General Observations

1. The COT-204 text tells you that you need THREE floppy disks for this section: one floppy disk to "play with" in Session 2.1, another floppy with some files on it (that's what you're figuring out how to create, now) for Session 2.2, and still a third floppy for Tut. 2, Assign. 4. This isn't necessary! You can either do all of your work on your hard drive, or, if using floppy disks, use only one floppy disk and re-format it and remake it as necessary. Just be sure that any work you create for class that has to be turned in is stored somewhere OTHER than on the floppy, or you'll lose it when you re-format. Er, did I mention that you need to re-format the disk before making a new one on the same floppy? Just thought I'd mention it.
2. Downloading and unzipping this one zipped file gives you all of the files you need to complete the rest of the course.

Your text requires that you use several sets of files to complete the assignments. You can obtain those files over the WWW from the publisher. Here's how to do it:

1. Click here:  Downloading WinXP Student Files .  Alternatively, you could type:  http://www.course.com/catalog/downloads.cfm?isbn=0-619-26818-2 in the Location or Address box in your browser.  You make the choice.
2. We'll assume you did the smart thing and simply clicked on the link above.  After the page loads, if you check the URL in the location box of your browser, you'll see that it matches the humongous thingy-dingy URL.
3. There is only one file that you need for this class. It's 1.2 MB in size.
4. Click on the "Data Files" link to begin the download. Note: If you're using Internet Explorer with Service Pack 2, you'll probably hear a little "ding" and the infamous yellow bar will appear at the top of your browser window. Click it, then select, "Download the File". If you're returned to the download screen, start over. You should be able to download your file this time. Your browser may ask you where you want to put the file, and will provide a suggested filename.  It will be 4462-4d.exe. It's probably simplest to just note where it's going, and let your machine do the rest. Write both the location and the filename down!!   Many folks simply put it on their Desktop. These file is rather large, so it will take some time to download.
    

Once you have the file downloaded, use My Computer or Windows Explorer (NOT Internet Explorer) to locate it.  If you put the file on your Desktop, just display your desktop and you'll see the file. Double click the file, and it will automatically begin to unzip and install itself.  This is a patented Good Thing!!  Your computer will want to put the files it generates in the: C:\Course Technology\4462-4 folder. Let it do so unless you have an overwhelming urge to cause yourself problems or a basic need to put the folder at another location. The only thing that you need to do to make this happen is to click "Unzip" when you're given the choice. Once the operation is completed, your files are ready to serve you. If you open the C:]Course Technology\4462-4 folder, you should see a total of seven files covering Tutorials 2-8. These are self-executing zipped files, just like the one you downloaded was, and when you click the file for the tutorial you want, it will automatically unzip all of the files you need for that tutorial onto the clean, formatted floppy disk that you've inserted into the floppy drive.

To format a floppy disk:

1. Place the disk to be formatted into your floppy drive. Be certain that it's one you can afford to lose, because formatting a disk destroy's all information contained on the disk. For our plans and purposes, there is no way to recover the data. Well, there is, but if I told you, I'd have to.....you get the idea.
2. Click:
   1. Start Button > My Computer
   2. Right Click the A:\ floppy drive symbol
   3. Move down the list and select: "Format"
   4. Make certain that: "Format 3 1/2 Floppy (A:)" appears in the title bar of the window that opens. If it doesn't, run away as quickly as possible. Trust me, you REALLY don't want to reformat your hard drive or your USB drive at this point. Oh, did I mention that the floppy that you're formatting needs to be disposable?
   5. Check the "Quick Format" box in the Format Options section.
   6. Click: Start
   7. Take a deep breath, check to see that "Format 3 1/2 Floppy (A:)" appears in the small warning window that just opened, and if it does, click "OK" to start the process.
   8. When the "Format Complete" popup opens, click "OK", then "Cancel", and proceed to the next section. You now have a clean, newly formatted disk to play with.

To create a student disk:

Note: Whenever you make a student disk using this method, you must use a clean, newly formatted disk!

1. Place a blank, formatted disk in your A:\ (floppy) drive.
   1. Start "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer" (NOT Internet Explorer)
   2. Open the "C:\" drive by double-clicking on it's symbol.
   3. Find the folder named: "Course Technology" and open it.
   4. Inside "Course Technology", locate the folder named: "4462-4" and open it.
2. Pick the tutorial you're working on, and double-click the self-executing zip file that corresponds to that tutorial. It will have the title, "NP on Windows XP Tutorial ......"
3. Click "Unzip", and you're home free! Note: The default is to place the files on a floppy disk for safety's sake. You're less likely to do something drastic to your hard disk that way. On the other hand, should you feel comfortable with it, you can certainly place the files anywhere you'd like, but be careful!