Who hasn't had problems with Windows XP? Even people who rarely use it have to deal with its many problems, deficiencies, and quirks. But what happens when your problems go beyond the ordinary, into the realm of system failure? It's Never Done That Before covers the broad space between "it works" and "it doesn't work," giving excellent methods for solving computer problems. However, while generally quite useful, this book suffers slightly from a lack of real-world experience on the part of the author.

Writing analysis

The writing quality is generally good, but the author loses points for using the corporate-created term intellectual property in the section on Windows XP product activation. Overall, though, this book is easy to read, follow, and navigate.

There are many screen shots, all of which appeared to be relevant to the topic being discussed. I do have one specific gripe about them, though: the author uses a non-standard Windows theme that has the most obnoxious, oversized font. It's not a big deal because the window titles and message text are still legible, but people who are following along in the book should see the exact same thing in the pictures that they do on their computer screens.

Putting the book to the test

It's Never Done That Before is comprehensive in its approach to computer troubleshooting. If problems extend beyond Windows XP to your actual computer hardware, no problem -- the book has three whole chapters dedicated to hardware troubleshooting and replacement. I find the book's focus to be spot on, though -- most computer problems have a basis in Windows, not the actual hardware.

I'm tempted to say that the majority of your computer problems can be solved in the very first chapter because it superbly explains how to troubleshoot computer problems on your own. Subsequent chapters zero in on specific problems and solutions, which theoretically you won't need if you can solve the problem on your own.

Most of the book's Windows-specific content applies to both Home and Professional editions of Windows XP, and to the OEM, retail, and corporate license programs. However, It's Never Done That Before is probably most practical for those who have purchased a retail box edition of Windows XP. OEM users are limited in what they can do with reinstalling the operating system because they are generally not provided with a proper Windows CD -- they get a system restore CD instead, which formats the hard drive and writes a preconfigured disk image to it. Corporate users don't generally have permission to reinstall their operating systems, and wouldn't have access to the license key anyway. I don't have the figures in front of me, but I know for a fact that the majority of the English-speaking world's Windows installations are either OEM or corporate. This means that about 10% of It's Never Done That Before is going to be useless to the majority of Windows users.

I used to work as a full-time and part-time computer technician. If I wasn't sleeping, I was using, building, or fixing a computer, and that was what I did for about five years. My experience tells me that the author is either purposefully ignoring the issue of illegal software copying ("software piracy" is what it is generally called in popular media, though the term itself is silly and inappropriate for the actions it describes), or isn't aware of its pervasiveness. In my time as a computer tech, rarely did any customers have their license key because at least half of all of the computer repair customers who walked through the door (manufacturer's warranty work aside -- we did Packard Bell, Compaq, and Sony) were using someone else's copy of Windows. A friend or relative installed the operating system for them, or lent them their Windows disc, and used the Windows XP activation crack or a key generator if necessary. It's Never Done That Before totally ignores this elephant in the room, mentioning only in the section on Windows product activation that it exists to prevent illegal copying, and that if you don't like it, you should switch to Linux.

It's Never Done That Before does not mention the Windows Genuine Advantage program, which has crept from the corporate world into the consumer realm. It's a hassle to deal with if you have an illegal copy of Windows, as many do, but the real problem is that it's a hassle to people whose software is totally legitimate. I think the author should have dedicated at least a section of a chapter to WGA.

Another major omission in the book is the fact of how malware gets onto a computer. Let's face it -- unscrupulous pornography Web sites and warez downloads are two extremely popular ways of getting your Windows computer irreparably infected with undesirable software. It's Never Done That Before only mentions false ads for PC tune-up applications and filesharing programs like KaZaa, Morpheus, and BearShare. The author also fails to mention that the source of the infection must be discovered before putting anything back onto the computer after the operating system has been reinstalled. When I was a technician, I saw many instances where people brought back a repaired computer the very next day with all of the same software problems that I just fixed because they didn't realize that a porn site or some warez application was causing the damage.

Lastly, I strongly disagree with the author's assertion that a computer-savvy friend or family member should be willing to help you for free. Believe me, the last thing a technician wants to do after 8 hours of wrestling with intermittent hardware failures and stingy customers is to get a phone call from a needy acquaintance or relative with a lengthy computer problem. The author should admonish every such person to firmly and clearly offer money or some other meaningful compensation to computer professionals who are willing to help after hours.

Conclusions

I've spent much of this review pointing out the flaws in It's Never Done That Before, but really it is an excellent book that can help nearly anyone who has a Windows-based computer. The only major fault that it has is that it is too squeaky clean -- it ignores the silent but significant number of people who acquired their copy of Windows XP through a friend or family member (presumably the same one the author wants to fix your computer for free in their spare time), and it doesn't recognize porn and warez sites as major sources of spy/malware. Ignoring reality doesn't make it go away.

The good news is, It's Never Done That Before has relevant information that is easy to follow, and the procedures and advice actually work. I even learned a couple of things from it, and I thought I knew everything when it came to Windows troubleshooting. If you're beyond such books, you might consider giving it as a Christmas present to all of those annoying relatives that bother you with their frequent computer problems. The price of the book is nothing compared to the time you'll save doing free computer repairs.

Copyright 2006 Jem Matzan.