this book:
Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Enterprise See Also
For information about the features available in different editions of Windows Vista, see "Introducing Windows Vista" earlier in this book.
Monitor with minimum 800x600 screen resolution; 1024x768 or higher recommended Keyboard and mouse or compatible pointing device Internet connection, 128 kilobits (Kbps) or greater, for download and activation of products, accessing online Help topics, and any other Internet-dependent processes Access to the following peripheral devices: Scanner Printer Speakers Camera External storage device Microphone
40 MB of available hard disk space for the practice files
Installing the Practice Files
You need to install the practice files in the correct location on your hard disk before you can use them in the exercises. Follow these steps:
1. | Remove the companion CD from the envelope at the back of the book, and insert it into the CD drive of your computer.
The Step By Step Companion CD License Terms appear. Follow the on-screen directions. To use the practice files, you must accept the terms of the license agreement. After you accept the license agreement, a menu screen appears.
Important
If the menu screen does not appear, click the Start button and then click Computer. Display the Folders list in the Navigation pane, click the icon for your CD drive, and then in the right pane, double-click the StartCD executable file.
| 2. | Click Install Practice Files.
| 3. | Click Next on the first screen, and then click Next to accept the terms of the license agreement on the next screen.
| 4. | If you want to install the practice files to a location other than the default folder ( Documents\MSP\SBS_WindowsVista), click the Change button, select the new drive and path, and then click OK.
Important
If you install the practice files to a location other than the default, you will need to substitute that path within the exercises.
| 5. | Click Next on the Choose Destination Location screen, and then click Install on the Ready to Install the Program screen to install the selected practice files.
| 6. | After the practice files have been installed, click Finish.
| 7. | Close the Step by Step Companion CD window, remove the companion CD from the CD drive, and return it to the envelope at the back of the book.
|
Using the Practice Files
When you install the practice files from the companion CD that accompanies this book, the files are stored on your hard disk in chapter-specific subfolders under Documents\MSP\SBS_WindowsVista. Each exercise is preceded by a paragraph that lists the files needed for that exercise and explains any preparations needed before you start working through the exercise. Here are examples:
USE the 02_Angelic image. This practice file is located in the Chapter10 folder under SBS_WindowsVista.
BE SURE TO log on to Windows and have an active Internet connection available before beginning this exercise.
OPEN Control Panel, and then display the User Accounts window.
You can browse to the practice files in Windows Explorer by following these steps:
1. | On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and then click Documents.
Start
| 2. | In your Documents folder, double-click MSP, double-click SBS_WindowsVista, and then double-click a specific chapter folder.
|
You can browse to the practice files from a dialog box by following these steps:
1. | In the Favorite Links pane in the dialog box, click Documents.
| 2. | In your Documents folder, double-click MSP, double-click SBS_WindowsVista, and then double-click the specified chapter folder.
|
Removing and Uninstalling the Practice Files
You can free up hard disk space by uninstalling the practice files that were installed from the companion CD. The uninstall process deletes any files that you created in the Documents\MSP\SBS_WindowsVista chapter-specific folders while working through the exercises. Follow these steps:
1. | On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
Start
| 2. | In Control Panel, under Programs, click the Uninstall a program task.
| 3. | In the Programs and Features window, click Windows Vista, and then on the toolbar at the top of the window, click the Uninstall button.
| 4. | If the Programs and Features message box asking you to confirm the deletion appears, click Yes.
|
See Also
If you need additional help installing or uninstalling the practice files, see "Getting Help" later in this book.
Important
Microsoft Product Support Services does not provide support for this book or its companion CD.
|
