Book description
A Do-It-Yourself Guide To
Troubleshooting and Repairing
Your EASY, comprehensive technology troubleshooter!
PCs, smartphones, tablets, networks, cameras, home theater and more—all in one book!
We all use technology—and we all have problems with it. Don’t get frustrated… and don’t waste money on costly repair or support calls! Solve the problems yourself, with the one guide that makes it easy: The PC and Gadget Help Desk. Using clear pictures, handy “symptom tables,” and easy-to-use flowcharts, Mark Edward Soper walks you step-by-step through identifying, solving, and preventinghundreds of today’s most aggravating tech problems. Soper covers all your major platforms: iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Windows systems, and more. He even helps you fix the weird problems that happen when you use them together!
Regain lost Internet access and fix broken Wi-Fi connections
Solve problems with viewing and sharing media or other files
Track down power problems wherever they arise
Troubleshoot printing problems and print from smartphones or tablets
Fix missing video or audio on your HDTV or home theater system
Get syncing working right on your Apple or Android device
Improve your PC’s 3D gaming performance
Identify and replace flaky memory chips
Prevent overheating that can damage your equipment
Solve common problems with digital cameras and DV camcorders
Troubleshoot iOS or Android antennas, updates, screens, and connectivity
Get FaceTime working right on your iPhone or iPad
Troubleshoot eReaders and display your eBooks on additional devices
Sensibly decide whether to upgrade, repair, or replace
Mark Edward Soper has spent 30 years as an instructor and corporate trainer, helping thousands of people work more happily with personal technology. He is the author of PC Help Desk in a Book, and is the co-author of Leo Laporte’s PC Help Desk, as well as more than 25 other books on Windows, digital imaging, networking, the Internet, IT certification, and computer troubleshooting. Soper is a CompTIA A+ Certified computer technician and Microsoft Certified Professional.
BONUS ONLINE VIDEOS:Includes access to free,studio-quality how-to videosthat make troubleshooting and repair even easier!
Table of contents
- About This eBook
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents at a Glance
- Contents
- About the Author
- Dedication
- Acknowledgments
- We Want to Hear from You!
- Reader Services
-
Introduction
- Why You Need This Book
- How to Use This Book
-
How This Book Is Organized
- Chapter 1, “PC, Tablet, Mobile Device, Home Theater, Digital Camera, and Camcorder Anatomy 101”
- Chapter 2, “Upgrade, Repair, or Replace?”
- Chapter 3, “Troubleshooting Internet Problems”
- Chapter 4, “Curing Malware and Stopping Scams”
- Chapter 5, “Solving Problems with Viewing Your Photos and Videos”
- Chapter 6, “Keeping Devices Powered Up”
- Chapter 7, “Desktop Power Supply Troubleshooting”
- Chapter 8, “Fixing Windows Devices That Can’t Start”
- Chapter 9, “Solving File Sharing Problems”
- Chapter 10, “Troubleshooting Device Sharing”
- Chapter 11, “Troubleshooting Printing”
- Chapter 12, “Troubleshooting Home Theater, HDTVs, and Projectors”
- Chapter 13, “Fixing Slow 3D Gaming”
- Chapter 14, “Keeping Your Devices Updated”
- Chapter 15, “Dealing with Contrary Memory”
- Chapter 16, “Keeping Devices Cool”
- Chapter 17, “Troubleshooting Touchscreens, Keyboards, and Mice”
- Chapter 18, “Upgrading and Troubleshooting Storage Devices”
- Chapter 19, “Software Troubleshooting”
- Chapter 20, “Digital Camera Troubleshooting”
- Chapter 21, “HD Camcorder and Video Troubleshooting”
- Chapter 22, “iOS Troubleshooting”
- Chapter 23, “Android Troubleshooting”
- Chapter 24, “Troubleshooting Flowcharts”
- Glossary
-
1. PC, Tablet, Mobile Device, Home Theater, Digital Camera, and Camcorder Anatomy 101
- One Device = Many Subsystems
- Desktop and Laptop PC Subsystems
- Stop ESD—Don’t Fry Your PC!
- Desktop PC Anatomy
- Laptop and Netbook PC Anatomy
- All-in-One PC Anatomy
- Windows Tablet Anatomy
- Preparing a Windows-Based Computer or Tablet for Easier Troubleshooting
- Android Tablet and Smartphone Anatomy
- iOS Device Anatomy
- HDTV Anatomy
- Projector Anatomy
- Monitor Anatomy
- Receiver/Sound Bar Anatomy
- Digital Camera Anatomy
- Camcorder Anatomy
- 2. Upgrade, Repair, or Replace?
-
3. Troubleshooting Internet Problems
- Fast Track to Solutions
-
Speeding Up a Slow Wireless Network
- Choosing an Uncluttered Channel
- Understanding Encryption
- Wireless-N or Wireless-AC+WPA2 Encryption—Speed and Better Security
- Why WEP and WPA’s Time Is Over
- Why Some Wireless-N and AC Devices Run Faster Than Others
- Old Computer, New Router? Boosting Wi-Fi Speed
- Dealing with Slow, Insecure Devices on Your Home Network
- Setting Up a Secure Wireless Network
- Solving Signal Strength Problems
- Speeding Up a Slow Wired Network
- Airplane Mode Versus Wi-Fi Mode
- Switching Connection Types Manually
- Mobile Hotspots and Connection Security
- Switching Between Mobile and Desktop Websites
- Router Configuration
- Firmware Updates
-
4. Curing Malware and Stopping Scams
- Fast Track to Solutions
- Got Malware? What It Is and What It Does
- Malware Attacks via Your Browser
- Malware Attacks via Email
- Malware Attacks via Phone Calls from Alleged Helplines
- Malware Attacks via USB or Flash Memory
- Your Role in Stopping Malware—An Overview
- Avoiding Online and Email Scams
- Preventing and Removing Malware on Windows Devices
- Preventing and Removing Malware on iOS Devices
- Preventing and Removing Malware on Android Devices
- Repairing Malware Damage on Windows Devices
- Repairing Malware Damage on iOS or Android Devices
-
5. Solving Problems with Viewing Your Photos and Videos
- Fast Track to Solutions
- Can’t View RAW Files on Your PC
- Can’t View RAW Files on Your Android Device
- Can’t View RAW Files on Your iOS Device
- Can’t View Video on Your PC
- Can’t View Video on Your Android Device
- Can’t Play Video on Your iOS Device
- Choosing a Video Player for Your PC or Device
- Troubleshooting Codecs
- 6. Keeping Devices Powered Up
- 7. Desktop Power Supply Troubleshooting
- 8. Fixing Windows Devices That Can’t Start
- 9. Solving File Sharing Problems
- 10. Troubleshooting Device Sharing
- 11. Troubleshooting Printing
-
12. Troubleshooting Home Theater, HDTVs, and Projectors
- Fast Track to Solutions
- I Can’t See Computer or Device Display on HDTV, Projector, or Monitor
- Can’t Hear Computer Audio Through AV Receiver
- I Want to Play Music on My iOS Device Through My Receiver
- I Want to Play a Movie on My iOS Device Through a Home Theater System
- I Want to Play Music on My Android Device Through a Home Theater System
- I Want to Play a Movie on My Android Device Through a Home Theater System
- I Can’t Sync Music with my iOS or Android Device
- I Can’t Play Back Content Through AV Receiver
- I Can’t Play Back My Blu-ray Movies
- 13. Fixing Slow 3D Gaming
- 14. Keeping Your Devices Updated
- 15. Dealing with Contrary Memory
- 16. Keeping Devices Cool
-
17. Troubleshooting Touchscreens, Keyboards, and Mice
- Fast Track to Solutions
- Cleaning Mobile and PC Touchscreens
- Calibrating and Testing Touchscreens
- Updating Your Operating System or Drivers
- Choosing and Using a Stylus
- Troubleshooting Wired Mice and Keyboards
- Troubleshooting Wireless Mice and Keyboards
- Troubleshooting Bluetooth Mice and Keyboards
- Troubleshooting IR Keyboards
-
18. Upgrading and Troubleshooting Storage Devices
- Fast Track to Solutions
- Signs of Drive Problems
- Using SMART Drive Monitoring
- Checking Your Windows Drives for Errors
- Checking USB and Flash Memory Devices for Errors
- Using Format to Solve Disk Errors
- Using Drive Vendors’ Disk-Testing Software
- Recovering “Lost” Data
- Recovering Files from Optical Discs
- Freeing Up Storage Space on Your Windows Computer or Tablet
- Cloning Your Hard Disk
- Freeing Up Storage Space on Your iOS Device
- Checking Android Devices for Storage Errors
- Freeing Up Storage Space on Your Android Device
- 19. Software Troubleshooting
- 20. Digital Camera Troubleshooting
- 21. HD Camcorder and Video Troubleshooting
-
22. iOS Troubleshooting
- Fast Track to Solutions
- Can’t Make or Receive Phone Calls
- Can’t Connect to a Bluetooth Headset or Keyboard
- Wi-Fi Issues
- 4G Issues
- FaceTime Issues
- Can’t Print from Your iOS Device
- Dealing with an Overheated iOS Device
- Troubleshooting iOS Charging Issues
- Can’t View Files on a Wireless Drive
- Can’t Play or Sync Media
- Updating Your iOS Device or Apps
- Running Short of Space on Your iOS Device
- Stopping Malware in its Tracks
- Troubleshooting an iOS Device That Stops Responding
- Resetting iOS Settings to Defaults
- Troubleshooting an iOS Device That Can’t Start
- Backing Up Your iOS Device
- Erasing All Contents and Settings
- Restoring from a Backup
- Resetting Your Device to Like-New Condition
- Restarting Your Device in Recovery Mode
-
23. Android Troubleshooting
- Fast Track to Solutions
- Can’t Make or Receive Phone Calls
- Can’t Connect to a Bluetooth Device
- Wi-Fi Issues
- Can’t Print from Your Android Device
- Dealing with an Overheated Android Device
- Troubleshooting Android Charging Issues
- Can’t View Files on a Wireless Drive
- Can’t Play or Sync Media
- Updating Your Android Device or Apps
- Running Short of Space on Your Android Device
- Preventing Malware Attacks
- Backing Up Your Android Device’s Data
- Performing a Factory Reset/Restore
-
24. Troubleshooting Flowcharts
- Troubleshooting Methodology
- Summarizing the Troubleshooter’s Philosophy
- Ethernet Performance Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting a System That Won’t Start
- Troubleshooting a System That Displays Errors at Startup
- Can’t Join or Create a HomeGroup
- Troubleshooting Inkjet Print Quality
- Determining Whether a Power Supply Should Be Replaced
- Troubleshooting Blu-ray Playback Quality
- Troubleshooting Noises Inside Computer
- Troubleshooting Laptop Crashes
- Troubleshooting Wireless Keyboards
- Troubleshooting Wireless Mice
- Glossary
- Index
Product information
- Title: The PC and Gadget Help Desk: A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Troubleshooting and Repairing
- Author(s):
- Release date: October 2014
- Publisher(s): Que
- ISBN: 9780133858228
You might also like
book
Windows Installation and Update Troubleshooting
Understand, troubleshoot and repair issues with local Windows installations, automating the OS deployment and configuring updates …
book
Windows Networking Troubleshooting
Learn how to set up and configure networks to create robust connections, and how to quickly …
book
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide, Fifth Edition
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide, Fifth Edition IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software …
book
Windows Software Compatibility and Hardware Troubleshooting
As companies keep their existing hardware and operating systems for more years than ever before, the …