PC Users Bible
PC Users Bible
ISBN: 0470088974
EAN: 2147483647
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2007
Pages: 372
Pages: 372
Authors: John Ross, Kelly L. Murdock
- Table of Contents
- Back Cover
- PC User s Bible
- Introduction
- Icons
- What s in This Book
- Part I: Choosing Your Computer
- Chapter 1: Desktop or Laptop?
- How Do You Use Your Computer?
- Pros and Cons of Desktop Computers
- Pros and Cons of Laptop Computers
- Choosing the Best of Both
- Summary
- Chapter 2: Evaluating the Warranty and Support
- Service Contracts
- Tech Support
- Repairs and Upgrades
- Summary
- Chapter 3: Buying a Computer
- Where to Buy Your Computer
- Choosing a Processor
- Memory
- Choosing a Hard Drive
- Inputs and Outputs
- Choosing a Case
- Choosing a Graphics Controller
- Choosing a Monitor
- Choosing an Audio Controller and Speakers
- Choosing a Keyboard
- Choosing a Mouse or Other Pointing Device
- Summary
- Part II: Understanding Your Computer s Components
- Chapter 4: Looking Inside the Case
- Opening the Case
- Providing Electricity: The Power Supply
- Supporting Everything: The Motherboard
- Adding Special Functions: Expansion Cards
- Holding the Drives: Drive Bays
- Moving Data Around: Internal Cables
- Cooling and Air Flow
- Controlling Noise
- Summary
- Chapter 5: How Your Computer Computes
- The Parts of a Computer
- Computers: Structured in Logical Layers
- The Operating System
- Device Drivers
- Application Programs
- Summary
- Chapter 6: The Central Processing Unit
- What the CPU Does
- Summary
- Chapter 7: Random Access Memory
- How Much Memory Do You Need?
- Adding More Memory
- Testing Your Computer s Memory
- Summary
- Chapter 8: Understanding the BIOS
- What the BIOS Does
- The Power-On Self Test
- Changing BIOS Settings
- Clearing the BIOS Settings
- Replacing the CMOS Battery
- Updating the BIOS
- Summary
- Chapter 9: Hard Drives and Other Storage Media
- Floppy Disks
- CDs and DVDs
- Other Removable Storage Media
- USB Drives
- Other Portable Drives
- Summary
- Chapter 10: Understanding Graphics Controllers
- What a Video Card Does
- Selecting an Interface Type
- Graphics Controller Performance
- Graphics Processors and Chipsets
- Digital or Analog?
- How Much Power Does Your Controller Really Need?
- Changing the Display Settings
- Supporting Multiple Monitors
- Using the Software Supplied with Your Video Controller
- Summary
- Chapter 11: Video Monitors
- How CRT Displays Work
- How Flat Panels Work
- Digital or Analog?
- CRT or LCD: What s the Difference?
- How Big a Screen Do You Need?
- Understanding Technical Specifications
- Working with Your Monitor s Controls
- Dead Pixels
- Repairing a Monitor
- Summary
- Chapter 12: Keyboards, Mice, and Other Input Devices
- Using a Mouse
- Using Pen Tablets and Digital Notepads
- Using Bar Code Readers
- Summary
- Chapter 13: Sound Cards, Speakers, and Other Audio
- Built-in Speakers
- How Sound Cards Work
- Choosing a Sound Card
- Configuring Windows for Your Sound Card
- Other Audio Control Utilities
- The Windows Volume Control
- Adding a Subwoofer
- Using a Microphone
- Summary
- Chapter 14: Using USB and FireWire Interfaces
- How USB Works
- How FireWire Works
- What s the Difference?
- Connectors and Cables
- Connecting to a Windows Computer
- Summary
- Chapter 15: Using Bluetooth
- How Bluetooth Works
- Installing Bluetooth in Your Computer
- Using Bluetooth Devices
- Summary
- Part III: Using Your Desktop Computer
- Chapter 16: Exploring Your Desktop Computer
- Turning the Computer On and Off
- Sending and Receiving Data: Inputs and Outputs
- Summary
- Chapter 17: Managing Power on a Desktop Computer
- Reducing Power Consumption
- Using an Uninterruptible Power Supply
- Using a DC Power Supply
- Summary
- Chapter 18: Overclocking Your Computer
- Reasons Not to Overclock
- Methods
- Keeping Things Cool
- Overclocking Your Video Card
- Summary
- Part IV: Using Your Laptop Computer
- Chapter 19: Choosing a Laptop Computer
- Screen Size and Appearance
- Weight
- Battery Life
- Processor Performance and Memory
- Ease of Use
- Security Features
- The Warranty
- Inputs and Outputs
- Data Storage
- Upgrading the Computer: Now or Later
- Summary
- Chapter 20: Finding Your Way Around Your Laptop Computer
- Indicator Lights
- Inputs and Outputs
- Looking Inside the Case
- Power Supplies for Laptop Computers
- Adjusting the Monitor
- Cooling the Innards
- Summary
- Chapter 21: Managing Power on a Laptop Computer
- Using an AC Adapter
- Using External DC Power
- Reducing Power Consumption
- Summary
- Chapter 22: Using External Devices with a Laptop
- Using an External Monitor
- Using a TV as a Monitor
- Using a Mouse or Other Pointing Device
- Using External Storage
- Port Replicators and Docking Stations
- Summary
- Chapter 23: Connecting Your Laptop to the Internet
- Wireless Options
- Summary
- Chapter 24: PC Cards and ExpressCards
- The PC Card Standard
- Uses for PC Cards
- ExpressCards
- Installing and Removing Cards
- Adding a PC Card Reader to a Desktop Computer
- Summary
- Chapter 25: Laptop Accessories
- Security Tools
- Reading Light and Flashlight
- Earphones
- Portable Desk
- Privacy Shield
- Cleaning Supplies
- What to Carry with Your Laptop
- Summary
- Chapter 26: Traveling with Your Laptop
- Using Your Computer on Trains and Airplanes
- Finding and Using Wi-Fi Hotspots
- Other Internet Connections
- Finding a Place to Print
- Sending Backup Data Home
- Summary
- Part V: Improving Your Computer s Performance
- Chapter 27: Setting Up Your Computer
- Install Security Programs
- Download and Install Windows Updates
- Test Everything While It s Under Warranty
- Checking the BIOS Settings
- Optimizing Windows
- Tweaking Windows
- Choosing Startup Programs
- Activating Windows
- Making Recovery Disks
- Install Your Application Programs
- Summary
- Chapter 28: Enhancing the View
- Using More Than One Monitor
- Connecting a Monitor to a Laptop Computer
- Using Multiple Screens through a Network with MaxiVista
- Managing Multiple Screens with UltraMon
- Showing the Same Image on Two or More Screens
- Summary
- Chapter 29: Ergonomics-Making the Most of Bad Design
- Choosing the Right Furniture
- Watch Your Posture
- Take Frequent Breaks
- Preventing Repetitive Strain Injury
- Optimizing Your Lighting
- Reducing the Noise
- Working with a Laptop Computer
- Summary
- Chapter 30: Accessibility
- Using Windows Accessibility Features
- Making Public Computers More Accessible
- Summary
- Part VI: Putting Your Computer to Work
- Chapter 31: Working with Microsoft Windows
- Choosing a Version
- Loading Windows
- Understanding Device Drivers
- Finding and Installing Patches, Service Packs, and Upgrades
- What s New in Windows Vista
- Summary
- Chapter 32: Essential Software
- Other Utilities
- Application Programs
- Games and Other Entertainment
- Summary
- Chapter 33: Alternatives to Windows
- DOS
- Unix
- Linux
- Finding Drivers for Unix and Linux
- Loading a Different Operating System
- Windows Services for Unix
- Summary
- Chapter 34: Sharing a Computer
- Accounts for Multiple Users
- Summary
- Chapter 35: Printing from Your Computer
- Connecting a Printer to Your Computer
- Using Fonts
- Understanding Printer Memory
- Choosing and Handling Paper
- Printing Documents
- Summary
- Chapter 36: Making Presentations
- Choosing a Projector
- Connecting to a Projector
- Summary
- Chapter 37: Scanning to Your Computer
- Setting Up a Scanner
- Scanning Images and Documents
- Summary
- Chapter 38: Using Your Computer with a Digital Camera
- Selecting a Digital Camera
- Downloading Pictures
- Viewing Pictures
- Editing Pictures
- Storing Pictures
- Summary
- Chapter 39: Scheduling Software Events
- Using the Scheduled Task Wizard
- Working with the Scheduled Tasks
- Creating a Batch File
- Summary
- Chapter 40: Synchronizing Your Data Files
- Synchronizing Files Between Two or More Computers
- Synchronizing with a PDA
- Summary
- Chapter 41: Using Windows Remote Desktop
- Setting Up a Computer as a Remote Desktop Client
- Connecting to a Remote Computer
- Connecting to an Older Version of Windows
- Connecting Through the Internet
- Summary
- Chapter 42: Playing, Creating, and Editing Sound
- Recording
- Editing Sounds
- Connecting Your Computer to Your Stereo System
- Summary
- Chapter 43: Viewing, Creating, and Editing Video
- Playing DVDs on Your Laptop
- Viewing Streaming Video from the Internet
- Using Your Computer with a Video Camera
- Connecting Video to a Computer
- Summary
- Part VII: Using Your Computer for Communications
- Chapter 44: Connecting Your Computer to a Network or Another Computer
- Connecting Through a Network
- Direct Connections
- Summary
- Chapter 45: Sending and Receiving Faxes
- Using the Fax Console
- Faxing Documents
- Creating a Custom Cover Page
- Faxing Using the Internet
- Summary
- Chapter 46: Using Your Computer on the Internet
- Browsing the Web
- Sending and Receiving E-Mail
- Using Instant Messaging
- Summary
- Chapter 47: Using Virtual Private Networks
- How a VPN Works
- Setting Up a VPN
- Connecting to a VPN
- Summary
- Part VIII: Security and Maintenance
- Chapter 48: Keeping Your Computer and Data Secure
- Back Up Your Data
- Insurance
- Protecting Yourself against Snoops, Data Thieves, and Eavesdroppers
- Keeping Viruses and Spyware Out of Your Computer
- Summary
- Chapter 49: Preventing Trouble Through Maintenance
- Defragment Your Drive
- Check the Integrity of Your Drive
- Back Up Your Data
- Summary
- Chapter 50: Restoring Windows
- Restoring Windows from CDs
- Summary
- Chapter 51: Troubleshooting-Finding the Problem After It Happens
- Blue Screen Failures
- Bypass the Hard Drive
- Use the System Restore Tool
- Test for Viruses and Spyware
- Don t Reformat That Hard Drive-Yet
- Summary
- Index
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W-Z
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- List of Sidebars
PC Users Bible
ISBN: 0470088974
EAN: 2147483647
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2007
Pages: 372
Pages: 372
Authors: John Ross, Kelly L. Murdock