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Microsoft® Windows® XP Features

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX270 Systems User's Guide

  Transferring Information to a New Computer

  User Accounts and Fast User Switching

  Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Transferring Information to a New Computer

The Microsoft^® Windows^® XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer wizard to move data from the source computer to the new computer. You can move data such as:

• E-mails
  
  
• Toolbar settings
  
  
• Window sizes
  
  
• Internet bookmarks
  
  

You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on a removable medium, such as a writable CD or floppy disk.

To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:

1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
   
   
2. When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
   
   
3. On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
   
   
4. On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD and click Next.
   
   
5. When the Now go to your old computer screen appears, go to your old or source computer. Do not click Next at this time.
   
   

To copy data from the old computer:

1. On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System CD.
   
   
2. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.
   
   
3. Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings.
   
   
4. On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
   
   
5. On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
   
   
6. On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
   
   
7. On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.
   
   

After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.

8. Click Finish.
   
   

To transfer data to the new computer:

1. On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
   
   
2. On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your settings and files and click Next.
   
   

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.

3. Click Finished and restart the new computer.
   
   

User Accounts and Fast User Switching

Adding User Accounts

After the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system is installed, the administrator or a user with administrator rights can create additional user accounts.

1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
   
   
2. In the Control Panel window, click User Accounts.
   
   
3. Under Pick a task, click Create a new account.
   
   
4. Under Name the new account, type the name of the new user and click Next.
   
   
5. Under Pick an account type, click one of the following options:
   
   
   • Computer administrator — You can change all computer settings.
     
     
   • Limited — You can change only your own personal settings, such as your password. You cannot install programs or use the Internet.
     
     
6. Click Create Account.
   
   

Fast User Switching

NOTE: Fast User Switching is unavailable if your computer is running Windows XP Professional and is a member of a computer domain, or if your computer has less than 128 MB of memory.

Fast User Switching allows multiple users to access one computer without requiring the previous user to log off.

1. Click the Start button and click Log Off.
   
   
2. In the Log Off Windows window, click Switch User.
   
   

When you use Fast User Switching, programs that previous users were using remain running in the background, so your computer might run slower. Also, multimedia programs, such as games and DVD software, might not work with Fast User Switching. For more information, see the Windows Help and Support Center.

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

Before you connect your computer to a network, the computer must have a network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it.

To connect a network cable:

NOTE: Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure.

1. Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer.
   
   

NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall jack.

2. Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device, such as a network wall jack.
   
   

Network Setup Wizard

The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office.

1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® Communications, and then click Network Setup Wizard.
   
   
2. On the welcome screen, click Next.
   
   
3. Click Checklist for creating a network.
   
   

NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP.

4. Complete the checklist and required preparations.
   
   
5. Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
   
   

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