PCs: The Missing Manual

Description

PCs: The Missing Manual delivers everything you need to know about PCs, both inside and out, and how to keep them running smoothly and working how you want. From hooking everything up to configuring today's must-have digital media devices; from burning CDs and DVDs to setting up blogs and webcams; and from networking several computers to accessing TV and radio online, there's something for everyone.

Full Description

Your vacuum comes with one. Even your blender comes with one. But your PC--something that costs a whole lot more and is likely to be used daily and for tasks of far greater importance and complexity--doesn't come with a printed manual. Thankfully, that's not a problem any longer: PCs: The Missing Manual explains everything you need to know about PCs, both inside and out, and how to keep them running smoothly and working the way you want them to work.

A complete PC manual for both beginners and power users, PCs: The Missing Manual has something for everyone. PC novices will appreciate the unassuming, straightforward tutorials on PC basics, such as hooking up a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and scanner. Families will enjoy sections on networking several computers to share an Internet connection, sharing one monitor between two PCs, connecting portable media players, and creating a home theater system. Adventurous PC users will like the clear photos explaining how to take your PC apart and replace or upgrade any failing parts; IT professionals will be grateful to have something to hand to their coworkers who need solid, trusted information about using their PC.

In PCs: The Missing Manual, bestselling computer author Andy Rathbone delivers simple, reliable advice on the kinds of things PC users confront every day. He shows you how to connect and configure today's must-have devices (including digital cameras, portable music players, digital camcorders, and keychain drives); burn CDs and DVDs; scan and fax documents, and more. His section on the Internet explains how to choose the best Internet Service Provider and web browser for your needs; send email; find information quickly on the Web; share photos online; set up a blog; set up a webcam; access TV and radio through the Internet; and shop safely online. And Rathbone delivers plenty of guidance on keep your privacy and your PC safe by installing firewalls, creating safe passwords, running antivirus software, removing spyware and adware, and backing up important files.

Table of Contents

Your PC's Main Parts
1. Chapter 1 Inside Your PC
  1. Finding Out Your PC's Horsepower
  2. The PC's Case
  3. Opening Your PC's Case
  4. Motherboard
  5. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
  6. Adding Memory (aka RAM)
  7. Installing Expansion Cards
  8. Ports
  9. Power Supply and Battery
2. Chapter 2 Keyboards and Mice
  1. Keyboard Basics
  2. Mouse Basics
  3. Game Controllers
3. Chapter 3 Monitors and Video
  1. Monitor Basics
  2. Installing a Monitor
  3. Plugging Two Monitors into One PC
  4. Plugging Two PCs into One Monitor
  5. Using TV Sets as Monitors
  6. Watching TV on a PC
  7. Troubleshooting Your Monitor
  8. Video Card (aka Display Adapter)
4. Chapter 4 Printers
  1. Printer Basics
  2. Installing a Printer
  3. Choosing Printer Paper
  4. Adjusting Printer Settings
  5. Printing Envelopes
  6. Printing Specialized Items
  7. Printing Digital Photos Professionally
  8. Digital Photos on an Inkjet Printer
  9. Printing Web Pages
  10. Printer Troubleshooting
Multimedia
1. Chapter 5 Digital Cameras, Camcorders, and Webcams
  1. Digital Camera Basics
  2. Moving Pictures from Camera to Computer
  3. Moving Pictures from a Card Reader to a PC
  4. Viewing and Editing Photos
  5. Sharing Photos with Friends
  6. Troubleshooting Digital Cameras
  7. Camcorder Basics
  8. Connect the Camcorder to Your PC
  9. Editing Video
  10. Editing with Movie Maker
  11. Webcams
2. Chapter 6 Scanners
  1. Choosing a Scanner
  2. Installing a Scanner
  3. Three Ways to Scan an Image
  4. Using Windows Scanner and Camera Wizard
  5. Digitizing Old Photos and Slides
  6. Troubleshooting Scanners
3. Chapter 7 Sound
  1. Understanding Sound Adapters (Sound Cards)
  2. Sending Sound into and out of Your PC
  3. Choosing Music File Formats
  4. PC Music for Musicians
  5. Troubleshooting Sound
4. Chapter 8 Digital Music Players
  1. Choosing a Digital Music Player
  2. Your Digital Player and Your PC
  3. iPod and iTunes
  4. Windows XP's Media Player
  5. Troubleshooting Digital Music Players
Storing Information
1. Chapter 9 Hard Drives and Floppy Drives
  1. Your PC's Drives: An Overview
  2. Hard Drives: An Introduction
  3. Your Hard Drive's Available Space
  4. Removing Unused Programs and Files
  5. Speeding Up a Hard Drive
  6. Installing a Hard Drive
  7. Troubleshooting Hard Drives
  8. Floppy Drives: An Introduction
  9. Formatting a Floppy Disk
  10. Installing a Floppy Drive
2. Chapter 10 CD and DVD Drives
  1. CDs: An Introduction
  2. Playing CDs
  3. Buying the Right Type of Blank CD
  4. Ripping CDs
  5. Burning CDs
  6. Duplicating CDs
  7. Erasing CDs
  8. DVDs: An Introduction
  9. Playing DVD Movies
  10. Buying the Right Type of Blank DVD
  11. Specialty Disc Formats
  12. Ripping DVDs
  13. Burning DVDs
  14. Buying a CD or DVD Drive
  15. Installing a CD or DVD Drive
  16. Troubleshooting CD and DVD Drives
Talking to the World
1. Chapter 11 Getting Online
  1. Different Ways to Connect to the Internet
  2. Setting Up a Modem
  3. Subscribing to an Internet Service
  4. Setting Up an Internet Connection
  5. Dialing into the Internet
  6. Troubleshooting Online Connections
2. Chapter 12 Email
  1. Choosing an Email Program
  2. Setting Up Outlook Express
  3. Composing and Sending Email
  4. Reading and Processing Email
  5. Managing Your Address Book
  6. Email Etiquette
  7. Troubleshooting Email Problems
3. Chapter 13 Surfing the Web
  1. Choosing and Setting Up a Browser
  2. Managing Forms and Passwords
  3. Blocking Pop-up Ads and Other Nuisances
  4. Browsing the Web
  5. Viewing RSS Feeds
4. Chapter 14 Networking
  1. Choosing a Network
  2. Networking Hardware: What You Need
  3. Setting Up a Simple Home Network
  4. The Network Setup Wizard
  5. Securing Your Network
  6. Sharing an Internet Connection
  7. Sharing Printers
  8. Exchanging Files Between PCs
  9. Sharing Monitors
  10. Networking Two PCs
  11. Troubleshooting Network Problems
Maintenance, Security, and Troubleshooting
1. Chapter 15 Security
  1. Backing Up Your Computer
  2. Creating Passwords
  3. Activating Windows Update
  4. Preventing Theft
  5. Phishing
  6. Adware, Spyware, and Other Threats
  7. Installing a Firewall
2. Chapter 16 Fixing Common Problems
  1. Undeleting Deleted Files
  2. Quitting Frozen Programs
  3. System Restore
  4. Resetting Windows XP Passwords
  5. Troubleshooting Driver Problems
  6. Speeding Up a Slow PC
  7. Windows Activation
  8. Windows' Troubleshooters
3. Chapter 17 Advanced Troubleshooting
  1. Watching Your PC Start
  2. Editing the BIOS Settings
  3. Replacing Firmware
  4. Searching for Clues with Google
  5. Reverting to Old Programs
  6. Swapping Parts
  7. Microsoft's Knowledge Base
  8. Last Resort: Data Grabs with Knoppix
Appendices
1. Appendix A Setting Up a PC
  1. Removing Your PC from Its Box
  2. Choosing Your PC's Location
  3. Plugging In Accessories
  4. Activating Your PC and Windows Update
2. Appendix B Memory Cards and USB Drives
  1. Memory Cards
  2. USB Drives
  3. Troubleshooting Flash Memory
3. Appendix C Other Cool Things You Can Do Online
  1. Faxing with Your PC
  2. Gambling Online
  3. Using Google Maps
  4. Sending Greeting Cards
  5. Instant Messaging
  6. Playing Online Games
  7. Creating a Web Site
  8. Making Internet-based Phone Calls
4. Appendix D Dealing with Technical Support
  1. Getting Good Tech Support
  2. Before Contacting Tech Support
  3. Choosing Your Support
  4. Sending Your PC to the Repair Shop
5. Appendix E Packing a Laptop Bag
  1. Fully Charged Battery
  2. Power Adapter and Accessories
  3. Business Card
  4. Wireless Adapters
  5. Mouse
  6. Cables
  7. PC Card Flash Reader
  8. Manuals
  9. DVD/CDs
  10. FedEx Envelope and Airbill
  11. Skype Account

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Product Details

Title:

PCs: The Missing Manual

By:

Andy Rathbone

Publisher:

O'Reilly Media / Pogue Press

Formats:

Print
Ebook
Safari Books Online

Print Release:

December 2005

Ebook Release:

June 2009

Pages:

600

Print ISBN:

978-0-596-10093-3

| ISBN 10:

0-596-10093-0

Ebook ISBN:

978-0-596-10549-5

| ISBN 10:

0-596-10549-5

Customer Reviews

About the Author

Andy Rathbone

Andy Rathbone first wrote "Windows for Dummies" back in 1992, and since then he's updated the book for every subsequent version of the operating system. All of the editions combined have sold more than 11 million copies. He's also the author of "Upgrading and Fixing Your PC for Dummies" and "Tivo for Dummies". All told, Andy has more than 15 million books in print, making him one of the bestselling computer book writers on the planet. He's been on bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and many others.

View Andy Rathbone's full profile page.

O'Reilly Books & Videos

Your PC's Main Parts

Chapter 1 Inside Your PC

Chapter 2 Keyboards and Mice

Chapter 3 Monitors and Video

Chapter 4 Printers

Multimedia

Chapter 5 Digital Cameras, Camcorders, and Webcams

Chapter 6 Scanners

Chapter 7 Sound

Chapter 8 Digital Music Players

Storing Information

Chapter 9 Hard Drives and Floppy Drives

Chapter 10 CD and DVD Drives

Talking to the World

Chapter 11 Getting Online

Chapter 12 Email

Chapter 13 Surfing the Web

Chapter 14 Networking

Maintenance, Security, and Troubleshooting

Chapter 15 Security

Chapter 16 Fixing Common Problems

Chapter 17 Advanced Troubleshooting

Appendices

Appendix A Setting Up a PC

Appendix B Memory Cards and USB Drives

Appendix C Other Cool Things You Can Do Online

Appendix D Dealing with Technical Support

Appendix E Packing a Laptop Bag

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Andy Rathbone