Chapter 1: The Basics of Windows XP

Starting Up Windows

On most systems, Windows starts automatically when you turn on the computer. You see whatever messages your computer displays on startup, followed by the Windows splash screen (logo). If your computer is on a LAN or is set up for multiple users, you also see a welcome screen, showing the user accounts defined on the system. Click your user account name: if the account requires a password, type your password and press ENTER.

If your computer system has been suspended, Windows hasn't been shut down; instead, it is "sleeping." To start up where you left off, just resume operation of your computer, which usually is accomplished by moving the mouse, pressing a key (such as the SHIFT key), or (if you use a laptop) opening the cover.

Another possibility is that someone locked the computer screen by pressing WINDOWS-L (that is, holding down the WINDOWS key, which not all keyboards have, and typing L). If so, you see the same welcome screen you saw when Windows started: click your user account name to continue.

If your computer's hard disk contains more than one bootable partition (that is, another section of your hard disk that contains an operating system), you may see the message "Please select the operating system to start," with a list of bootable partitions. Use the arrow keys to select the operating system you want and press ENTER. For information about partitions, see Chapter 32.