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PCs For Dummies® Windows®, 7 Edition

Name: PCs For Dummies® Windows®, 7 Edition
Author: Dan Gookin
ISBN: 9780470465424

by Dan Gookin

November 2009

Beginner

384 pages

7h 25m

English

For Dummies

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Copyright
About The Author
Publisher's Acknowledgments
Introduction
What's New in This Edition?Where to StartConventions Used in This BookWhat You Don't Need to ReadFoolish AssumptionsIcons Used in This BookGetting in Touch with the AuthorWhere to Go from Here
I. Hello, PC!
1. Your Computer Won't Explode
1.1. Clear Computer Concepts1.1.1. I/O1.1.2. Processing1.1.3. Storage1.2. Hardware and Software1.2.1. The computer's operating system1.2.2. Other software1.2.3. The stuff you make (files)1.3. Boring PC History1.4. An Important Thing to Remember
2. Your Basic PC Tour
2.1. The Mundane PC2.2. The Console Tour2.2.1. There is no typical console2.2.2. Major points of interest on the console, front2.2.3. Stuff found on the console's backside2.2.4. The I/O panel2.2.5. Helpful hints, hieroglyphics, and hues
3. Computer Assembly
3.1. Unpack the Boxes3.2. Set Up the Console First3.3. A General Guide to Plugging Things into the Console3.3.1. Audio3.3.2. IEEE, 1394, FireWire3.3.3. Gamepads, controllers, joysticks3.3.4. Keyboard and mouse3.3.5. Modem3.3.6. Monitor3.3.7. Network3.3.8. Printer3.3.9. USB3.3.10. Wireless gizmos3.4. It Must Have Power3.4.1. The mighty power strip3.4.2. The UPS power solution3.4.3. Using the UPS (a short play)
4. On and Off
4.1. Turn On Your PC4.2. Windows, Ahoy!4.3. Turn the Computer Off4.3.1. Log yourself off4.3.2. Lock the computer4.3.3. Switch users4.3.4. Sleep mode4.3.5. Hibernation4.3.6. Restart Windows4.3.7. Turn the darn thing off4.4. Should You Leave the Computer On All the Time?4.4.1. "I want to leave my computer off all the time"4.5. "I want to leave my computer on all the time"
5. The Windows Tour
5.1. Windows and Its Gooey, Glorious Graphical Interface5.1.1. The desktop5.1.2. The taskbar5.1.3. The Start button and Start menu5.1.4. The notification area5.2. The Control Panel5.3. Where Your Stuff Goes5.4. Windows Tries to Help You

II. The Nerd's-Eye View
6. Deep Inside the Console
6.1. Console Guts6.1.1. Looking under the hood6.1.2. Going inside the console (not recommended)6.2. The Mother of All Boards6.3. The Processor Rules6.3.1. What does the processor do?6.3.2. Name that processor!6.3.3. Processor muscle and speed6.3.4. Which processor lives in your PC?6.4. Expansion Slots6.5. Your Computer Is Also a Timepiece6.5.1. Viewing the date and time6.5.2. Setting the clock6.5.3. Using the Internet to set the clock6.6. About the PC's Battery6.7. The Chipset6.8. The Source of PC Power
7. Connect This to That
7.1. It's a Port7.2. USB, a Most Versatile Port7.2.1. Playing with USB cables7.2.2. Connecting a USB device7.2.3. Using USB-powered gizmos7.2.4. Removing a USB device7.2.5. Expanding the USB universe with hubs7.3. The IEEE or 1394 or FireWire Port7.3.1. Legacy Ports
8. PC Memory
8.1. What Is Computer Memory?8.1.1. Delicious Chocolate Memory Chips8.2. Measuring Memory One Byte at a Time8.3. Memory Q&A8.3.1. "How much memory is in my PC right now?"8.3.2. "Do I have enough memory?"8.3.3. "Does my PC have enough memory?"8.3.4. "Can I test whether my PC has enough memory?"8.3.5. "Can I add memory to my PC?"8.3.6. "Will the computer ever run out of memory?"8.3.7. "What is virtual memory?"8.3.8. "What is video memory?"8.3.9. "What are kibi, mebi, and gibi?"
9. The Mass Storage System
9.1. What Is Mass Storage?9.1.1. Storage media roundup9.1.2. Mass storage technical drivel9.2. The Hard Disk Drive9.3. The Optical Drive9.3.1. Observe the optical drive9.3.2. The speed rating (the X number)9.3.3. All about optical discs9.3.4. Put the disc into the drive9.3.5. Eject the disc9.4. Media Cards and Flash Drives9.4.1. The media card reader9.4.2. Media card roundup9.4.3. Insert a media card or thumb drive9.4.4. Eject a media card or thumb drive9.4.5. When the media card is canceled9.5. External Storage9.5.1. Adding external storage9.5.2. Removing external storage9.6. Permanent Storage ABCs9.6.1. Describing and naming storage devices9.6.2. Assigning storage devices a drive letter
10. The PC's Display
10.1. The PC's Display System10.1.1. The monitor10.1.2. The display adapter10.2. Merry Monitor Mayhem10.2.1. The physical description10.2.2. Adjust the monitor's display10.2.3. The second monitor10.3. Windows Controls What You See10.3.1. Setting display size (resolution)10.3.2. Going for a new look10.3.3. Saving the screen
11. Input This!
11.1. Meet Mr. Keyboard11.1.1. The keyboard connection11.1.2. A typical PC keyboard11.1.3. Modifier keys11.1.4. Keys that are also locks11.1.5. Useful-key tour11.1.6. Weird-key tour11.1.7. Keys for doing math11.2. Control the Keyboard in Windows11.3. Say Hello to the Mouse11.3.1. Connecting the mouse11.3.2. Basic mouse parts11.3.3. Other mouse species11.4. Mouse Maneuvers11.5. Control the Mouse in Windows11.5.1. Making the pointer easier to find11.5.2. Fixing the double-click11.5.3. Using the mouse left-handed11.6. The Fun Input Gizmos
12. P Is for Printer
12.1. The Printer, the Paper, the Document Maker12.1.1. Types of computer printers12.1.2. The basic printer tour12.1.3. The printer's control panel12.1.4. The printer drinks ink12.1.5. The printer eats paper12.1.6. Types of paper12.2. Printer Setup12.2.1. Connecting the printer12.2.2. Finding the printer in Windows12.2.3. Manually adding a printer12.2.4. Setting the default printer12.3. Basic Printer Operation12.3.1. Setting the margins12.3.2. Printing in reverse order12.3.3. Stopping a printer run amok
13. PC Audio Abilities
13.1. The Noisy PC13.1.1. Speakers hither and thither13.1.2. In your own world with headphones13.1.3. Microphone options13.2. Sound Control in Windows13.2.1. Configuring the speakers13.2.2. Configuring the microphone13.2.3. Adjusting the volume13.3. Windows Goes Bleep13.3.1. Setting event sounds13.3.2. Recording your own sounds
14. PC Leftovers
14.1. Manage the PC's Power14.1.1. Choosing a power-management plan14.1.2. Adding a hibernation option14.1.3. Power-saving options for battery-powered PCs14.2. Merry Modems14.2.1. Modem speed14.2.2. The dialup modem
III. Communications, Sharing, Networking
15. Necessary Networking Things
15.1. The Network Arena15.2. Network Hardware15.2.1. Saint NIC15.2.2. Network hoses15.2.3. Not network hoses15.2.4. The router15.2.5. The modem15.3. Network Software15.3.1. Getting to Network Central15.3.2. Connecting to a wired network15.3.3. Connecting to a wireless network15.3.4. Disconnecting from a network
16. Basic Networking Stuff
16.1. Network Fun in Windows16.1.1. Browsing the network16.1.2. Turning on network discovery16.1.3. Viewing the network map16.2. HomeGroup Sharing16.2.1. Creating a HomeGroup16.2.2. Joining a HomeGroup16.2.3. Using the HomeGroup16.2.4. Disconnecting from a HomeGroup16.3. Traditional Network Sharing16.3.1. Configuring Windows to share16.3.2. Sharing a folder16.3.3. Accessing a network folder
17. The Internet Quick and Dirty
17.1. What Is the Internet?17.2. How to Access the Internet17.2.1. Choosing an ISP17.2.2. Configuring Windows for the Internet17.2.3. Connecting to the Internet17.3. It's a World Wide Web We Weave17.3.1. Browsing tips17.3.2. Printing Web pages17.3.3. Searching-the-Web tips17.4. E-Mail Call!17.4.1. Downloading an e-mail program17.4.2. Getting the most from e-mail
18. Flinging Files
18.1. Get Stuff from a Web Page18.1.1. Saving an image from a Web page18.1.2. Grabbing text from a Web page18.2. Free Software on the Internet18.2.1. Finding programs on the Web18.2.2. Downloading a program18.2.3. Installing from a Compressed Folder18.3. E-Mail File Attachments18.3.1. Receiving an e-mail attachment18.3.2. Sending an e-mail attachment
IV. Basic Computing
19. Be Safe Out There
19.1. Fight the Bad Guys19.2. Internet Explorer Tools19.2.1. Blocking pop-ups19.2.2. Phighting phishing19.3. The Action Center19.3.1. Windows Firewall19.3.2. Windows Defender19.3.3. Antivirus protection19.3.4. User Account Control warnings
20. Know What a File Is
20.1. Behold the File!20.1.1. The guts of a file20.1.2. Things that describe a file20.1.3. Files dwell in folders20.2. Filenames20.2.1. Choosing the best name20.2.2. Obeying the filenaming rules20.3. File Types and Icons20.3.1. What's a filename extension?20.3.2. Filename extension details20.3.3. How to see or hide the filename extension20.3.4. Icons20.4. How Files Are Born
21. Organizing Files with Folders
21.1. About Folders21.2. Famous Folders21.2.1. The root folder21.2.2. Subfolders and parent folders21.2.3. A place for your stuff21.3. Manage Your Folders21.3.1. Using Windows Explorer21.3.2. Working with folders21.3.2.1. Opening a folder21.3.2.2. Returning to the parent folder21.3.2.3. Creating a new folder21.3.3. Working with libraries21.3.3.1. Viewing libraries21.3.3.2. Building a new library21.4. The Open Dialog Box
22. Files Managed
22.1. Files Ready for Action22.1.1. Selecting all files in a folder22.1.2. Selecting a random smattering of files22.1.3. Selecting a swath of files in a row22.1.4. Lassoing a group of files22.1.5. Unselecting stuff22.2. Stuff You Do with Files22.2.1. Copying a file22.2.2. Moving a file22.2.3. Creating a shortcut22.2.4. Deleting files22.2.5. Bringing dead files back to life22.2.6. Renaming files22.3. Finding Lost Files22.4. That All-Important Safety Copy
23. Software Installed, Uninstalled, and Upgraded
23.1. Installing Software23.2. Running a Program23.2.1. The Start button menu23.2.2. The pin areas23.2.3. The desktop shortcut icon23.3. Uninstalling Software23.4. Updating and Upgrading23.4.1. Windows Update23.4.2. "Should I upgrade Windows?"
V. Your Digital Life
24. Your Personal Disc Factory
24.1. Disc Creation Overview24.2. Make a Data Disc24.2.1. Preparing the disc for use24.2.2. Working with a USB Flash Drive/Live File Format disc24.2.3. Working with a CD/DVD Player/Mastered disc24.2.4. Using the Burn button24.2.5. Erasing an RW disc24.2.6. Labeling the disc24.2.7. Disposing of a disc
25. The Whole Digital Photography Thing
25.1. The Digital Camera25.1.1. Connecting a digital camera25.1.2. Importing images25.2. The Scanner25.2.1. Introducing the scanner25.2.2. Scanning an image25.3. Picture Files25.3.1. Storing pictures in Windows25.3.2. Viewing pictures in Windows25.3.3. Changing picture file formats25.4. Image Resolution25.4.1. Setting resolution25.4.2. Choosing the best resolution
26. Video on the PC
26.1. PC Movies26.1.1. Storing video in Windows26.1.2. Viewing a video26.1.3. Getting the video into your PC26.1.4. Editing video26.2. Your PC Is a TV26.3. Connecting a TV tuner26.3.1. Configuring Windows Media Center26.3.2. Watching television26.3.3. Recording television26.3.4. Watching recorded TV26.3.5. Burning a DVD from recorded TV26.3.6. Purging recorded TV
27. Music to Your Digital Ear
27.1. Your PC Is Now Your Stereo27.1.1. Running Windows Media Player27.1.2. Inserting a musical CD27.1.3. Collecting tunes27.1.4. Creating a playlist27.1.5. Taking your music with you27.1.6. Making your own music CDs27.2. The PC Can Talk and Listen27.2.1. Babbling Windows27.2.2. Dictating to the PC
28. Sharing Your Life Online
28.1. Social Networking28.1.1. Sharing your life on Facebook28.1.1.1. Sign up28.1.1.2. Find some friends28.1.1.3. Publish your thoughts28.1.1.4. Upload a picture or video28.1.2. Tweeting your thoughts28.2. Share Your Photos Online28.2.1. Finding a free site28.2.2. Signing up for the site28.2.3. Uploading images28.2.4. Sharing your images28.3. Your Video Life28.3.1. Creating a YouTube account28.3.2. Uploading a video to YouTube28.3.3. Sharing your videos
29. Kid-Safe Computing
29.1. An Account for Junior29.1.1. Setting up your Administrator account29.1.2. Confirming your Administrator account29.1.3. Adding an account for Junior29.1.4. Configuring Junior's account29.2. Parental Controls29.2.1. Setting time limits29.2.2. Controlling access to games29.2.3. Blocking programs29.3. PC Parenting29.3.1. Spying on your kids29.3.2. Dealing with a cyberbully
VI. The Part of Tens
30. Ten PC Commandments
30.1. I. Thou Shalt Not Fear Thy PC30.2. II. Thou Shalt Save Thy Work30.3. III. Thou Shalt Back Up Thy Files30.4. IV. That Shalt Not Open or Delete Things Unknownst30.5. V. Thou Shalt Not Be a Sucker30.6. VI. Thou Shalt Use Antivirus Software, Yea Verily, and Keepeth It Up-to-Date30.7. VII. Thou Shalt Upgrade Wisely30.8. VIII. Thou Shalt Compute at a Proper Posture30.9. IX. Thou Shalt Keepeth Windows Up-to-Date30.10. X. Thou Shalt Properly Shut Down Windows
31. Ten Tips from a PC Guru
31.1. Remember That You're in Charge31.2. Mind Who "Helps" You31.3. Give Yourself Time to Learn31.4. Create Separate Accounts31.5. Use a UPS31.6. Consider Some Hardware Upgrades31.7. Avoid Crying "Wolf" in E-Mail31.8. Don't Reinstall Windows31.9. Shun the Hype31.10. Remember Not to Take This Computer Stuff Too Seriously

Overview

Get the latest edition of the bestselling PC book on the planet!

What better way to make friends with your new PC than with this new edition of the bestselling PC book in the world? PCs For Dummies, Windows 7 Edition explains the latest Windows operating system in a refreshingly jargon-free way that's loaded with good humor and great help.

Discover how to make your PC safe for your kids, get in touch with your digital life, use flash drives, learn about green computing, and much more.

Dan Gookin, author of the original DOS For Dummies, helped launch the worldwide popularity of the series; his books have been translated in 32 languages and have more than 12 million copies in print
This guide gets you up to speed on the latest PC hardware and software and covers all the innovations and changes in Windows 7, all without the boring jargon
Covers making your PC safe for kids, organizing your digital life, green computing, storage on memory cards and flash drives, online photo sharing, and much more

Make your life easier the Dummies way with PCs For Dummies, Windows 7 Edition.

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