Frequently Asked Questions about Windows XP FAQs

This document is one. Here I describe the different types of FAQs, provide tips on how to find answers in an FAQ, and explain how to determine if an FAQ is trustworthy.

Yes, the range of FAQs is as broad as the range of questions. There are marketing FAQs that try to answer the common questions about a new product to detailed troubleshooting FAQs focused on helping solve technical issues. And many shades in between.

FAQs come from a variety of sources. Some are created by the support staff of hardware and software manufacturers. If you're having a problem with a particular hardware or software product, the first and best place to start is the FAQ from the manufacturer of the product. Look on their support Web site to see what answers they've already provided. Other FAQs are created by the marketing arms of various companies. If you're thinking of buying a product from a company or a competitive product, check the FAQs that cover features and comparisons—they can help you make an informed decision. Finally, FAQs are often created by users who are simply trying to help other users in the community and are tired of answering the same questions over and over. Many Microsoft MVPs maintain FAQs as part of their efforts to help other users in the community.

Typically FAQs are maintained by the person or group that created the FAQ in the first place. Many community FAQs have a designated maintainer who is responsible for adding and updating the questions and answers in the FAQ. Others have a mechanism for users to submit additional questions and answers to the FAQ.

Very few problems that users encounter are entirely new. A well-designed and maintained FAQ that focuses on the area of your problem or interest has a high likelihood of having the answer to your question or problem already in it. And if it doesn't cover the exact symptoms you're experiencing, it often has something similar.

Finally, and this is especially true for FAQs that are attached to a community forum or newsgroup, if your question has already been answered in the FAQ, you're likely to be pointed to the FAQ for your answer and get chided for not having read it first—if you get an answer at all. People who answer hundreds of messages a week on a community forum or newsgroup are giving their time and energy to make the community a better place. We help them and the community by doing our homework first.

Although I don't want to make a general statement that all FAQs have value and are valid, it is true that they usually represent the author's best attempt to provide short, accurate answers to the most common questions he or she has faced. If you trust the author, you can expect to trust their FAQ. Microsoft MVPs have received their awards because they have provided value and support to the community over the previous year. Although there are certainly good FAQs about Windows from people who aren't MVPs, by choosing one from an MVP, you know that Microsoft has recognized their value to the community.

Long FAQs can be a bit challenging. But if they're done right, they should be all on a single page. This makes it easy to search for a particular phrase or word using Control-F to open the Find box in Internet Explorer. Ideally, they should be organized as this one is, with links at the top and organized by subject if there are a lot of topics. You click the link, and it takes you to that particular subject. When you're done, they should have a link in the subject area that returns you to the top of the FAQ or to your place in it. Other FAQs have their own built in search engine to help you search. If the FAQ has one, by all means use it.

The best way is to use your favorite search engine. Try MSN Search or Google. Include "FAQ" as one of the first words in the search string along with what you're looking for.

Some are FAQs on Windows XP are easier to use than others. Here are a few of those:

XP FAQ—Good general, MVP-created, Windows XP FAQ with other good troubleshooting articles on the site as well. Good for troubleshooting problems.

FAQ for Windows—Contains FAQs on a variety of topics that are aimed at the IT Pro community. Can be a bit hard to find what you're looking for here if you're not at a level appropriate to IT Pros.

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows FAQ—Marketing and feature list FAQs that are designed to answer questions about upcoming and recently-released products from Microsoft. Not for solving problems, good for overview.

Doug Knox's Windows XP Tips—Not really in FAQ format, but with the same intent and content, this and other pages on Microsoft MVP Doug Knox's site have some excellent information on Windows XP.

Windows Articles and FAQ Files—Solid place to look for FAQs and straight-forward articles. Several MVPs have contributed to this site and there's a wealth of good information on it.

Microsoft MVP FAQs—Links to a variety of FAQs from Microsoft MVPs. The table of contents includes Windows XP, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, and Tablet PC.

Eric's Knowledge Base—Good troubleshooting FAQ for Windows going from the basic to more advanced. Windows XP, Media Center Edition, and Smart Display covered.

Troubleshooting Windows XP: Tweaks and Fixes—Kelly brings together information from different sources in her Top Ten frequently asked questions about Windows XP. This is another great MVP FAQ.

Marfer's Notes for Windows XP—Collection of newsgroup answers from Mark L. Ferguson, a prolific poster and former MVP. Contains a handy link to copy the answer to your Office Clipboard.

A wide range is available. Since the topic is more focused that a general one on Windows XP, the FAQs are more focused and it's easier to find what you're looking for. If you're having problems with Windows XP SP2, start here.

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows XP: SP2 FAQ—Feature list and system requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Cyberwalker's FAQ on Windows XP SP2—Good information and answers to questions about antivirus software and SP2, Windows Firewall, changes to Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, and the new Wireless Network Connection dialog box.

Windows XP SP2 FAQs—This Microsoft MVP-created FAQ is aimed at the home user.

There are several good Tablet PC sites, most created by Tablet PC MVPs. The FAQs tend towards general product information more than troubleshooting, but are still quite useful. You'll also find good information and FAQs at your OEM's support site, so check there as well.

Tablet PC FAQs—Covers general questions about Tablet PCs, including ones about hardware, the upgrade to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, security, battery, and screen information. Elsewhere on this MVP's site, you'll find the best hardware comparison chart I've found to date.

Nice Creations FAQ—Good FAQ from the Tablet PC MVP who answers more posts on the Tablet PC newsgroup than any other. Also on his site are some useful tutorials for getting better acquainted with your Tablet PC.

Tablet PC Talk FAQ—Popular Tablet PC site lists questions and answers. Good list of links to third-party Tablet PC software.

Tablet PC 2—Contains how-to articles and more general FAQs on Tablet PCs.

Most of the sites about Windows Media Center Edition are general informational sites or OEM product-specific sites. The OEM sites are useful for troubleshooting their specific products, but not very helpful if you have a different brand. Here are some good general FAQs on Media Center Edition.

Media Center FAQs—Good general FAQ that's divided into categories, including hardware, software, and security with a link to the upgrade to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

Green Button Knowledge Base—Very popular Media Center Edition site that reproduces the official Microsoft Media Center Edition FAQ for their readers. Overall, the site has a wealth of information about Media Center Edition without being tied to a specific manufacturer.

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 FAQ—Official Microsoft FAQ for Media Center Edition includes links for where to purchase a new Media Center, how the product works with TV tuners and set-top boxes, and answers to questions about recording DVDs.

Windows XP Media Center Edition FAQ at XPMCE.com—This FAQ is compiled by Nicholas J. Fang from the Microsoft Media Center newsgroup.

Digital media is a huge topic and the range of information available covers everything from the home user to the professional. Here are two sites focused on Microsoft products that I found particularly useful.

Windows Media Player Mini-FAQ—Excellent site focused on Windows Media Player with a growing section on Windows Media Player 10 as well as the earlier versions of the player.

PapaJohn's Movie Maker 2—Not really organized as an FAQ, but arguably the definitive site for Windows Movie Maker 2 and Photo Story 3.

Home networking issues remain a continuing problem for many users and a top subject in many community forums and newsgroups. Many networking issues can be frustrating and difficult to troubleshoot. Here are some troubleshooting FAQs I think you might find useful.

Eric Cross' Networking FAQ—A good networking FAQ from a Microsoft MVP that also provides links to Microsoft Knowledge Base articles.

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ—Another good troubleshooting FAQ from a Microsoft MVP that includes detailed steps for setting up and troubleshooting Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

Steve Winograd's Networking Pages—Microsoft MVP uses a similar format to an FAQ, but this covers popular misconceptions about networking.

As always, I was blessed with help from many of my fellow MVPs. Specifically, I'm indebted to Terri Stratton, Chris Hassler, and John Dean, all Tablet PC MVPs for their suggestions and to our MVP Community Lead, the outstanding Andrew Brown. All provided valuable input and suggestions.

If you use Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and have a topic you'd like to see me cover in one of my columns or just want to tell me about how the Tablet PC has changed computing for you, feel free to write me at Charlie@mvps.org. I really want to hear what you think about your Tablet PC and what interesting ways you've found that a Tablet PC makes your work better.

I can't answer individual e-mail messages or provide individual technical support by e-mail. I do regularly participate in the Microsoft Tablet PC Newsgroup and Windows Services for UNIX Newsgroup newsgroups and look forward to seeing you there.