damage to computer, preventing, 777
data storage, 327-328
data transfer
bulk transfers, 248
interrupt transfers, 247
isochronous transfers, 247
with USB, 247
databases, 525
date and time
changing settings in BIOS, 124
setting, 425-426
DC power, 300-301, 352
dead pixels, 190
default settings, 126-127
defragmenting drive
analyzing defragmentation, 803-805
Disk Defragmenter utility, 803
starting defragmentation, 805
Delete key, 202
deleting unneeded items, 429-430
design limitations of laptop computers, 11-12
desks, 388, 463
desktop, changing, 475-476
desktop computers
adding PC card reader to, 382
advantages of
cost less, 6
easy to repair, 8
easy to upgrade, 7-8
flexible design, 7
standard parts, 6-7
connecting projectors to, 579-580
disadvantages of
difficult to transport, 9-10
require external power, 10
space taken up by, 9
inputs and outputs, 273-287
calibrating game controllers, 286-287
parallel (printer) port, 275-277
PS/2 mouse and keyboard sockets, 275
serial ports, 277-283
testing game controllers, 283-286
installing hard drives in, 142-144
opening case, 56
power management, 289-301
DC power supply, 300-301
reducing power consumption, 295
setting Windows power options, 289-291
uninterruptible power supply (UPS), 295-300
turning on and off, 270-273
configuring power button, 270-272
reset pushbutton, 272
Restart command, 273
Windows shut down, 272-273
Desktop tab, display settings, 414-416
device drivers
adding new hardware to system, 499
installing, 405-406
overview, 87-88
using Device Manager, 499-502
dial-up connection, 718, 723-727
digital cameras
connecting to computer, 595
downloading digital pictures, 596-599
dynamic range, 592
editing pictures
adjusting brightness and contrast, 606-607
cropping images, 604-606
removing objects, 608-609
removing red eye, 608
rotating images, 603-604
flash memory, 593
image formats, 593-594
lenses, 592-593
publishing images to Web sites, 599-600
resolution in megapixels, 592
settings, 594
storing pictures
backing up images to DVD, 610-611
printing images, 609-610
viewing pictures
as screen saver, 601-602
as slide show, 600-601
digital cellular services, 368-369
digital graphics controllers, 170-171
digital monitors, 184
digital notepads, 222-223
direction keys, 201
Disk Cleanup utility, 800-802
Disk Defragmenter utility, 803
Disk Operating System (DOS), 495, 534
display
Appearance tab, 417-420
changing desktop, 475-476
changing Web pages, 479-483
Desktop tab, 414-416
on-screen cues, 483
Screen saver tab, 416-417
Settings tab, 413-414
text-to-speech translation, 483
Themes tab, 420-421
using Magnifier, 476-479
docking stations, 327, 363
DOS (Disk Operating System), 495, 534
downloading
digital pictures, 596-599
updates for Windows, 406-409
video to mobile media player, 669-670
drive bays
external, 71
internal, 72
drives. See CD drives; DVD drives; flash drives; hard drives
DVD drives, 328
DVDs
overview, 148-150
playing on laptop, 667-668