PCs For Dummies, 13th Edition

PCs For Dummies, 13th Edition

by Dan Gookin
Released December 2015
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119041771

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Book description

The bestselling PC reference on the planet—now available in its 13th edition

Completely updated to cover the latest technology and software, the 13th edition of PCs For Dummies tackles using a computer in friendly, human terms. Focusing on the needs of the beginning computer user, while also targeting those who are familiar with PCs, but need to get up to speed on the latest version of Windows. This hands-on guide takes the dread out of working with a personal computer.

Leaving painful jargon and confusing terminology behind, it covers Windows 9 OS, connecting to and using services and data in the cloud, and so much more. Written by Dan Gookin, the original For Dummies author, it tells you how to make a PC purchase, what to look for in a new PC, how to work with the latest operating system, ways to protect your files, what you can do online, media management tips, and even basic topics you're probably too shy to ask a friend about.

  • Determine what you need in a PC and how to set it up
  • Configure your PC, hook up a printer, and connect to the Internet
  • Find your way around Windows 9 OS with ease and confidence
  • Play movies and music, view photos, and explore social media

If you're a first-time PC user at home or at work or just need to brush up on the latest technological advancements, the new edition of this bestselling guide gets you up and running fast.

Table of contents

    1. Cover
    2. Introduction
      1. What’s New in This Edition?
      2. Where to Start
      3. Conventions Used in This Book
      4. Foolish Assumptions
      5. Icons Used in This Book
      6. Where to Go from Here
    3. Part I: Hello, PC!
      1. Chapter 1: What Is This Thing, This PC?
        1. Some Quick Questions to Get Out of the Way
        2. Basic Computer Concepts in Easily Digestible Chunks
        3. Buy Yourself a PC!
        4. What To Do With An Old Computer
        5. A Final Thing to Remember
      2. Chapter 2: The PC Knobs, Buttons, and Doodads Tour
        1. The Big Picture
        2. All Around the Console
      3. Chapter 3: PC Setup
        1. Computer Assembly
        2. The Plugging-Things-In Guide
        3. It Must Have Power
      4. Chapter 4: Both On and Off
        1. Turn On Your PC
        2. Windows, Ahoy!
        3. Turn Off the Computer
        4. Should You Leave Mr. PC On All the Time?
    4. Part II: The Nerd’s-Eye View
      1. Chapter 5: Deep Inside the Console
        1. Computer Guts
        2. King Processor
        3. Your Computer Is Also a Timepiece
      2. Chapter 6: PC Memory
        1. What Is Computer Memory?
        2. Tasty Chocolate Memory Chips
        3. Memory, One Byte at a Time
        4. Memory Q&A
      3. Chapter 7: The Mass Storage System
        1. The PC’s Mass Storage System
        2. The Mass Storage Alphabet
      4. Chapter 8: Merry Monitor Mayhem
        1. The PC’s Graphics System
        2. Show Me What Ya Got
        3. Windows Controls What You See
      5. Chapter 9: Input This!
        1. Meet Mr. Keyboard
        2. Say “Eeek!” to the Mouse
        3. Touchscreen Input
      6. Chapter 10: System Expansion
        1. It’s a Port
        2. The Versatile USB Port
        3. Expansion Slots
        4. The Bluetooth Thing
      7. Chapter 11: P Is for Printer
        1. The Printer, the Paper, the Document Maker
        2. Where the Printer Meets the PC
        3. Printer Operation
      8. Chapter 12: PC Audio Abilities
        1. The Noisy PC
        2. Sound Control in Windows
        3. Windows Goes Bleep
        4. It Listens
    5. Part III: Basic Computing
      1. Chapter 13: Relevant Parts of Windows
        1. What’s an Operating System?
        2. Windows and Its Gooey, Glorious Graphical Interface
        3. Settings and Controls
      2. Chapter 14: Programs On Your PC
        1. Software Nomenclature
        2. Run That Program
        3. Install and Remove Programs
      3. Chapter 15: Fun with Files and Folders
        1. Behold the File!
        2. Folder Folderol
        3. Manage Files Because They Can’t Manage Themselves
      4. Chapter 16: Life On the Cloud
        1. The Cloud Thing
        2. Cloud Storage
        3. Online Media
      5. Chapter 17: The Weird World of Networking
        1. Why Network?
        2. Network Hardware
        3. The Network Connection
        4. On the Network
    6. Part IV: Your Digital Life
      1. Chapter 18: An Internet Refresher
        1. What Is the Internet?
        2. Internet Access
        3. It's a World Wide Web We Weave
        4. Get Stuff from a Web Page
        5. Email Messages
      2. Chapter 19: Hello, Other Gizmo
        1. AutoPlay
        2. Connect Something to Your PC
      3. Chapter 20: Images Digital
        1. Image Resolution
        2. Digital Camera Tips
        3. The Scanner
        4. Picture Files
      4. Chapter 21: Electronic Entertainment
        1. PC Movies
        2. Your PC Is a TV
        3. Your TV Is a PC
        4. Your PC Is Your Stereo
    7. Part V: Security and Maintenance
      1. Chapter 22: System Security
        1. Tools to Fight the Bad Guys
        2. Take Action Against the Barbarian Hoard
        3. System Privacy Settings
        4. The Latest Version
      2. Chapter 23: That All-Important Safety Copy
        1. The File You Had Yesterday
        2. Compressed Folder Archives
      3. Chapter 24: Maintenance Chores
        1. Storage Utilities
        2. Network Troubleshooting
        3. Manage the PC’s Power
        4. The Windows 10 Do-Over
    8. Part VI: The Part of Tens
      1. Chapter 25: Ten PC Commandments
        1. I. Thou Shalt Not Fear Thy PC
        2. II. Thou Shalt Save Thy Work
        3. III. Thou Shalt Back Up Thy Files
        4. IV. That Shalt Not Open or Delete Things Unknownst
        5. V. Thou Shalt Not Be a Sucker
        6. VI. Thou Shalt Use Antivirus Software, Yea Verily, and Keepeth It Up-to-Date
        7. VII. Thou Shalt Upgrade Wisely
        8. VIII. Thou Shalt Compute at a Proper Posture
        9. IX. Thou Shalt Keepeth Windows Up-to-Date
        10. X. Thou Shalt Properly Shut Down Windows
      2. Chapter 26: Ten Things Worth Buying for Your PC
        1. Mouse Pad and Wrist Pad
        2. External Mass Storage
        3. Cleaning Materials
        4. Internal Expansion
        5. USB Hub and Cables
        6. Better Keyboard and Mouse
        7. An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
        8. Headset
        9. Scanner
        10. Thumb Drives and Media Cards
      3. Chapter 27: Ten Tips from a PC Guru
        1. Remember That You’re in Charge
        2. Mind Who “Helps” You
        3. Give Yourself Time to Learn
        4. Create Separate Accounts
        5. Mind What You Download
        6. Organize Your Files
        7. Don’t Reinstall Windows
        8. Shun the Hype
        9. Keep on Learning
        10. Remember Not to Take This Computer Stuff Too Seriously
    9. About the Author
    10. Cheat Sheet
    11. Advertisement Page
    12. Connect with Dummies
    13. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: PCs For Dummies, 13th Edition
  • Author(s): Dan Gookin
  • Release date: December 2015
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119041771