Easy Computer Basics

Easy Computer Basics

by Michael Miller
Released July 2005
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 0789734206

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

Your new PC just arrived. You open the box, excited to hook it up, start surfing the web, send e-mails...and then you see all of the cords, CD-ROMs and parts that need to be connected and installed, and suddenly it doesn't seem like so much fun anymore. The instructions look even more intimidating. Don't panic! Easy Computer Basics can help. This up-to-date, full-color, highly visual guide will walk you through the entire set-up process and then show you how to use the different programs to accomplish common tasks. You'll learn how to:

  • Use Microsoft Windows, Works and Word

  • Connect to the Internet

  • Surf the web

  • Read and write e-mail

  • View and edit digital pictures

  • Download and listen to digital music

  • Add new devices, such as printers and hard drives

  • Perform basic maintenance and security tasks

    • Having a computer is supposed to be fun, so don't let its size or complexity take the fun out of your experience. Make your PC work for you with Easy Computer Basics.

    Table of contents

    1. Copyright
      1. Dedication
    2. About the Author
    3. Acknowledgments
    4. Tell Us What You Think!
    5. It's as Easy as 1-2-3
    6. Introduction to Easy Computer Basics
    7. 1. Understanding How Your Computer Works
      1. The Parts of Your Computer System
      2. Getting to Know Your System Unit
      3. Inside the Case
      4. Hard Disk Drives: Long-Term Storage
      5. CD and DVD Drives
      6. Keyboard
      7. Mouse
      8. Sound Cards and Speakers
      9. Video Cards and Monitors
      10. Printers
    8. 2. Setting up Your Computer
      1. Typical Connections
      2. Connecting the Mouse and Keyboard
      3. Connecting the Monitor
      4. Connecting the Audio System
      5. Connecting a Parallel Printer
      6. Connecting a USB Printer
      7. Connecting the Modem
      8. Connecting the System Power Cable
      9. Powering On
      10. Logging on to Windows XP
      11. Shutting Down
    9. 3. Using Microsoft Windows XP
      1. Exploring the Windows Desktop
      2. Pointing and Clicking
      3. Double-Clicking
      4. Right-Clicking
      5. Dragging and Dropping
      6. Hovering
      7. Moving a Window
      8. Scrolling a Window
      9. Resizing a Window
      10. Maximizing, Minimizing, and Closing a Window
      11. Using the Windows Start Menu
      12. Opening a Program
      13. Creating a New Shortcut on the Desktop
      14. Switching Between Programs
      15. Using Menus
      16. Using Toolbars
      17. Managing PC Resources with MY Computer
      18. Managing Windows with the Control Panel
      19. Changing the Size of Your Desktop
      20. Selecting a New Desktop Theme
      21. Personalizing the Desktop Background
      22. Changing the Color Scheme
      23. Setting up Additional Users
      24. Using a Screensaver
      25. Getting Help in Windows
    10. 4. Working with Files and Folders
      1. The MY Documents Folder
      2. Changing the way Files are Displayed
      3. Sorting Files and Folders
      4. Navigating Folders
      5. Navigating with the Folders Pane
      6. Creating a New Folder
      7. Renaming a File or Folder
      8. Copying a File or Folder
      9. Moving a File or Folder
      10. Deleting a File or Folder
      11. Restoring Deleted Files
      12. Emptying the Recycle Bin
      13. Compressing a File
      14. Extracting Files from a Compressed Folder
    11. 5. Using Microsoft Works
      1. The Works Task Launcher
      2. Launching a Program
      3. Starting a New Task
      4. Opening an Existing Document
      5. Managing a Big Project
    12. 6. Using Microsoft Word
      1. The Microsoft Word Workspace
      2. Creating a New Document
      3. Saving a Document
      4. Opening an Existing Document
      5. Entering Text
      6. Editing Text
      7. Formatting Text
      8. Formatting Paragraphs
      9. Applying Styles
      10. Checking Your Spelling
      11. Printing a Document
    13. 7. Connecting to the Internet
      1. Internet Explorer
      2. Setting up a New Internet Connection
      3. Surfing the Web with Internet Explorer
      4. Saving Your Favorite Pages
      5. Returning to a Favorite Page
      6. Revisiting History
      7. Searching the Web With Google
      8. Finding News and Other Information Online
      9. Shopping for Bargains at Shopping.com
      10. Bidding for Items on EBAY
      11. Setting up an Email Account
      12. Reading an Email Message
      13. Replying to an Email Message
      14. Composing a New Email Message
      15. Sending a File via Email
      16. Adding Contacts in Windows Messenger
      17. Instant Messaging with Windows Messenger
    14. 8. Playing Music and Movies
      1. Windows Media Player
      2. Playing a CD
      3. Ripping a CD to Your Hard Disk
      4. Creating a Playlist
      5. Playing a Playlist
      6. Burning a Music CD
      7. Connecting an Ipod to Your PC
      8. Transferring Songs to Your Ipod via Itunes
      9. Creating Smart Playlists for Your Ipod
      10. Connecting Other Portable Music Players
      11. Playing a DVD
    15. 9. Working with Pictures
      1. My Pictures Folder
      2. Transferring Pictures from a Digital Camera
      3. Transferring Pictures from a Memory Card
      4. Scanning a Picture
      5. Printing a Photo
      6. Ordering Prints Online
      7. Quick Fixing a Photo with Adobe Photoshop Elements
      8. Removing Red-Eye
      9. Cropping Your Photo
    16. 10. Adding New Devices to Your System
      1. Computer Connections
      2. Adding a Device via USB or Firewire
      3. Adding New Internal Hardware
      4. Using the Add Hardware Wizard
    17. 11. Setting up a Wireless Home Network
      1. How a Wireless Network Works
      2. Setting up Your Network's Main PC
      3. Connecting Additional PCs to Your Wireless Network
      4. Sharing Files and Folders Across Your Network
    18. 12. Protecting Your Computer
      1. Windows Security Center
      2. Defending Against Computer Attacks with a Firewall
      3. Protecting Against Computer Viruses
      4. Fighting Email Spam
      5. Cleaning Spyware from Your System
      6. Blocking Pop-Up ADs
    19. 13. Taking Care of Your Computer
      1. Windows XP's System Tools
      2. Deleting Unnecessary Files
      3. Defragmenting Your Hard Disk
      4. Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors
      5. Restoring Your Computer After a Crash
    20. Glossary

    Product information

    • Title: Easy Computer Basics
    • Author(s): Michael Miller
    • Release date: July 2005
    • Publisher(s): Que
    • ISBN: 0789734206